‘Training is not enough’: Family lawyers target Tolson over ‘outdated’ views on consent – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Lawyers, campaigners and politicians are calling for wider action to be taken after a judge was condemned for employing “obsolescent concepts” on consent in a family case.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 6th February 2020

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Burglar who sexually assaulted and murdered 89-year-old widow jailed for a minimum of 34 years – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 7th, 2020 in burglary, elderly, murder, news, rape, sentencing, sexual offences by tracey

‘A burglar has been sentenced to a minimum term of 34 years in prison for the “sexual or sadistic” murder of an 89-year-old widow in her own bed.’

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Daily Telegraph, 6th February 2020

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Vulnerable witness, domestic abuse and special measures- the importance of ensuring a fair trial – Becket Chambers

‘This article explores the approach a court should take in relation to vulnerable witnesses, in particular those that have experienced domestic abuse. The recent case of H v F [2020] EWHC 86 (Fam) demonstrates that a case will be successful on appeal if the correct procedures are not complied with.’

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Becket Chambers, 3rd February 2020

Source: becket-chambers.co.uk

CPS knew rape ‘ambition’ could have perverse consequences – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The Crown Prosecution Service was aware in 2015 that its conviction rate “levels of ambition” could have unintended consequences, the Gazette can reveal.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 5th February 2020

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Teacher who raped 14-year-old boy blames ‘heavy workload’ – The Independent

Posted February 4th, 2020 in indecent photographs of children, news, rape, sexual grooming, teachers by sally

‘A deputy headteacher who raped a 14-year-old boy and kept indecent images of children on his phone has blamed his heavy workload for turning him into a sexual predator.’

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The Independent, 4th February 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Police sending a third fewer rape cases to prosecutors, figures show – The Guardian

‘Rape victims are finding it increasingly difficult to access justice as police refer fewer cases to the Crown Prosecution Service and fewer allegations of rape are being prosecuted and convicted, according to new figures.’

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The Guardian, 30th January 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Have confidence, come forward, rape victims urged – BBC News

‘”Have confidence, come forward,” the director of public prosecutions has told victims of rape, as the number of prosecutions continues to fall.’

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BBC News, 30th January 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Child sexual exploitation: ‘Everything we said was viewed with suspicion’ – The Guardian

‘Parents of children sexually exploited by criminal gangs can be blamed for not preventing abuse, report finds.’

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The Guardian, 29th January 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

“No” means No. – JH v MF [2020] EWHC 86 (Fam): An Appeal from the Central Family Court – 5 SAH

‘This case, JH v MF [2020] EWHC 86 (Fam) was an appeal from the Central Family Court following a fact-finding trial before HHJ Robin Tolson QC in proceedings for a child arrangements order. The appellant mother (JH) had alleged domestic abuse, including two allegations of rape. She was represented by a barrister and the respondent father (MF) was unrepresented but supported by a McKenzie friend.’

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5 SAH, 23rd January 2020

Source: www.5sah.co.uk

Domestic abuse cases abandoned too quickly when victims retreat – study – The Guardian

‘Police and prosecutors are dropping domestic abuse cases far too readily when victims become reluctant to pursue complaints against often violent partners, an official inspectorate report has warned.’

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The Guardian, 23rd January 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Female judge criticises male colleague who told woman she wasn’t raped as she didn’t fight back – Daily Telegraph

Posted January 23rd, 2020 in appeals, consent, judges, news, rape by tracey

‘A female judge has criticised an “outdated” male colleague after he ruled that a woman had not been raped by her violent partner because she “took no physical steps” to stop him during sex.’

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Daily Telegraph, 22nd January 2019

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Trainee solicitor jailed after rape convictions – Legal Futures

Posted January 20th, 2020 in imprisonment, news, rape, sentencing, sexual offences, solicitors by sally

A trainee solicitor who admitted multiple offences, including rape, committed in quick succession against two women in July 2019 was jailed last week for 14 years.

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Legal Futures, 20th January 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Reynhard Sinaga: Attorney general to review rapist’s’ sentence – BBC News

Posted January 16th, 2020 in appeals, attorney general, Crown Prosecution Service, news, rape, sentencing by sally

‘A man jailed for 136 rapes could have his sentence increased after his case was referred to the Attorney General.’

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BBC News, 15th January 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Manchester rapes: How Reynhard Sinaga found his victims – BBC News

Posted January 6th, 2020 in drug offences, homosexuality, news, rape, sexual offences, victims, video recordings by sally

‘Reynhard Sinaga is thought to be the UK’s most prolific rapist ever. For several years, until he was caught in 2017, he preyed on young men enjoying a night out.’

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BBC News, 6th January 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Four guilty of abusing vulnerable young girl in Telford sex case – The Guardian

Posted December 19th, 2019 in child abuse, news, rape, sexual offences by sally

‘Four men have been convicted of sexually abusing a vulnerable young girl who described in court how she had been traded among men from the age of 13.’

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The Guardian, 18th December 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Black cab rapist John Worboys given two life sentences – BBC News

Posted December 18th, 2019 in news, parole, probation, rape, sentencing, sexual offences, taxis, victims, women by sally

‘Black cab rapist John Worboys has been handed two life sentences with a minimum term of six years for attacking four more women.’

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BBC News, 17th December 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Rape convictions: Justice system near ‘breaking point’, says watchdog – BBC News

Posted December 17th, 2019 in budgets, criminal justice, Crown Prosecution Service, news, prosecutions, rape, reports by tracey

‘A review of record low rape conviction rates has found a justice system “close to breaking point” because of cuts. The Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (CPSI) said a “damning” number of cases are lost during “under-resourced” police investigations. But it rejected claims that prosecutors are unfairly selective about cases they charge.’

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BBC News, 17th December 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Serial rapist Joseph McCann given 33 life sentences – The Guardian

Posted December 10th, 2019 in news, rape, sentencing by sally

‘The serial rapist Joseph McCann has been handed 33 life sentences with a minimum term of 30 years.’

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The Guardian, 9th December 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Joseph McCann guilty of horrific rapes after being freed by mistake – The Guardian

Posted December 9th, 2019 in child abuse, early release, inquiries, news, parole, prisons, probation, rape, sexual offences by sally

‘Joseph McCann, who has been convicted of a horrific series of rapes and kidnappings against 11 women and children, was freed in error to commit his crimes after authorities failed to realise he should have been in jail for a previous violent offence.’

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The Guardian, 6th December 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Torture charges against former Liberia leader’s ex-wife dismissed – BBC News

Posted December 6th, 2019 in conspiracy, evidence, news, rape, torture, war crimes by sally

‘Torture charges against the ex wife of former Liberian president Charles Taylor have been dismissed at the Old Bailey.’

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BBC News, 6th December 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk