What is a deepfake and why does the government want to make them illegal? – The Independent

‘The creation of sexually explicit “deepfake” images is to be made a criminal offence under new legislation, the Ministry of Justice has announced.’

Full Story

The Independent, 16th April 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Creating ‘deepfake’ sexual images to be criminal offence under new legislation – The Independent

Posted April 16th, 2024 in amendments, bills, consent, criminal justice, internet, news, obscenity, privacy by tracey

‘Creating a sexually explicit “deepfake” image is to be made an offence under new legislation, the Ministry of Justice has announced..’

Full Story

The Independent, 16th April 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Free to kill: At least 21 men released on bail went on to attack women – The Independent

Posted April 15th, 2024 in bail, criminal justice, domestic violence, murder, news, recidivists, statistics, women by tracey

‘At least 21 men were left free to kill women after being released on bail over the course of a three-year period, figures have revealed. Campaigners have said “the system isn’t fit for purpose” and called for more to be done to protect women and girls after the shocking figures were uncovered.’

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The Independent, 14th April 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Assault of shop workers to be made specific criminal offence – BBC News

Posted April 10th, 2024 in assault, bills, criminal justice, news, sentencing by sally

‘Assaulting a shop worker will be made a separate criminal offence in England and Wales as part of a government response to a wave of retail crime.’

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BBC News, 10th April 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Shoplifting crackdown to include £55m for facial recognition tools in England and Wales – The Guardian

Posted April 10th, 2024 in assault, bills, criminal justice, facial mapping, news, theft by sally

‘The government is investing more than £55m in expanding facial recognition systems – including vans that will scan crowded high streets – as part of a renewed crackdown on shoplifting.’

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The Guardian, 10th April 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

MPs propose decriminalising abortion up to 24 weeks – The Guardian

Posted April 8th, 2024 in abortion, bills, criminal justice, human rights, news, women by tracey

‘A cross-party group of MPs is proposing to make abortion access a human right in England and Wales, putting forward legislation that would decriminalise abortion up to 24 weeks and introduce protections against access being stripped back.’

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The Guardian, 8th April 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

New UK laws to curb ‘disruptive protests’ come into force – The Independent

‘New public order powers to prevent “disruptive” protests in the UK will come into force from Friday [5th April].’

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The Independent, 5th April 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Keynote speech by Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb at the South Eastern Circuit: Mental Health, Diversion and Crime Speeches – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted April 2nd, 2024 in criminal justice, judiciary, mental health, news, sentencing, speeches by tracey

‘Keynote speech by Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb at the South Eastern Circuit: Mental Health, Diversion and Crime.’

Full speech

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Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 21st March 2024

Source: www.judiciary.uk

Crackdown on ‘gagging orders’ to protect victims’ ability to access support – Ministry of Justice

‘Victims will no longer be prevented from accessing support or legal advice under plans to crack down on the misuse of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).’

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Ministry of Justice, 28th March 2024

Source: www.gov.uk

More synthetic opioids banned to protect communities – Home Office

‘Fifteen additional synthetic opioids are now under the strictest controls to prevent drug related deaths and ensure anyone caught supplying them faces tough penalties.’

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Home Office, 20th March 2024

Source: www.gov.uk

Lady Chief Justice: Kalisher lecture 2024 – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted March 25th, 2024 in criminal justice, judges, news, rule of law, speeches by tracey

‘This evening, on Tuesday 19 March 2024, Baroness Carr of Walton-On-The-Hill, Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, delivered this year’s Kalisher lecture titled “To Know The Law And Observe It Well – Magna Carta And Criminal Justice”.’

Full lecture

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Courts and Tribunals Judiciary , 19th March 2024

Source: www.judiciary.uk

Policing domestic abuse: the onus on first responders – Policing and Society

Posted March 20th, 2024 in criminal justice, domestic violence, news, police by sally

‘The police first responder has a central role in the multi-agency response to domestic abuse in most jurisdictions and is uniquely placed to solicit information from the victim-survivor about the experiences and behaviours they have witnessed first-hand. The College of Policing advises that first response officers have a dual role when attending domestic callouts: to recognise signs of abuse and prevent offences from occurring, and identify criminal offences so that offenders can be brought to justice. The frontline encounter by police is a pivotal moment for myriad reasons. Sharing results and reflections from our experiences of evaluating a number of innovative approaches to the policing of domestic abuse in the UK context, we illustrate the onus placed on the police first responder. In the effort to improve the overall criminal justice response to domestic abuse, we argue that a greater appreciation of this onus is needed amongst all criminal justice and multi-agency practitioners. Furthermore, we argue that greater support for police first responders is needed to improve outcomes for all following this encounter.’

Full Story

Policing and Society, 12th March 2024

Source: www.tandfonline.com

How sex abusers who target their own children keep parental rights – and the mothers fighting back – The Independent

‘A mother is desperate to change her child’s surname – so that they no longer share it with their criminal father. But Emily* is being blocked from doing so by her ex, despite the fact that he is a convicted child sex offender. Her predicament is not unique. Under English and Welsh law, child sex abusers are able to keep their parental rights in the UK, even if they target their own children. This allows them to retain influence over where the child lives, as well as their healthcare and education.’

Full Story

The Independent, 17th March 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Woman whose baby was stillborn in HMP Styal praises sentencing changes – The Guardian

‘A former prisoner who gave birth to a stillborn baby in a jail toilet has welcomed changes that campaigners hope will reduce the number of pregnant women locked up, as a “legacy” for the daughter she lost.’

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The Guardian, 18th March 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Sentencing Council to make changes to manslaughter guidelines and introduce new guidance for sentencing pregnant offenders – Sentencing Council

‘Changes to a number of sentencing guidelines have been published by the Sentencing Council following a consultation on miscellaneous amendments. The changes, which will come into effect on 1 April 2024, include amendments to the manslaughter guidelines made in response to recommendations in the Domestic Homicide Sentencing Review and the introduction of a new, dedicated mitigating factor providing guidance for courts on sentencing pregnant offenders and new mothers.’

Full Story

Sentencing Council, 18th March 2024

Source: www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk

Plans to release prisoners early ‘endangers domestic abuse victims’ – The Independent

‘Fears have been raised that plans to release prisoners on short sentences up to two months early leave victims of domestic abuse at grave risk.’

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The Independent, 12th March 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Post Office scandal victims convictions to be quashed – BBC News

‘A new law will be introduced on Wednesday to clear the names of the hundreds of sub-postmasters wrongly convicted in the Post Office scandal.’

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BBC News, 13th March 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Crown Prosecution Service lawyers trivialise teen sexual abuse, report says – The Guardian

‘Lawyers in the Crown Prosecution Service in England and Wales have trivialised teen sexual abuse, are “obsessed” about the credibility of rape victims and used victim-blaming language, according to a critical official examination into how the service deals with serious sexual crimes.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 11th March 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

An interesting sentencing exercise – St Pauls Chambers

‘On 4.2.24 CLOWES was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment suspended for 2 years for gross negligence manslaughter.’

Full Story

St Pauls Chambers, 28th February 2024

Source: www.stpaulschambers.com

Years of delays to rape trials a ‘significant injustice’, says judge – The Guardian

Posted March 6th, 2024 in criminal justice, Crown Court, delay, news, rape, sexual offences, victims by sally

‘More than 180 alleged rape victims in England and Wales have faced more than two years of delays since their case first went to court, with a senior judge announcing plans to clear the “serious stain” on the justice system by the end of July.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 6th March 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com