Judge says recent case shows how exceptional circumstances must be if court is to use its power to dismiss care proceedings without having heard all the evidence – Local Government Lawyer

‘A Family Court judge has refused applications to dismiss care proceedings at a half-way stage made by a number of people accused of sexual offences against children.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 12th March 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.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.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 9th March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Justice overhaul to better protect the public and back our police – Ministry of Justice

‘Cutting crime and building safer communities will be at the heart of new legislation unveiled in Parliament today (9 March 2021).’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 9th March 2021

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

Child abuse laws to be expanded in England and Wales – BBC News

‘Sports coaches and faith leaders who have sexual relationships with 16 and 17-year-olds in their care will be breaking the law under new legislation planned for England and Wales.’

Full Story

BBC News, 9th March 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Hammer killer Hunnisett loses appeal against conviction – BBC News

Posted March 5th, 2021 in appeals, child abuse, domestic violence, mental health, murder, news by tracey

‘A Sussex killer who bludgeoned a lover to death with a hammer has lost an appeal against a murder conviction.’

Full Story

BBC News, 4th March 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘Very dangerous’ Plymouth man jailed for grooming girls on Snapchat – BBC News

Posted February 25th, 2021 in child abuse, internet, news, sentencing, sexual grooming, telecommunications by sally

‘A “very dangerous” man in his thirties who pretended to be 15-years-old to groom three young girls on social media, has been jailed.’

Full Story

BBC News, 24th February 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Government urged to ensure convicted sex offenders cannot work as tutors – BBC News

Posted February 25th, 2021 in child abuse, children, criminal records, education, news, sexual offences, vetting by sally

‘The government is being urged to close a legal loophole to stop convicted sex offenders working with children as private tutors.’

Full Story

BBC News, 25th February 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Beech search warrant judge calls for police prosecutions – Daily Telegraph

‘The district judge persuaded to issue search warrants during Scotland Yard’s disastrous Operation Midland investigation has called for a criminal inquiry into the police officers responsible.’

Full Story

Daily Telegraph, 24th February 2021

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Birmingham anti-crime worker jailed for sex offences – BBC News

‘A man who worked in schools to steer young people away from crime has been jailed for sexual offences against children.’

Full Story

BBC News, 23rd February 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Court refuses former Met Police officer’s appeal against indecent image conviction – The Independent

‘A disgraced former police officer has had an appeal against an indecent image conviction refused.’

Full Story

The Independent, 18th February 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Court of Appeal allows appeal by father against abuse findings over insufficient reasoning, failure by judge to take into account material factors – Local Government Lawyer

Posted February 18th, 2021 in child abuse, domestic violence, evidence, judgments, news, reasons by sally

‘The Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal by a father over a Family Court judge’s finding that he had abused his daughter, with the matter remitted to be reheard by a different judge.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 17th February 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Abuse survivor calls for UK children born of rape to have ‘victim’ legal status – The Guardian

‘One of the survivors of the Rotherham grooming scandal has asked the government to give children born from rape legal “victim” status so they can receive specialist help and potentially prosecute their fathers.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 16th February 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Local Authority and Children’s Guardian fail in appeal against judge’s refusal to support a plan of adoption for children aged 2 and 3: T and R (Refusal of Placement Order) [2021] EWCA Civ 71 – Transparency Project

‘T & R involved an appeal against a decision to refuse to approve a plan of adoption in respect of two children, T (a 3 year old boy) and R (a 2 year old girl) and accordingly, refuse to make placement orders.’

Full Story

Transparency Project, 15th February 2021

Source: www.transparencyproject.org.uk

Case Preview: R (on the application of A) v Secretary of State for the Home Department – UKSC Blog

‘On 10 February, the Supreme Court will hear the appeal in R (A) v SSHD. The case concerns the legality of guidance issued under the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (“MAPPA”).’

Full Story

UKSC Blog, 8th February 2021

Source: ukscblog.com

Rise in child abuse online threatens to overwhelm UK police, officers warn – The Guardian

‘The vast, and growing, volume of child abuse material being created and shared online is threatening to overwhelm police efforts to tackle it, senior officers have told the Guardian. And the situation is likely to worsen, National Crime Agency (NCA) child abuse lead Rob Jones warned, if social media sites such as Facebook press ahead with further encryption of messaging services.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 9th February 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK’s FGM safeguarding policies undermining welfare, study warns – The Guardian

‘Safeguarding policies introduced to protect women and girls against female genital mutilation (FGM) are instead eroding trust and alienating African diaspora communities, a study has found.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 4th February 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Government publishes strategy to tackle child sexual abuse – Family Law

‘The Home Secretary has published a new strategy to protect children from child sexual abuse.’

Full report

Full Story

Family Law, 28th January 2021

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Lockdown may have played part in rise of domestic child killings, says Met – The Guardian

Posted January 27th, 2021 in child abuse, coronavirus, homicide, London, mental health, news, police by sally

‘The pressures of lockdown may have played a part in a rise in children killed in domestic homicides, Britain’s biggest police force today said.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 26th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Tyrell Robinson and Korie Berman jailed for sexual activity with children – BBC News

Posted January 27th, 2021 in child abuse, news, sentencing, sexual offences by sally

‘A former Bradford City footballer has been jailed for having sex with an underage girl and taking a photograph of his friend in bed with two others.’

Full Story

BBC News, 26th January 2021

Source: www.bbc.com

Priti Patel publishes new strategy to protect children from sexual abuse – Home Office

‘The Home Secretary has today published a first-of-its-kind national strategy to protect children from all forms of child sexual abuse. The Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy sets out how the Government will use new legislation and enhanced technology to stop offenders in their tracks.’

Full Story

Home Office, 22nd January 2021

Source: www.gov.uk