Police still victim blaming in grooming gang cases, watchdog finds – The Guardian

Posted December 8th, 2023 in child abuse, children, inquiries, news, ombudsmen, police, sexual grooming, sexual offences, victims by michael

‘The inquiry by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) comes more than a decade after scandals in Rotherham and Rochdale came to light, revealing failings by the authorities that left gangs of men free to attack vulnerable young girls.’

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The Guardian, 8th December 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Colin Pitchfork: Double child murderer denied prison release – BBC News

Posted December 7th, 2023 in children, dangerous offenders, murder, news, parole by michael

‘[The Parole Board] had ruled Pitchfork could be released in June, but concerns about the danger he posed caused Justice Secretary Alex Chalk to intervene, making what is known as an “application for reconsideration” in July.’

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BBC News, 7th December 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Met Police officer cleared after Tasering girl, 10 – BBC News

Posted December 1st, 2023 in children, disciplinary procedures, firearms, news, police, professional conduct by tracey

‘A Met officer who Tasered a 10-year-old girl twice after she threatened her mother with garden shears has been cleared of gross misconduct.’

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BBC News, 30th November 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Father who saw toddler daughter killed by runaway Range Rover fighting to close legal loophole – The Independent

‘The father of a one-year-old girl killed by a runaway car says he’ll never stop fighting for a change in the law after the driver was not prosecuted due to a “loophole” in the legal system.’

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The Independent, 29th November 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

High Court grants permission for legal challenge over lack of legal aid for school exclusion appeals – Local Government Lawyer

‘The High Court has granted permission for a claimant to challenge the lack of legal aid for appeals before an Independent Review Panel (IRP), the independent body that reviews the lawfulness of permanent exclusions.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 29th November 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Medics quitting jobs over ‘distress caused by rightwing Christian group’ – The Guardian

Posted November 29th, 2023 in appeals, children, Christianity, doctors, families, intimidation, medical treatment, news by sally

‘Medics treating critically ill babies are quitting their jobs owing to “considerable moral distress” caused by a rightwing Christian group behind a series of end-of-life court cases, the Guardian has been told.’

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The Guardian, 27th November 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Lucy Letby public inquiry formally opened by judge – BBC News

Posted November 23rd, 2023 in birth, children, hospitals, inquiries, murder, news, nurses by sally

‘The public inquiry into serial killer Lucy Letby’s crimes has formally begun although hearings may not begin until next autumn.’

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BBC News, 22nd November 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Workington parents jailed for death of baby Dallas Kelly – BBC News

‘A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his four-month-old son.’

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BBC News, 21st November 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Home Office publishes new policy instruction on lifting NRPF conditions for those on student leave following concession in test case – Garden Court Chambers

‘Following judicial review proceedings brought by a destitute woman and her one-year-old daughter who were denied access to public funds, the Home Office has published a new policy instruction setting out the circumstances in which no recourse to public funds (‘NRPF’) conditions will be lifted for those on student leave.’

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Garden Court Chambers, 10th October 2023

Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk

‘I paid £30k to protect my child from her paedophile dad’ – BBC News

‘When her daughter’s father was sent to prison for child sexual abuse, Bethan was horrified to discover he could still be allowed access to their child after he was released. It was a risk she wasn’t willing to take. Outside a Cardiff courtroom, a smartly dressed young woman sits waiting, anxiously. Bethan has never been inside a family court before, but she is here to try to protect her child – whose father has been convicted of paedophile offences and is currently in jail.’

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BBC News, 20th November 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ofcom provides detail on Online Safety Act ‘illegal harms’ regime – OUT-LAW.com

Posted November 17th, 2023 in children, codes of practice, internet, news by tracey

‘Online content platforms operating in the UK should study recent publications issued by Ofcom to get a better handle on how the Online Safety Act will apply to them, and what they can do to meet the new legal requirements around addressing illegal content.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 16th November 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Immigration Blog: Age Assessments – More Than Just a Number – Garden Court Chambers

Posted November 16th, 2023 in asylum, chambers articles, children, deportation, detention, immigration, news by sally

‘In the immigration rules (352ZD) the definition of an Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Child (“UASC”) is broad and aimed at child protection. It expressly includes children who lodged their claim whilst they were under 18 (even if they have since turned 18); their age is set in time at point of entry. This is no longer the case under section 4 IMA. On 5 July 2023, the government published a children’s rights impact assessment of the IMA, finding that it would “protect children from the risk of death, trafficking.” The Children’s Commissioner responded: “I am far from convinced that is the case. Indeed, I am concerned that the threat to a child of deportation at 18 will be a gift to traffickers, as children will feel less able to seek help from professionals and instead go missing into the hands of exploiters.”’

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Garden Court Chambers, 2nd October 2023

Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk

Delay for children as result of longer case durations is “single most pressing issue” for family justice system, warns Cafcass in new strategic plan – Local Government Lawyer

Posted November 16th, 2023 in children, delay, families, family courts, news by sally

‘The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) has published its strategic plan for 2023-26, in which it warns that delay for children as a result of longer case durations is now the “single most pressing issue” for the family justice system.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 14th November 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Council granted leave to make application for change in forename of child, subject to outcome of care order application – Local Government Lawyer

Posted November 16th, 2023 in care orders, children, families, local government, names, news by sally

‘The High Court has granted leave to a local authority to make an application to change an eight-month old’s registered forename.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 16th November 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Olivia’s killer plans conviction appeal after losing minimum term challenge – The Independent

Posted November 16th, 2023 in appeals, children, imprisonment, murder, news, sentencing by sally

‘Thomas Cashman failed in a bid to challenge his 42-year sentence for the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel at the Court of Appeal on Wednesday.’

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The Independent, 15th November 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Church of England takes next step towards redress for abuse victims – The Independent

‘The Church of England has taken its next step towards putting in place a “robust” scheme to deliver apologies and compensation to abuse victims.’

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The Independent, 15th November 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Senior officer in Stephen Lawrence case was ‘corrupt’, Met document claims – The Guardian

Posted November 15th, 2023 in bereavement, children, corruption, murder, news, perjury, police, professional conduct, racism by sally

‘A former Scotland Yard intelligence chief should face a new investigation into alleged perjury, the mother of Stephen Lawrence has said, after the unearthing of documents claiming he was corrupt.’

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The Guardian, 14th November 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Mother whose baby died in prison calls for end to pregnant women being jailed – The Independent

‘A mother whose baby died when she gave birth alone in her prison cell has urged ministers to stop sending pregnant women to jail.’

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The Independent, 14th November 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Mothers who kill: A look at infanticide – Doughty Street Chambers

Posted November 14th, 2023 in birth, child neglect, children, homicide, murder, news, pregnancy, prosecutions by sally

‘Murders where mothers kill their babies are thankfully rare, however recent cases raise questions about the legal framework surrounding this offence, and whether laws concerning murder, manslaughter and infanticide are applied in a way that protects not only vulnerable children but also vulnerable women.’

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Doughty Street Chambers, 9th October 2023

Source: insights.doughtystreet.co.uk

How should schools and colleges investigate allegations of sexual assault against its staff? – Local Government Lawyer

‘Investigating allegations against staff is one of the most challenging issues for schools and colleges. Some lessons can be learned from a recent case, writes Joanne Moseley.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 10th November 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk