Spiking: Low conviction rate is shocking, say victims – BBC News
‘A student who suspects she was a victim of spiking has said the low conviction rate is shocking but not surprising.’
BBC News, 15th February 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Category: prosecutions
Prosecutors drop attempted rape case against Mason Greenwood – The Guardian
‘The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said there was “no longer a realistic prospect of conviction” after key witnesses withdrew their cooperation from the investigation.’
The Guardian, 2nd February 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
Police Receive Seven Reports Of So-Called Honour-Based Abuse A Day – Each Other
‘Between March 2021 and March 2022 there were 2,887 honour-based abuse-related (HBA) offences recorded by the police in England and Wales, the second consecutive rise in HBA-related offences. Approximately seven cases are reported every day. However, the Home Office says that these cases are likely to only represent a small proportion of the actual offences committed.’
Each Other, 27th January 2022
Source: eachother.org.uk
NHS trust failed in care of baby who died 23 minutes after birth – The Guardian
‘The mother of a baby girl who died in hospital 23 minutes after being born has said she was “failed in the most cruel way” by an NHS Trust that has admitted failings in their care.’
The Guardian, 25th January 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
Tech bosses face jail if children not kept safe online after UK parliament deal – The Guardian
‘Tech executives whose platforms persistently fail to protect children from online harm will face criminal charges after ministers reached a deal with Conservative backbenchers.’
The Guardian, 16th January 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
Victims and families call for prosecutions as contaminated blood inquiry nears end – The Guardian
‘Victims and family members affected by the contaminated blood scandal are calling for criminal charges to be considered as the public inquiry into the tragedy draws to a close. While the inquiry, which will begin to hear closing submissions on Tuesday, cannot determine civil or criminal liability, people affected by the scandal are keen for the mass of documents and evidence accumulated over more than four years to be handed over to prosecutors to see whether charges can be brought.’
The Guardian, 16th January 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
Eight in 10 rape charges tried by UK military courts end without conviction – The Guardian
‘A scandal over sexual abuse in the submarine service has deepened as it emerged that eight in 10 rape charges tried by a military court martial over the past three years ended without conviction.’
The Guardian, 2nd November 2022
Source: www.theguardian.com
Court of Appeal rules on power to prosecute consumer offences outside local authority area – Local Government Lawyer
‘The Court of Appeal has handed down a key ruling in conjoined appeals on the power of a local authority to prosecute consumer offences outside its area.’
Local Government Lawyer, 1st November 2022
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
National blueprint for prosecuting rape takes a step closer with refreshed joint work pledge – Crown Prosecution Service
‘A blueprint for prosecuting rape and serious sexual offences has taken a significant step forward today – as new data reveals charge rates for rape have increased to 72.8%.’
Crown Prosecution Service, 20th October 2022
Source: www.cps.gov.uk
In 2017 Daria Aspen told police her stepfather had raped her. Why did it take five years to even charge him? – The Guardian
‘Aspen hoped she could protect others from the man who had abused her as a child. She didn’t realise how slowly the case would move, or how many intrusive questions she would have to answer.’
The Guardian, 18th October 2022
Source: www.theguardian.com
60 violent and sexual offence cases wrongfully dropped in past year, BBC discovers – BBC News
‘Violent and sexual crimes are among cases wrongfully dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in the past year.’
BBC News, 11th October 2022
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Claims I had sexsomnia destroyed my rape case’ – BBC News
‘Jade McCrossen-Nethercott’s rape case was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) because of claims she had an episode of a rare sleep condition called “sexsomnia”. As a result, the CPS no longer believed they could secure a conviction. But Jade challenged the decision and spent months reinvestigating.’
BBC News, 5th October 2022
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Dalian Atkinson’s family condemns justice system for six-year delay – The Guardian
‘Dalian Atkinson’s family have criticised police for taking the life of their loved one and condemned the justice system for taking six years to complete criminal trials of officers involved.’
The Guardian, 28th September 2022
Source: www.theguardian.com
Borough council prosecution secures £200k fine after metal object found in Krispy Kreme doughnut – Local Government Lawyer
‘Melton Borough Council has prosecuted Krispy Kreme UK for three offences of food hygiene and safety after a sharp piece of metal was found in a doughnut.’
Local Government Lawyer, 26th September 2022
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Labour urges immediate rights extension for associate prosecutors – Legal Futures
‘The Labour Party has called for the role of associate prosecutors (APs) to be expanded so as to help reduce the massive backlog in criminal cases awaiting hearings.’
Legal Futures, 30th August 2022
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
Sarah Everard vigil protester sues Met police after conviction – The Guardian
‘A woman who was arrested and charged after attending the vigil for Sarah Everard in Clapham last year has launched civil proceedings against the Metropolitan police.’
The Guardian, 16th August 2022
Source: www.theguardian.com
Will Trial Rape Courts Address Low Conviction Rates? – Each Other
‘A year after the Government’s Rape Review, a pilot scheme was announced that would establish three specialist rape courts in England. But with concerns from the sector about access to justice, survivors’ welfare and funding: Will specialist rape courts address low conviction rates and support survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence?’
Each Other, 12th August 2022
Source: eachother.org.uk
Serial domestic abuser convicted of assault – BBC News
‘A “serial domestic abuse perpetrator” who escaped a rape prosecution after a series of official failings has been convicted of assaulting another woman.’
BBC News, 13th August 2022
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
