Rape cases in England and Wales will be hit hard by backlog, says police chief – The Guardian

‘Rape and domestic violence cases in England and Wales will be among the worst hit from the growing backlog in the judicial system, and trials could soon start collapsing because of severe delays, the new crime commissioner for England’s second biggest force has warned.’

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The Guardian, 6th June 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Christopher Kapessa: Mum plans legal action over river death – BBC News

‘A mother plans to launch her own legal action if the decision not to prosecute the boy reportedly involved in her son’s death is not reversed.’

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BBC News, 7th June 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Black people 12 times more likely to be prosecuted for cannabis, new analysis shows – The Independent

‘Black people are 12 times more likely to be prosecuted for cannabis possession than white people, according to new analysis by the Liberal Democrats who are calling for an end to the use of Stop and Search for small amounts.’

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The Independent, 27th May 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

CPS statement on Hillsborough ruling – Crown Prosecution Service

‘The Nightingale Court at The Lowry Theatre, Manchester, has found there is no case for Peter Metcalf, former Chief Superintendent Donald Denton and former Detective Chief Inspector Alan Foster to answer on the charges of perverting the course of justice in relation to their actions following the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 26th May 2021

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Hillsborough: why has the trial collapsed and what happens next? – The Guardian

‘A judge has stopped the trial of two former South Yorkshire police officers and the force’s former solicitor, who had been charged with perverting the course of justice for amending police statements after the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.’

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The Guardian, 26th May 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Police and prosecutors must focus on actions of alleged rapists not victims, new guidance says – The Independent

‘Police and prosecutors are to place greater focus on the actions of alleged rapists rather than their victims, after charges hit a record low. New legal guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) says investigators must use an “offender-centric” approach and look closely at the actions of suspects before, during and after reported attacks.’

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The Independent, 21st May 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

CPS updates rape legal guidance to reflect rapid growth in digital evidence – Crown Prosecution Service

‘The CPS has published refreshed rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) legal guidance, delivering on our ongoing commitment to make the prosecution of these crimes reflect today’s rapidly changing society.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 21st May 2021

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Rape victims in England and Wales to give video evidence to boost convictions – The Guardian

‘Rape victims in England and Wales will be able to provide their evidence on video prior to a trial to help improve conviction rates, it is understood.’

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The Guardian, 17th May 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

CPS review findings for first year of coronavirus prosecutions – Crown Prosecution Service

‘The CPS has now reviewed a full year’s worth of cases charged under the coronavirus legislation, as part of our commitment to ensuring the laws are being applied consistently and correctly. Prosecutors checked 1,821 finalised cases under the Coronavirus Act and Health Protection Regulations between 26 March 2020 and 31 March 2021.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 13th May 2021

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Men who harass women from cars should be prosecuted, MPs say – The Guardian

Posted May 11th, 2021 in bills, harassment, news, prosecutions, sexual offences by sally

‘Men who harass women from cars should face criminal charges, a cross-party group of MPs has urged, as the government comes under mounting pressure to criminalise sexual harassment.’

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The Guardian, 10th May 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

British woman to sue UAE royal she accuses of sexual assault for damages – The Guardian

‘A British woman who accused a senior United Arab Emirates royal of sexually assaulting her has issued a formal claim for damages.’

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The Guardian, 26th April 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

NHS trust pleads guilty after ‘wholly avoidable’ death of week-old baby – The Guardian

Posted April 20th, 2021 in birth, hospitals, medical treatment, news, prosecutions by sally

‘A hospital trust has pleaded guilty to a criminal charge brought by the NHS regulator over failings in care that led to the death of a newborn boy at just seven days old.’

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The Guardian, 19th April 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Peers seek to block limit on UK soldiers’ accountability for war crimes – The Guardian

Posted April 13th, 2021 in armed forces, bills, news, prosecutions, torture, war crimes by sally

‘Peers behind a cross-party amendment to halt plans to restrict prosecutions of torture and war crimes by British soldiers serving abroad are hopeful of inflicting a high-profile defeat on the government in the Lords on Tuesday.’

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The Guardian, 13th April 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

London-wide launch of operation to convict those who assault NHS staff – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted April 1st, 2021 in assault, doctors, hate crime, news, nurses, paramedics, pilot schemes, prosecutions by tracey

‘Known as Operation Cavell, the initiative will see a senior officer review all reports of assaults and hate crime against NHS staff. Following a three-month pilot, the National Health Service (NHS), Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have been working in partnership to launch the scheme today (Wednesday, 31 March) which aims to increase convictions and protect NHS staff on the frontline.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 31st March 2021

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Half of women have little or no faith in CPS to prosecute crimes against them, poll finds – The Independent

‘Half of women have little or no faith in the authorities to prosecute crimes against them, according to a new poll. Almost a quarter have “no trust at all” in the Crown Prosecution Service, the research by Savanta ComRes found.’

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The Independent, 21st March 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

FCA launches proceedings against NatWest over alleged money laundering – The Guardian

Posted March 16th, 2021 in banking, financial regulation, money laundering, news, prosecutions by tracey

‘The City watchdog has begun criminal proceedings against the taxpayer-owned lender NatWest for allegedly failing to prevent money laundering, the first prosecution brought under money laundering regulations introduced in 2007.’

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The Guardian, 16th March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

New safety measures after Sarah Everard death – BBC News

‘”Immediate steps” aimed at improving safety for women and girls in England have been announced by Downing Street after Sarah Everard’s death. Among them is an additional £25m for better lighting and CCTV as well as a pilot scheme which would see plain-clothes officers in pubs and clubs.’

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BBC News, 16th March 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘Revenge porn’ is a misnomer – UK Human Rights Blog

‘Why we should replace ‘revenge porn’ with ‘image based sexual abuse’ and reform the mens rea of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 10th March 2021

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Jack Barnes ‘let down again’ as manslaughter charges not considered – BBC News

Posted March 11th, 2021 in homicide, news, prosecutions, restraint, transport, unlawful killing by sally

‘A man who was unlawfully killed after public transport staff restrained him has been “let down again” as no-one will face manslaughter charges.’

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BBC News, 10th March 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Nazir Ahmed trial collapses due to ‘disgraceful’ late disclosure of evidence – The Guardian

‘The trial of a former Labour peer accused of sexually abusing younger children has collapsed due a “disgraceful” late disclosure of evidence by the prosecution, a judge has said.’

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The Guardian, 9th March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com