Judge condemns Crown Prosecution Service for pursuing sex case – Daily Telegraph

‘Judge Anthony Morris QC had urged prosecutors to pull the sex assault case before the trial had even begun because of lack of evidence.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 8th September 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Victims’ right to review – could it affect the criminal justice system? – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

Posted August 28th, 2014 in appeals, criminal justice, Crown Prosecution Service, news, victims by sally

‘Several criminals have been found guilty after victims of crime successfully appealed against the CPS’ original decisions not to bring charges. What has been the effect of the introduction of the “right to review scheme”? And could it affect the criminal justice system?’

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Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 28th August 2014

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

CPS secures first ever recovery of criminal assets from United Arab Emirates – Crown Prosecution Service

‘Following extensive work both in the UK and Dubai, the new CPS Proceeds of Crime Service (CPSPOC) in London, working closely with the recently deployed CPS Asset Recovery Advisor in Dubai, has secured what is believed to be the first ever successful enforcement of a UK confiscation order in the UAE. The UK has recovered over £300,000 from the sale of an apartment in Dubai Marina belonging to a convicted British criminal.’

Full story

Crown Prosecution Service, 21th August 2014

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Domestic abuse crime considered by ministers – BBC News

‘A new crime of domestic abuse could be created under plans being considered by ministers. Home Secretary Theresa May is consulting on creating the offence in England and Wales as part of attempts to improve police performance. Existing law already covers coercive and controlling behaviour – but it does not explicitly apply to relationships.’

Full story

Consultation

BBC News, 20th August 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Gang leader loses court battle over crime debt – The Guardian

‘A “retired” high-profile criminal has lost a high court battle over how much he has to pay back from his days of crime.’

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The Guardian, 11th August 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

RSPCA prosecute family over cat’s long hair – Daily Telegraph

‘Richard and Samantha Byrnes express their relief after the Crown Prosecution Service steps in and orders the RSPCA to halt an animal cruelty case against them.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 10th August 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

‘Revenge porn’ laws must be clearer, say Lords – The Guardian

‘Clarification is needed on the law around “revenge porn” and when it could lead to a prosecution, a committee of peers has said.’

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The Guardian, 29th July 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

More than 30 criminal cases involving ‘Fake Sheikh’ to be reviewed in light of Tulisa trial – Daily Telegraph

Posted July 25th, 2014 in Crown Prosecution Service, evidence, news, perjury, prosecutions by tracey

‘ More than 30 criminal cases that relied on evidence given by undercover reporter Mazher Mahmood are being reviewed in light of the collapse of the Tulisa Contostavlos drugs trial.
The Crown Prosecution Service is looking again at the cases -as well as three that are still going on – after a judge ended the pop singer’s trial because there were “strong grounds” to believe the Sun reporter had lied in court and manipulated evidence.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 24th July 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Victim right of review scheme sees 146 suspects charged with offences – The Independent

Posted July 21st, 2014 in criminal justice, Crown Prosecution Service, news, prosecutions, victims by sally

‘Almost 150 suspects have been charged for offences after alleged victims appealed against decisions not to prosecute them under the new right to review scheme, according to new figures.’

Full story

The Independent, 19th July 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Eystna Blunnie murder: ‘Chances missed’ to prevent death – BBC News

Posted July 11th, 2014 in Crown Prosecution Service, domestic violence, murder, news, prosecutions by sally

‘Opportunities were missed to protect a heavily-pregnant teenager who was beaten to death by her ex-boyfriend, a report has revealed.

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BBC News, 10th July 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Campaign group is ‘appalled’ after proposed case accusing defence companies of torture equipment marketing collapses – The Independent

‘State prosecutors were yesterday accused of “abject failure” to ensure two defence companies answer allegations of marketing torture equipment at the world’s largest arms fair in London after a private case against the firms collapsed.’

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The Independent, 10th July 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Plea for no new social-media laws – BBC News

‘No new laws are needed to deal with social media – just a better understanding of the existing ones, a leading barrister has told peers.’

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BBC News, 2nd July 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Domestic violence convictions at record high – The Guardian

‘The conviction rate for domestic violence cases has reached its highest ever level, with cases now making up 10.7% of the Crown Prosecution Service’s workload, the director of public prosecutions will announce on Wednesday.’

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd July 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Kingsley Burrell death: ‘insufficient evidence’ to prosecute – BBC News

‘Prosecutors say there is “insufficient evidence” to charge anyone after the death of a man detained under the Mental Health Act.’

Full story

BBC News, 1st July 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

CPS fraud couple ordered to pay back £300,000 – BBC News

Posted June 30th, 2014 in assets recovery, Crown Prosecution Service, fraud, news, sentencing, taxis by sally

‘A couple who were jailed for conning the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) out of more than £1m have been ordered to pay back in excess of £300,000 by a court.’

Full story

BBC News, 27th June 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Phone hacking: it was right to charge Rebekah Brooks, says Keir Starmer – The Guardian

‘Prosecutors were right to charge Rebekah Brooks and other News of the World executives over conspiracy to hack phones as the trials have helped determine who knew about widespread malpractice at the newspaper, Sir Keir Starmer, the former director of public prosecutions, has said.’

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The Guardian, 29th June 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Is it right to jail someone for being offensive on Facebook or Twitter? – The Guardian

‘Jake Newsome was jailed last week for posting offensive comments online. His is the latest in a string of cases that have led to prison terms, raising concern that free speech may be under threat from over-zealous prosecutors.’

Full story

The Guardian, 13th June 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Cyril Smith CPS files ‘must be revealed’ – BBC News

‘The Crown Prosecution Service has been told it must reveal details about its decision not to prosecute the former Rochdale MP Cyril Smith for alleged offences against children.’

Full story

BBC News, 9th June 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Measures aimed at addressing drop in rape convictions launched – BBC News

Posted June 6th, 2014 in Crown Prosecution Service, news, prosecutions, rape, statistics by sally

‘Measures aimed at improving the conviction rate for rape in courts in England and Wales have been launched by the Director of Public Prosecutions.’

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BBC News, 6th June 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Eastenders in Supreme Court: A1P1 filling in the gaps – UK Human Rights Blog

‘Not Albert Square, but it could be. The Crown Prosecution Service suspect two individuals of a massive duty/VAT fraud in their cash and carry businesses. The CPS go to the Crown Court (in the absence of the individuals) and get an order to appoint a receiver (i.e. a paid manager) to run the affairs of companies (Eastenders) in which the individuals are involved, as well as a restraint order against the individuals. Both receivership and restraint orders are set aside some months later by the Court of Appeal, on the basis that the HMRC investigator’s statements were largely “broad and unsupported assertions”. Problem: by then the receiver had run up £772,547 in fees.’

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 15th May 2014

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com