‘Victims’ organisations are to press for closer involvement in the government’s review of falling rape prosecutions, warning that complainants’ credibility and sexual history are increasingly being made the focus of trials.’
The Guardian, 8th May 2019
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Recorded rape offences have been rising in England and Wales, but the proportion of offences making it to court has fallen significantly over the past few years.’
BBC News, 29th April 2019
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Recorded rapes have increased by 15%, but recent figures show only one-third of cases referred to the CPS led to charges being brought. ‘Rebecca’ discusses her experience, while the Guardian’s Alexandra Topping looks at why prosecution rates have dropped.’
The Guardian, 18th April 2019
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A former soldier is to be prosecuted over the murder of a teenage boy, who was shot twice in the head in Derry in 1972.’
The Independent, 15th April 2019
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘The Crown Prosecution Service has come under fire for waiting nearly a year and a half to charge a man accused of raping a 12-year-old boy despite him admitting to the crime.’
The Guardian, 25th March 2019
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Paedophiles caught in undercover stings by vigilantes are to face tougher charges under new rules being introduced by prosecutors.’
Daily Telegraph, 18th March 2019
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘Guidance for prosecutors on dealing with defendants with mental health issues has been updated to reflect growing understanding of different conditions, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has announced today. The revised guidance is designed to assist decision making throughout the life of a criminal case, from the initial decision to prosecute, through fitness to plead to sentencing. It has been developed to understand changes in the mental health landscape such as diversion services, and community concerns about the impact on the criminal justice system. A consultation has now been launched so that the views of the public, charities, and health and legal professionals can be considered further before the guidance is finalised.’
Crown Prosecution Service, 12th March 2019
Source: www.cps.gov.uk
‘Two people arrested after a three-year-old girl died after being thrown from an inflatable trampoline will face no further action, police have confirmed.’
BBC News, 13th March 2019
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘The case against a gang accused of trafficking and raping young girls has collapsed because of police failings.’
BBC News, 7th March 2019
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘It is a parent’s duty to ensure that from the ages of 5-18 years old, their children are in full-time education and attend school or college regularly. Most parents, of course, want their children to attend school, to be happy to do so, and to benefit from what school offers. But that is evidently not the case for every child. In England and Wales, the offence of truancy is committed by parents or carers of school age children whose children have not attended school regularly. Surprisingly, it is a strict liability offence – Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 sets out a parental duty to secure the efficient education of children by ensuring the child’s regular attendance at school or otherwise. If the child fails to attend school regularly the parent is guilty of an offence. Under Subsection 444 (1) the offence is strict liability; the parent is guilty even if he did not know that the child has missed school. If, for example, the child was living with her grandmother and missed school, the child’s parents would be liable for prosecution for their child’s truancy, even if they did not know she was missing school. Under Subsection 444 (1A) there is a further offence if the parent knew about the child’s absence and failed to act.’
Restorative Justice, March 2019
Source: covrj.uk
‘Rape prosecutions in England and Wales have fallen to their lowest rate in more than five years, the Guardian can reveal.’
The Guardian, 6th March 2019
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A Ryanair passenger who was filmed launching a tirade at an elderly woman on a flight has not had any charges filed against him.’
BBC News, 25th February 2019
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd MP has announced that the government will introduce two new criminal offences to penalise the mismanagement of pension schemes.
Doughty Street Chambers, 11th February 2019
Source: insights.doughtystreet.co.uk
‘A British woman who ran away to Syria as a schoolgirl to join the Islamic State group has been told she could face prosecution if she returns home.’
BBC News, 14th February 2019
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Around 350 British jihadists suspected to be in Syria could face up to 10 years in jail if they return to the UK under new anti-terror laws that ban travel to designated areas.’
Daily Telegraph, 12th February 2019
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘The security company G4S is facing prosecution for allegedly failing to implement a smoking ban at an immigration removal centre, in the first case of its kind.’
The Guardian, 7th February 2019
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The mother of a three year old girl has become the first person in England and Wales to be convicted of female genital mutilation (FGM) offences since the practice was criminalised in the UK in 1985.’
Local Government Lawyer, 1st February 2019
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘The manslaughter trial of the police officer in command during the Hillsborough disaster will begin later.’
BBC News, 14th January 2018
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
© Inner Temple Library 2019