The CPS is failing rape victims. That’s why we’re taking legal action – The Guardian

‘Reported rapes have soared, but cases reaching court have plummeted. Our coalition of women’s groups won’t stand for it.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 10th June 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Jack Shepherd sentenced to four more years for wounding with intent – Crown Prosecution Service

‘A man has admitted hitting a member of bar staff over the head with a bottle of vodka after being refused alcohol and has been sentenced to four more years in custody..’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 6th June 2019

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Rape victims’ therapy guidance needs urgent review – Labour – BBC News

‘Labour is calling for an urgent review into therapy for rape victims, amid claims the current guidance discourages people from seeking counselling.’

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BBC News, 30th May 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Carbon credits fraud trial collapses after expert witness found to have no expertise – The Independent

‘A carbon credits trial collapsed after an expert witness was found to be unqualified, and more than 20 fraud trials could be declared unsafe.’

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The Independent, 30th May 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Man who ‘confessed’ to raping woman in Facebook message was not prosecuted – The Independent

‘A man who “confessed” on Facebook Messenger to raping a woman in her sleep will not be prosecuted because authorities think there is “no realistic prospect of conviction”, The Independent can reveal.’

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The Independent, 19th May 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Rape victims demand a say in official review of criminal justice failings – The Guardian

‘Victims’ organisations are to press for closer involvement in the government’s review of falling rape prosecutions, warning that complainants’ credibility and sexual history are increasingly being made the focus of trials.’

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The Guardian, 8th May 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Why are rape prosecutions falling? – BBC News

‘Recorded rape offences have been rising in England and Wales, but the proportion of offences making it to court has fallen significantly over the past few years.’

Full Story

BBC News, 29th April 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Prosecutors threaten trial walk-outs in CPS pay row – BBC News

‘Criminal barristers in England and Wales are threatening to walk out of trials or refuse new work over a pay row with the Crown Prosecution Service.’

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BBC News, 23rd April 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

When rape cases don’t make it to trial – The Guardian

Posted April 18th, 2019 in Crown Prosecution Service, news, prosecutions, rape, sentencing, trials by sally

‘Recorded rapes have increased by 15%, but recent figures show only one-third of cases referred to the CPS led to charges being brought. ‘Rebecca’ discusses her experience, while the Guardian’s Alexandra Topping looks at why prosecution rates have dropped.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 18th April 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘What do people want?’: Hillsborough safety officer is first to be found guilty – The Guardian

‘The conviction of Graham Mackrell, the Sheffield Wednesday club secretary and safety officer for its Hillsborough ground on 15 April 1989, is the first criminal or disciplinary finding against anybody in relation to the deaths of 96 people at the FA Cup semi-final that day between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 3rdApril 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

CPS under fire for delay in charging man accused of raping boy, 12 – The Guardian

Posted March 26th, 2019 in child abuse, Crown Prosecution Service, delay, news, prosecutions, rape by sally

‘The Crown Prosecution Service has come under fire for waiting nearly a year and a half to charge a man accused of raping a 12-year-old boy despite him admitting to the crime.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 25th March 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Charity launches super-complaint against police for treating slavery victims as criminals, rather than protecting them from perpetrators – Daily Telegraph

‘Police forces face a super-complaint over their alleged failure to protect victims of modern slavery.’

Full Story

Daily Telegraph, 25th March 2019

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

New guidance for prosecutors on mental health conditions and disorders – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted March 14th, 2019 in Crown Prosecution Service, mental health, press releases, prosecutions by tracey

‘Guidance for prosecutors on dealing with defendants with mental health issues has been updated to reflect growing understanding of different conditions, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has announced today. The revised guidance is designed to assist decision making throughout the life of a criminal case, from the initial decision to prosecute, through fitness to plead to sentencing. It has been developed to understand changes in the mental health landscape such as diversion services, and community concerns about the impact on the criminal justice system. A consultation has now been launched so that the views of the public, charities, and health and legal professionals can be considered further before the guidance is finalised.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 12th March 2019

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Sally Challen’s son launches public appeal for her murder charge to be downgraded – Daily Telegraph

‘The sons of a woman who killed her husband in a hammer attack have launched a public appeal for her murder charge to be downgraded and have accused the CPS of “discrimination against women”.’

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Daily Telegraph, 7th March 2019

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

CPS mulls charges over burning effigy of Grenfell Tower – The Guardian

Posted February 19th, 2019 in accidents, bereavement, Crown Prosecution Service, fire, internet, news, public order by sally

‘Prosecutors are considering whether to bring criminal charges against a group of men who were filmed burning an effigy of Grenfell Tower.’

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The Guardian, 18th February 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Hand database could be used to catch child abusers, says leading forensics expert – Daily Telegraph

‘Scientists believe developing a hand database could help track down and convict child abusers.’

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Daily Telegraph, 13th February 2019

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

CPS secures first conviction for female genital mutilation – Local Government Lawyer

Posted February 4th, 2019 in Crown Prosecution Service, female genital mutilation, news, prosecutions by sally

‘The mother of a three year old girl has become the first person in England and Wales to be convicted of female genital mutilation (FGM) offences since the practice was criminalised in the UK in 1985.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 1st February 2019

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Pornography of adult consensual sex no longer taboo, says CPS – The Guardian

‘Pornography produced by consenting adults engaging in legal acts will no longer be prosecuted under Britain’s historic obscenity laws, the Crown Prosecution Service has said.’

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The Guardian, 31st January 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

CPS to test three alleged harassment cases after Soubry abused outside parliament – The Guardian

Posted January 11th, 2019 in brexit, Crown Prosecution Service, harassment, news, parliament by sally

‘Three cases of alleged harassment outside parliament have been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service after the MP Anna Soubry was repeatedly abused and blocked from entering parliament by pro-Brexit supporters earlier this week.’

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The Guardian, 10th January 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Disclosure Is Essential To A Fair Trial. We Must Get It Right – Rights Info

Posted December 12th, 2018 in Crown Prosecution Service, disclosure, human rights, news, police by sally

‘Barrister Stefan Hyman outlines why the duty of disclosure is integral to our criminal justice system and vital to a fair trial, a fundamental human right.’

Full Story

Rights Info, 12th December 2018

Source: rightsinfo.org