A BRITISH woman who was sexually assaulted while sleeping on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to London has hit out at government rules disqualifying her from a compensation scheme.

The 66-year-old perpetrator Momade Jussab, of Feltham, west London, was arrested on arrival at Gatwick last September and jailed for six-and-a-half years in May.

The Civil Aviation Act was updated in 1996 to ensure criminal acts on foreign planes bound for Britain can be prosecuted in its criminal courts.

The young victim was however denied a payout through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme because the incident happened on a plane that was not registered in Britain.

The woman, in her twenties, from London, said: “I do not understand why I, and other victims like me, have been excluded from the CIC Scheme.

“I was attacked on a flight en route to the UK, I am a UK citizen, and this crime was investigated and prosecuted by British authorities.

“I should be entitled to compensation, and being excluded from the scheme is unfair and illogical.

“I am still suffering with the effects of the attack and want to move forward with my life.”

Law firm Leigh Day, representing her, has written to Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, urging her to close what it believes is a gap in the law.

Leigh Day solicitor Claire Powell said: “It is a gap that needs closing urgently and we trust the justice secretary will agree, particularly in light of this government’s commitment to addressing violence against women and girls.”

The Ministry of Justice said that rules for compensation are “set by Parliament [and] other routes are available for victims to receive support.”