The father of a man who was murdered outside his own home in Sunderland has been told that he cannot claim compensation for his son’s death on the grounds that his son fought back against his attackers.

Twenty-two-year-old Kevin Johnson was stabbed to death by youths outside his home in 2007 when he confronted the mob for making a noise that kept his baby awake.

His father, John Johnson, has stated how he has tried, on two occasions, to claim compensation for his son’s death, but on both occasions he was denied by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). He is now appealing later this month in Newcastle.

Mr Johnson stated:

This is what the letters say – if Kevin hadn’t left the safety of his home he wouldn’t have died.

This is absolutely right. But he wanted to move those toerags on and he was hailed as a hero by the Chief Constable of Northumbria Police for his actions.

And then they turn round and say that because of that we don’t qualify for compensation?

I’m determined to keep going with this. These rules and regulations need to be changed.

The first letter Mr Johnson received rejected his claim for compensation for the sum of £11,000. He has also had two appeals against the decision rejected.

Mr Johnson contributed to the Enough Is Enough campaign, which is a campaign against knife crime. He presented a petition to Downing Street that was signed by 35,000 people requesting tougher sentences for those convicted of knife crimes.

The three men who murdered Kevin Johnson, Dean Curtis, Tony Hawkes and Jordan Towers, all received life sentences for their part in his death.

A spokesperson for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority added:

We consider all available evidence in reaching our decisions.

If an applicant does not think their case was assessed fairly, they can apply to have it reviewed.