Sion Jenkins the man formerly charged of the brutal murder of Billie- Jo Jenkins has this week been denied compensation for the time he spent imprisoned for the crime he was cleared of. Mr Jenkins was imprisoned for six years after being convicted of brutally murdering Billie- Jo by battering her to death with a hooked metal pole in February 1997.
The wife of Mr Jenkins has now described how it is ‘virtually impossible,’ to prove her husband is innocent and that he had no part in the brutal murder of his then foster daughter. Tina Jenkins’ comments came after Sion Jenkins was refused his claim for compensation this week.
The amount of compensation he reportedly requested was 500,000 but this has been rejected by Mrs Jenkins who claimed her husband is only interested in finding the person truly responsible for the murder now.
The claim had been rejected by the Ministry of Justice because applicants are required to prove that they are, ‘clearly innocent,’ for them to be able to receive compensation.
Mr Jenkins has maintained his innocence all the way through the trail and insisted that Billie Jo had been killed by an intruder when he was out at a diy store. Three trials later and two separate appeals later his conviction was overturned and he was freed in 2006.
According to Mrs Jenkins the, ‘goal posts,’ regarding the compensation has been moved and her husband is instead pursuing a search for the real killer now.
“They know [proving innocence] can’t be done; you can never prove innocence. It used to be that you were innocent until proven guilty.”
When he was asked whether or not he thought receiving the compensation would clear his name in the general public’s opinion. He insisted that he thought it would carry no weight.
The submitting of the compensation claim by Mr Jenkins has been heavily criticised by Billie Jo’s biological father’s widow.
A spokesman for Sussex Police force yesterday said: “The murder of Billie-Jo Jenkins in 1997 remains an unresolved case and is therefore subject to review in the event of any new and compelling evidence coming to light.
“We will continue actively to pursue any viable lines of inquiry put to us, but none have emerged.
If you are seeking compensation injury claim then a no win no fee solicitor will be able to help you with each step of the process.
