A WATFORD man was awarded compensation for damage to his shop 12 years ago but is still waiting for it to be paid in full.

Vittorio Alcorano, 65, of Whippendell Road, has only received £25 of the £235 he is owed, but says he has had no explanation from West Hertfordshire Magistrates' Court as to why.

Mr Alcorano was awarded the compensation after a man criminally damaged his shop in 1993.

The man was sentenced to a 180-hour community service order and had to pay the compensation under the supervision of the clerk of the court.

Mr Alcorano was subsequently informed in 1994 by the court that the man was serving a term of detention at a young offenders institute and the remaining £210 of compensation would be payed after his release.

Mr Alcorano said: "It is not really the money but the principle.

"They could be doing this to other people."

He has visited the court seven times in the past three years to try to find out what has happened.

He said he will not be bothering to go back any more, but that people should know what has happened.

A spokesperson for the court said: "In every case there are processes and procedures that are followed."