A CONVICTED killer, who blamed his violent rage on the trauma of surviving the Paddington rail crash, has no right to claim compensation, the House of Lords ruled yesterday.

Kerrie Gray, 49, was locked up for manslaughter after he admitted stabbing John Boultwood to death in August 2001.

But last year, the Court of Appeal ruled he could claim up to £300,000 damages for “loss of earnings” as he is being detained indefinitely at Runwell Hospital, Wickford.

His lawyers argue Thames Trains and Network Rail, which accepted liability for the physical and mental injuries suffered by Gray, should compensate him.

They say Gray was previously “perfectly normal” and underwent a drastic personality change following the 1999 train crash in which 31 people died.

After the crash, Gray began suffering from depression, anxiety and uncontrollable anger. This led to him killing 42-year-old welder Mr Boultwood after he wandered, drunkenly, into the path of Gray’s car.

Gray, at the time of the attack, kicked and punched his victim before driving to the house of his partner’s parents to get a kitchen knife.

He then stabbed Mr Boultwood, who lived in Tilbury, several times.

Yesterday, the Law Lords overturned the Court of Appeal’s decision, stating it was important to uphold the principle no one should profit from a criminal act.

Lord Hoffmann said: “His claims for loss of earnings after his arrest, and for general damages for his detention, conviction and damage to reputation, are all claims for damage caused by the lawful sentence imposed on him for manslaughter.”

The Lords also ruled Gray, who lived in Byron Gardens, Tilbury, should not be able to claim damages for his feelings of guilt or remorse, nor should he be protected from any claims against him by Mr Boultwood’s relatives.

Speaking outside court, Gray’s solictor Des Collins said: “Thames Trains and Network Rail avoid a claim, for future loss of earnings, by a man they have undeniably damaged.

“Prior to the accident, Mr Gray was a man who avoided confrontation.

“However, the train crash brought about a significant personality change and the homicide was a direct result of that train crash.”

The case will now go to the High Court for further argument over Gray’s entitlement to damages for the period of time between the train crash and the stabbing.