Rapist who targeted unconscious man in Warminster jailed – BBC News
‘A rapist who attacked a man on a night out has been jailed for six years.’
BBC News, 13th June 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Category: rape
Could Juryless Trials Improve Rape Conviction Rates? – Each Other
‘The Law Commission of England and Wales is considering whether juryless trials could help improve rape conviction rates. All rape and attempted rape trials in England and Wales are currently held before a jury of 12 people, who listen to the evidence and decide unanimously whether the accused is innocent or guilty.’
Each Other, 12th June 2023
Source: eachother.org.uk
Nearly 70% of rape victims drop out of investigations in England and Wales – The Guardian
‘Nearly 70% of rape survivors dropped out of the justice system in the fourth quarter of last year, according to official government data.’
The Guardian, 30th May 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
Views sought on proposals to counter effects of rape myths in sexual offence trials – Law Commission
‘The Law Commission has today published proposals for reform of sexual offences prosecutions.’
Law Commission, 23rd May 2023
Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk
Juror jailed for causing rape trial to collapse by researching defendant online – The Guardian
‘An “unashamed and unrepentant” juror who spent two decades in the police has been jailed for six months after causing a rape trial to collapse by researching the defendant online.’
The Guardian, 25th May 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
Greater Manchester police won’t oppose appeal of man jailed for 17 years for rape – The Guardian
‘Greater Manchester police will not oppose the appeal of a man who spent 17 years in prison for rape when no DNA linked him to the crime, the Guardian has learned.’
The Guardian, 24th May 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
Law Commission calls for tighter rules on use of personal records in rape trials – The Guardian
‘Greater restrictions should be introduced on the use of rape complainants’ personal records and evidence relating to their sexual behaviour to avoid rape myths contaminating trials in England and Wales, a government-commissioned review has said.’
The Guardian, 23rd May 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
Whistleblower reports reveal continuing sexual abuse of women in UK military – The Guardian
‘A junior servicewoman said she was a victim of rape and forced to leave the armed forces while her abuser was protected, according to whistleblower testimony collected and published by a parliamentary committee on Thursday.’
The Guardian, 18th May 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
Police assessment places violence against women and girls on same footing as terrorism – The Guardian
‘Police chiefs have issued the first official assessment of violence against women and girls in the UK, placing such offences on the same footing as terrorism and serious organised crime. The 230-page intelligence document outlining the crimes that pose the greatest threats to women and girls has been shared with all forces by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).’
The Guardian, 18th May 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
The scope of vicarious liability – Law Society’s Gazette
‘The claimant was a member of the defendant’s church. She and her husband had formed a close friendship with an elder in the church. During a visit to the elder’s house in 1990, the elder raped the claimant while they were together in a room. She reported the crime to the police in 2014 and her assailant was convicted and imprisoned. She then brought a claim against the defendant alleging that it was vicariously liable for the elder’s attack on her. At first instance, the trial judge held that the defendant was vicariously liable and that decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal. The defendant then appealed to the Supreme Court.’
Law Society's Gazette, 12th May 2023
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Police barred from requesting rape victims’ medical and school records – Daily Telegraph
‘Police will be barred from asking for rape victims’ therapy, health, school or other personal records unless it is “absolutely necessary” under new laws to reverse plummeting conviction rates.’
Daily Telegraph, 16th May 2023
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Serial rapist Andrew Barlow recalled to prison weeks after release – BBC News
‘A man who was jailed for 13 rapes has been recalled to prison just weeks after being released.’
BBC News, 13th May 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Sex abuse victims ‘must get specialist support’ – BBC News
‘Encouraging abuse victims to come forward without a specialist support system in place is “totally irresponsible”, campaigners have said.’
BBC News, 15th May 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Convicted killer Alun Kyte gets third life sentence for historical sex offences – BBC News
‘A killer who murdered two women in the 1990s has been given a third life sentence for raping and sexually abusing a boy.’
BBC News, 11th May 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Judge orders woman to directly arrange childcare arrangements with rapist ex-husband – The Independent
‘A judge has been criticised for ordering a rape victim to directly arrange childcare with an ex-husband who subjected her to rape and domestic abuse.’
The Independent, 11th May 2023
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Police reviewing how it treats indecent exposure after Wayne Couzens scandal – The Guardian
‘Police are to formally review whether they should take indecent exposure more seriously amid emerging evidence that people who commit such crimes can escalate their offending, the Guardian has learned. It comes after it was revealed Wayne Couzens, the then-Metropolitan police officer who raped and murdered Sarah Everard, had committed a series of offences where he had exposed himself before the murder.’
The Guardian, 2nd May 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
Supreme Court rules on liability in Jehovah’s Witness rape case – Law Society’s Gazette
‘”Deeper pockets” is not sufficient justification for extending vicarious liability “beyond its principled boundaries” the Supreme Court has found, as it ruled a congregation cannot be liable for a rape committed by one of its elders.’
Law Society's Gazette, 2nd May 2023
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
New Judgment: Trustees of the Barry Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses v BXB [2023] UKSC 15 – UKSC Blog
‘In this appeal, the Supreme Court is asked to decide whether the Jehovah’s Witness organisation is vicariously liable for a rape committed by Mark Sewell, a former elder.’
UKSC Blog, 26th April 2023
Source: ukscblog.com
Vicarious liability: Trustees of the Barry Congregation in the Supreme Court – Law & Religion UK
‘Mr and Mrs B began attending the religious services of the Barry Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1984. They made lots of friends in the congregation, among whom were Mark Sewell, his wife Mary and their children. Mark Sewell was an elder; however, he began drinking heavily and behaving inappropriately towards female members of the congregation, for example by kissing them on the lips when he greeted them. In 1990, he raped Mrs B after they had been out evangelising together and in 2014 he was convicted of her rape and of indecently assaulting two other people.’
Law & Religion UK, 26th April 2023
Source: lawandreligionuk.com
