PM: Staff and members to face criminal offence of ‘wilful neglect’ over CSE – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Government is to consult on extending the new criminal offence of ‘wilful neglect’ of patients to children’s social care, education and elected members in a bid to eradicate “the culture of denial”, the Prime Minister has announced.’

Full story

Local Government Lawyer, 3rd March 2015

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Professionals blamed Oxfordshire girls for their sexual abuse, report finds – The Guardian

‘Police and social workers in Oxfordshire had a tainted perception that girls as young as 11 consented to sex with men who raped and brutalised them, an independent report into the failure to stop their exploitation has said.’

Full story

The Guardian, 3rd March 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Gary Glitter jailed for 16 years – BBC News

Posted February 27th, 2015 in attempts, child abuse, news, rape, sentencing, sexual offences by tracey

‘Former pop star Gary Glitter has been jailed for a total of 16 years for sexually abusing three young girls between 1975 and 1980.’

Full story

BBC News, 27th February 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

How abuse trial exposed dark secret at top music schools – The Guardian

‘It was the trial of Michael Brewer in 2013 that exposed the dark secret of abuse at some of the UK’s most prestigious music schools. Brewer, a former head of music at Chetham’s in Manchester, was found guilty of indecently assaulting a pupil who was 14 at the time. His victim, Frances Andrade, a gifted violinist, killed herself after giving evidence against him, before he was sentenced to six years in jail.’

Full story

The Guardian, 20th February 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Top UK music teacher Philip Pickett jailed for 11 years over sex attacks in sound-proof Guildhall practice rooms – The Independent

‘A former Guildhall School of Music teacher who lured his female pupils into soundproof practice rooms before he raped and abused them has been jailed for 11 years.’

Full story

The Independent, 20th February 2015

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Oxford Union president Ben Sullivan’s rape case decision to be reviewed – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 17th, 2015 in appeals, Crown Prosecution Service, news, rape, victims by sally

‘Crown Prosecution Service confirms request to look again at rape allegation against Ben Sullivan is made through Victims’ Right to Review scheme.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 16th February 2015

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Judge brands rape victim ‘foolish’ for drinking too much – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 16th, 2015 in alcohol abuse, consent, Crown Prosecution Service, news, rape, sentencing, victims by sally

‘Mr Justice Males describes rape victim as ‘very unwise” for drinking so much in a nightclub she was raped by two men.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 13th February 2015

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

No more ‘early release’ for child rapists and terrorists – Ministry of Justice

Posted February 13th, 2015 in child abuse, early release, rape, sentencing, terrorism by tracey

‘Child rapists and terrorists will no longer be automatically released half-way through their sentence, as part of a range of tough new laws that have received Royal Assent today.’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 12th February 2015

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Rapists guilty after Lincoln Crown Court judge overruled – BBC News

Posted February 13th, 2015 in appeals, consent, evidence, news, rape by tracey

‘Three men have been convicted of rape, despite a judge trying to stop their trial because of a lack of evidence. Judge John Pini QC halted the trial of Michael Armitage, Pawel Chudzicki and Rafal Segiet saying it could not be proved the woman did not have the capacity to consent. In an unusual move, the prosecution challenged the decision and the Court of Appeal overruled the judge.’

Full story

BBC News, 12th February 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Regina v Balogh; Attorney General’s Reference (No 117 of 2014) – WLR Daily

Posted February 11th, 2015 in appeals, guilty pleas, law reports, medical records, mental health, rape, sentencing by sally

Regina v Balogh; Attorney General’s Reference (No 117 of 2014) [2015] EWCA Crim 44; [2015] WLR (D) 49

‘A court’s obligation to follow any relevant sentencing guidelines unless satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so continued to apply where the offender was suffering from a mental disorder.’

WLR Daily, 4th February 2015

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

Doctor Michael Salmon guilty of indecent assaults – BBC News

Posted February 9th, 2015 in abuse of position of trust, child abuse, doctors, news, rape, sexual offences by sally

‘Former doctor Michael Salmon has been found guilty of indecently assaulting girls at a hospital where Jimmy Savile abused patients.’

Full story

BBC News, 6th February 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Court guidelines for rape victims ‘are not working’, as study finds aggressive cross-examination and intimidating encounters are still common – The Independent

‘Victims of rape and sexual violence are not being properly protected during trials and should be dealt with in special courts, according to a new study to be published tomorrow. Guidelines meant to highlight the vulnerability of victims and special measures, such as allowing evidence to be given behind screens, “are not having their intended effect”, researchers at Bath University’s Institute for Policy Research warn.’

Full story

The Independent, 8th February 2015

Source: www.independent.co.uk

The Law and Rape – BBC Unreliable Evidence

Posted February 6th, 2015 in Crown Prosecution Service, news, prosecutions, rape, victims, women by sally

‘Convictions for rape in the UK are described as “shockingly low”. Why does the law appear to be failing to protect women? Clive Anderson discusses what needs to be done to improve the situation with the Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders, Assistant Metropolitan Police Commissioner Martin Hewitt and two leading lawyers working in the area.’

Listen

BBC Unreliable Evidence, 28th January 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Theresa May wins rapist deportation appeal – BBC News

Posted February 5th, 2015 in appeals, deportation, immigration, news, public interest, rape, tribunals by sally

‘A ruling that prevented the deportation of a Somali man who raped a pregnant woman has been successfully challenged by the home secretary.’

Full story

BBC News, 5th February 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Sir Keir Starmer: police stations are intimidating for rape victims – The Guardian

Posted February 5th, 2015 in criminal justice, news, police, rape, sexual offences, victims, women by sally

‘Police stations are not the ideal place for victims to report crimes – particularly rape and sexual offences – according to the former director of public prosecutions, Sir Keir Starmer.’

Full story

The Guardian, 4th February 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

European Court to rule on ‘whole life tariff’ legality of triple murderer Arthur Hutchinson – The Independent

Posted February 2nd, 2015 in appeals, human rights, murder, news, rape, sentencing by sally

‘One of the UK’s most notorious killers will learn this week whether he has anything more than the faintest of hopes of ever leaving prison. The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg is set to rule whether triple murderer Arthur Hutchinson should be eligible for release from Frankland prison, Durham.’

Full story

The Independent, 1st February 2015

Source: www.independent.co.uk

The DPP’s tough new rape guidelines: What are they and why are they so important? – The Independent

Posted January 30th, 2015 in Crown Prosecution Service, news, police, prosecutions, rape, victims by sally

‘Rape suspects will now have a greater burden of responsibility to demonstrate how a possible victim consented “with full capacity and freedom to do so” to authorities.’

Full story

The Independent, 29th January 2015

Source: www.independent.co.uk

New rape guidelines are welcome – if they’re actually followed – The Guardian

Posted January 30th, 2015 in Crown Prosecution Service, news, police, prosecutions, rape by sally

‘The latest CPS advice issued to help police dispel rape myths is meaningless if ignored by officers on the ground.’

Full story

The Guardian, 29th January 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Campaigners hail DPP’s tough new rape guidelines as ‘huge step forward’ – The Independent

Posted January 29th, 2015 in consent, Crown Prosecution Service, news, police, rape by sally

‘Radical changes to the way sex offences are investigated have been hailed as a “huge step forward” by campaigners.’

Full story

The Independent, 28th January 2015

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Ex-Royal Navy chief petty officer Geoffrey Rooney jailed for child abuse – BBC News

‘A former Royal Navy sailor has been jailed for 14 years for a series of horrific child sex offences including the rape of a six-month-old baby.’

Full story

BBC News, 23rd January 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk