‘Rape has effectively been decriminalised as a result of a collapse in prosecutions that has allowed many offenders to escape justice, according to the victims’ commissioner for England and Wales.’
The Guardian, 14th July 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Significant failings by prison and probation staff, and a policy of not recalling high risk prisoners to alleviate pressure on a growing prison population, saw serial rapist Joseph McCann mistakenly freed from jail to attack 11 women and children, a review has found.’
The Guardian, 30th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A man has been sentenced for raping a woman after his parents saw an incriminating text message on his phone and made him confess to the police.’
BBC News, 29th June 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Rape cases where a woman was held at knife point, a film of an attack was found on a suspect’s phone and an alleged perpetrator admitted the offence in text messages are among those dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service, documents shared with the Guardian reveal.’
The Guardian, 30th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A 19-year-old woman from Barrow accused of making up allegations of sexual exploitation against five men may not stand trial until August 2021 because of legal delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic.’
The Guardian, 19th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Rape investigations are being systematically dropped after victims refuse to hand over their mobile phones for analysis, an investigation has found.’
The Guardian, 17th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A woman who police believe was sexually abused by a gang from the age of 12 has been paid a five-figure compensation sum after three trials collapsed following police failings.’
BBC News, 11th June 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘An attempt to block the release of a man convicted of beating and raping a pensioner has been rejected by the Parole Board.’
BBC News, 8th June 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘The Justice Secretary is seeking to block the decision to release a rapist serving a life sentence from prison, after the victim’s family only learned of the plans through a journalist.’
Daily Telegraph, 5th June 2020
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘A former professional cricketer who joked about “dragging the birds back” as part of a WhatsApp sexual conquest game has appealed a five year sentence by claiming the comments did not prove he would ignore consent.’
Daily Telegraph, 4th June 2020
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘The Centre for Military Justice, acting on behalf of three female service personnel has sent a pre – action protocol letter to the Ministry of Defence with regard to three cases which the service justice system (SJS) has conducted and their assertion appears to be that these victims were discriminated against. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) response is due this week. We have not seen the letter nor do we expect to see the response. The Centre for Military Justice stating publicly that by the end of the month they will issue proceedings in the High Court for Judicial Review (JR) citing action for discrimination under both the Human Rights Act and Equality Act. We await sight of the claim and then the defence.’
Thomas More Chambers, 14th May 2020
Source: www.thomasmore.co.uk
‘In Episode 114, Emma-Louise Fenelon speaks to Jennifer MacLeod from Brick Court Chambers about two recent Divisional Court decisions concerning CPS rape prosecution policy.’
Law Pod UK, 1st June 2020
Source: audioboom.com
‘A man convicted of beating and raping a pensioner has been cleared for release from prison by the Parole Board.’
BBC News, 19th May 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘The Centre for Military Justice, acting on behalf of three female service personnel has sent a pre – action protocol letter to the Ministry of Defence with regard to three cases which the service justice system (SJS) has conducted and their assertion appears to be that these victims were discriminated against. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) response is due this week. We have not seen the letter nor do we expect to see the response. The Centre for Military Justice stating publicly that by the end of the month they will issue proceedings in the High Court for Judicial Review (JR) citing action for discrimination under both the Human Rights Act and Equality Act. We await sight of the claim and then the defence.’
Thomas More Chambers, 14th May 2020
Source: www.thomasmore.co.uk
‘Three women serving in the armed forces have begun legal action aimed at preventing the military courts from trying UK rape cases, complaining that the conviction rate is five to six times lower than in civilian courts.’
The Guardian, 3rd April 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The number of domestic abuse prosecutions fell by almost a quarter in the last three months of 2019, compared to the previous year, according to quarterly figures released by the Crown Prosecution Service. Rape prosecutions also fell 23% in the last three months of 2019 compared to a year prior, maintaining a historic low.’
The Guardian, 30th April 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A man jailed for life for brutally murdering and raping a teenager in 1987 has been sentenced for attacking a second victim before the killing.’
BBC News, 29th April 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘The Divisional Court has recently handed down a novel decision in R (FNM) v DPP, considering the right of complainants to a fair opportunity to make representations to the Director for Public Prosecutions (“DPP”), and for those representations to be considered, when conducting a review under the Victims’ Right to Review Scheme (“the VRR Scheme”).’
UK Human Rights Blog, 14th April 2020
Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com
‘A serial sexual predator has been jailed for eight years for stalking and sexually assaulting a woman while on licence.’
The Guardian, 30th March 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A paedophile couple who met on Tinder have been jailed for 48 years after “sinking to the depths of depravity” to satisfy their own sexual urges.’
Daily Telegraph, 24th March 2020
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
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