Crossword Genius

Fixes penalties following case of damage (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

defines

'fixes' is the definition.
(I know this)

'penalties following case of damage' is the wordplay.
'penalties' becomes 'fines' (fine is a kind of penalty).
'following' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'case of' means to remove the middle letters (outsides of).
'damage' with its centre removed is 'de'.
'fines' after 'de' is 'DEFINES'.

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times.
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