MoD ‘mole’ Bettina Jordan-Barber jailed over Sun leaks – The Guardian

‘A “mole” at the Ministry of Defence who made £100,000 from leaking stories to the Sun has been jailed for 12 months, it can now be reported after verdicts were delivered in a related trial.’

Full story

The Guardian, 20th March 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Court of Appeal rejects tobacco smugglers’ attempts to write off confiscation orders worth more than £2.7m – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted March 20th, 2015 in confiscation, Crown Prosecution Service, customs and excise, news by tracey

‘On Tuesday 17 March 2015, The Court of Appeal rejected an attempt by Robert Doran and Patrick Gray to write off confiscation orders made against them for £1,456,325.00 and £1,244,982.44 respectively, finding in favour of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).’

Full story

Crown Prosecution Service, 18th March 2015

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Some CPS barristers ‘lack flair’, says inspection report – BBC News

Posted March 20th, 2015 in advocacy, barristers, Crown Prosecution Service, quality assurance, reports by tracey

‘Too many Crown Prosecution Service barristers lack “presence, self-confidence and flair” in Crown Court trials, a report has said. The CPS Inspectorate found that CPS barristers in England and Wales were in danger of “losing” the jury because of how they presented cases. Standards of CPS advocacy had taken a “step backwards” over the past three years, the report said.’

Full story

Full report

BBC News, 19th March 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Eleanor de Freitas inquest: Family’s anger at suicide verdict for woman who killed herself before trial for ‘false rape claim’ – The Independent

‘The family of a young woman who killed herself days before she was due to stand trial for making false rape allegations have attacked the inquest into her death, saying they may launch legal proceedings over alleged failings by the CPS for allowing her case to go to court.’

Full story

The Independent, 17th March 2015

Source: www.independent.co.uk

CPS decision to stop private prosecutions of doctors charged with abortion offences – CPS News Brief

‘In February 2012 Drs Sivaraman and Rajmohan were the subject of an undercover operation organised by The Daily Telegraph at various abortion clinics in England. The evidence obtained was passed to the police and, after an investigation, considered by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). It was concluded that in each case there was sufficient evidence of an abortion offence, although this was a finely balanced decision, but that it was not in the public interest to prosecute. On 5 September 2013 and, in more detail, on 7 October 2013 the CPS issued public statements explaining the decision making in these cases.’

Full story

CPS News Brief, 13th March 2015

Source: http://blog.cps.gov.uk

‘Door wide open’ to gender abortion as CPS blocks prosecution of doctors, campaigners claim – Daily Telegraph

‘Prosecutors halt case against doctors filmed in Telegraph investigation over ‘public interest’ considerations.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 13th March 2015

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Only 28% of recorded rapes are referred to CPS, says police inspectorate – The Guardian

Posted March 12th, 2015 in Crown Prosecution Service, news, police, rape by sally

‘Nearly three-quarters of recorded rapes of adults and children in England and Wales are not referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for a decision on whether to charge a suspect, a report by the inspectorate of constabulary revealed on Thursday.’

Full story

The Guardian, 12th March 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Cyril Smith abuse allegations: Cabinet Office denies cover-up – The Guardian

‘Documents released to Mail on Sunday reveal Margaret Thatcher knew of child abuse allegations against Rochdale MP before he was given knighthood.’

Full story

The Guardian, 8th March 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Court of Appeal rules on police duty to suspects in detention – UK Human Rights Blog

‘In a recent judgment, the Court of Appeal held that where a criminal suspect is remanded in custody, Article 5 of the Convention requires the police to notify the court as soon as possible if there is no longer a reasonable basis for suspecting them. It also held that the police and CPS must aid the court in observing its duty to show ‘special diligence’ in managing a suspect’s detention, by investigating the case conscientiously and by promptly bringing relevant material to the court’s attention.’

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 27th February 2015

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

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

Punish hate crime on social media with internet asbos, say MPs – The Guardian

‘Social media users who persistently spread racial hatred online should be given “internet asbos” blocking them from sites such as Facebook and Twitter, according to an MPs’ report that examines the rising levels of antisemitism in Britain.’

Full story

The Guardian, 9th February 2015

Source: www.guardian.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

Speaking to witnesses at court: consultation – Attorney General’s Office

‘We are committed to giving an excellent service to all victims and witnesses who attend court as part of our overall commitment to support victims and witnesses effectively throughout their time in the criminal justice system. The aim of this consultation is to ask for responses to the draft guidance which sets out the role played by prosecutors at or before court in ensuring that witnesses give their best evidence. This is a core part of the prosecutor’s job and will, if done properly, impact positively on both the quality of the witness’s evidence in court and the perception of the service they receive from us.’

Full consultation

Attorney General’s Office, 19th January 2015

Source: www.gov.uk/ago

Outcry as CPS drops trial of anti-drone protesters at last minute – The Independent

‘The prosecution of arms-trade protesters who occupied a British drone engines manufacturer has been dropped at the last minute, after the company refused to hand over evidence about its exports of weaponry to Israel, The Independent can reveal.’

Full story

The Independent, 30th January 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

Alice Gross – joint statement from the CPS and the Metropolitan Police – Crown Prosecution Service

‘At the end of the investigation into the disappearance and death of Alice Gross, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) submitted a report to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). That report proposed that Arnis Zalkalns was responsible for her abduction and murder.’

Full press release

Corwn Prosecution Service, 27th January 2015

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

DPP to consult on greater assistance to victims giving evidence at court – Crown Prosecution Service

‘Alison Saunders, the Director of Public Prosecutions, has today [19 January 2015] published a major consultation on the approach to ensuring victims are properly assisted for the trial process at court and called for an overhaul of the service provided to witnesses to ensure that they are able to give the best possible evidence. The proposals are subject to an eight week public consultation.’

Full consultation

Crown Prosecution Service, 19th January 2015

Source: www.cps.gov.uk