No convictions over 500 black and Asian deaths in custody – The Guardian

‘More than 500 black and ethnic minority individuals have died in suspicious circumstances while in state detention over the past 24 years, but not a single official has been successfully prosecuted, a report examining institutional racism has revealed.’

Full story

The Guardian, 21st March 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Jury were right to clear Sun quartet – they shouldn’t have been on trial – The Guardian

‘Yet another jury has cleared more Sun journalists who were charged with offences related to the paying of public officials.’

Full story

The Guardian, 20th March 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Paedophile cases may need to be streamlined, warns top officer – Daily Telegraph

‘National Crime Agency chief hints at possible updates to the way child pornography offences are prosecuted, as it emerges more than 260 people have been charged in new investigation.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 20th March 2015

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

A change in the landscape for victimless prosecutions? – Park Square Barristers

Posted March 19th, 2015 in domestic violence, hearsay evidence, news, prosecutions, victims by sally

‘As the Crown Prosecution Service places increasing focus on securing convictions in domestic-violence cases, there is a sense that victimless prosecutions have become far more common, particularly in the Magistrates’ Courts.’

Full story

Park Square Barristers, 6th March 2015

Source: www.parksquarebarristers.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

The death of Mr Pig and the truth about the RSPCA – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 16th, 2015 in animal cruelty, animals, charities, costs, news, prosecutions by sally

‘The decision to destroy a beloved pet suggests that the animal protection charity has lost its way.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 14th March 2015

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

MPs criticise ‘chasm’ between FGM prosecutions and reports – BBC News

‘MPs have criticised the “chasm” between the number of reported cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the UK and the number of prosecutions.’

Full story

BBC News, 14th March 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Silhan Ozcelik: ‘Disgusting’ trial for young woman who tried to fight against Isis – The Independent

Posted March 13th, 2015 in news, prosecutions, terrorism by sally

‘A teenager has appeared in court after allegedly trying to join Kurdish fighters battling Isis in Syria, in the first prosecution of its kind in Britain.’

Full story

The Independent, 12th March 2015

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Tougher standards for UK senior bankers will come into force from March 2016 – OUT-LAW.com

‘A new regulatory regime, designed to make it easier for senior managers of UK banks and building societies to be held accountable for failings in their area of responsibility will come into force in one year’s time, the government has confirmed.’

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 6th March 2015

Source: www.out-law.com

Police tackle serious crimes with ‘slap on wrist’, MPs warn – BBC News

Posted March 6th, 2015 in cautions, news, police, prosecutions, select committees, statistics by sally

‘Too many offenders in England and Wales are given “just a slap on the wrist” for serious crimes, MPs have argued.’

Full story

BBC News, 6th March 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

New drug-driving laws UK: Which substances are limited and what are the consequences? – The Independent

Posted March 2nd, 2015 in drug offences, news, prosecutions, road traffic offences by sally

‘New rules on driving under the effects of drugs will come into effect from tomorrow.’

Full story

The Independent, 1st March 2015

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Home Secretary announces investigation into collapsed police trial – Home Office

Posted February 27th, 2015 in disclosure, miscarriage of justice, murder, police, press releases, prosecutions by tracey

‘A QC-led investigation into the collapse of a police trial following the wrongful conviction of three people for the murder of Lynette White.’

Full story

Home Office, 26th February 2015

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

New rules to crackdown on violent prisoners come into force – Attorney General’s Office

Posted February 27th, 2015 in assault, press releases, prisons, prosecutions, sentencing, violence by tracey

‘A significant step forward in the fight against violence in prisons has been taken, with the publication of a joint national protocol.’

Full press release

Attorney General’s Office, 27th February 2015

Source: www.gov.uk/ago

Danny Alexander calls for corporate tax evasion crackdown – BBC News

Posted February 23rd, 2015 in codes of practice, corporation tax, fines, news, prosecutions, tax evasion by sally

‘Companies that fail to prevent tax evasion could face penalties as part of plans announced by Danny Alexander.’

Full story

BBC News, 22nd February 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

HSBC should face UK criminal charges, says former public prosecutor – The Guardian

‘HSBC’s Swiss arm is potentially open to a range of criminal charges in Britain because there is “credible evidence” that it has had a role in enabling tax evasion, according to a former director of public prosecutions.’

Full story

The Guardian, 22nd February 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Twitter joke trial law is being used to win easy convictions and must be scrapped, report claims – The Independent

‘The law used to prosecute a man for joking on Twitter about blowing up a snowbound airport should be scrapped since it is used to get easy convictions, according to a report out today.’

Full story

The Independent, 19th 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

CPS to take no further action against journalist and public official over misconduct claims – The Guardian

‘The Crown Prosecution Service has announced it is to take no further action against an unnamed Sun journalist and a public official who were investigated over tips for stories.’

Full story

The Guardian, 4th February 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

FGM: What is Female Genital Mutilation and why was the first doctor to stand trial in the UK acquitted? – The Independent

Posted February 6th, 2015 in doctors, female genital mutilation, news, prosecutions by sally

‘The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has been accused of bowing to “mounting” political pressure and a need to “get results” when it chose to launch an ill-judged trial against a young doctor for female genital mutilation, who was acquitted in less than 30 minutes.’

Full story

The Independent, 5th February 2015

Source: www.independent.co.uk