IPCC clears G20 protest sergeant Delroy Smellie – BBC News
“A police officer accused of striking a woman with a baton at a G20 protest has been cleared by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.”
BBC News, 17th June 2010
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Category: self-defence
Minister plays down quick change to self-defence law – BBC News
“There will be no swift law change to give people greater rights to defend themselves against burglars, Justice Minister Nick Herbert has suggested.”
BBC News, 6th June 2010
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Regina v Y (A) – WLR Daily
Regina v Y (A) [2010] EWCA Crim 762; [2010] WLR (D) 112
“Where a person possessed information likely to be useful to a terrorist within the meaning of s 58(1) of the Terrorism Act 2000, the fact that the possession was for the purpose of lawful self-defence which was solely defensive was capable of amounting to the statutory defence of reasonable excuse under s 58(3) of the 2000 Act, to an offence of possession under s 58(1).”
WLR Daily, 6th May 2010
Source: www.lawreports.co.uk
Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.
Call to change law after burglar death case – The Independent
“The law should be strengthened to protect homeowners who confront burglars, the mother of a trainee builder cleared of murdering a teenage intruder said today.”
The Independent, 19th April 2010
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Burglar murder charge dropped at last minute – The Guardian
“The decision to prosecute a trainee builder for murder after he stabbed a teenage burglar to death was ‘erroneous’, a court heard today.”
The Guardian, 19th April 2010
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Student’s jail sentence for confronting muggers is overturned – Daily Telegraph
“A student jailed for confronting a gang of muggers has been freed by judges on appeal.”
Daily Telegraph, 18th March 2010
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
A-level student given five years for killing boyfriend – BBC News
“A 19-year-old who killed her boyfriend on the day she received her A-level results has been sentenced to five years in a young offenders’ institute.”
BBC News, 26th February 2010
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Man who attacked intruder with samurai sword walks free – The Independent
“A householder who faced a possible eight-year jail sentence for attacking an intruder with a samurai sword said today he just wanted to stop him getting into his house. David Fullard, 46, from Brough, East Yorkshire, was charged with unlawful wounding but walked free when a jury found him not guilty, according to the Sun.”
The Independent, 11th February 2010
Source: www.independent.co.uk
When is it right to take the law into our own hands? – The Independent
“One committed a violent attack on a burglar. The other was guilty of the mercy killing of her brain-damaged son. One is free. The other starting a nine-year sentence. Paul Vallely examines the issues raised by their contrasting treatment.”
The Independent, 22nd January 2010
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Don’t read too much into Munir Hussain judgment, say lawyers – The Guardian
“Lawyers say today’s judgment that released the man who jailed for attacking a burglar had nothing to do with the law of self-defence and everything to do with the unique facts of Munir Hussain’s case.”
The Guardian, 20th January 2010
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Homeowner jailed for tackling burglar – The Independent
A businessman who fought off knife-wielding thugs threatening to kill his family was jailed for 30 months yesterday.
The Independent, 15th December 2009
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Teacher cleared of assaulting policeman at arms protest – The Guardian
“A music teacher who punched a police officer in the face at a demonstration has been cleared of assault charges after a court ruled he was acting in self-defence.”
The Guardian, 8th June 2009
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Homeowner Kenneth Batchelor cleared of murder after shooting dead intruder – The Times
“A homeowner has been cleared of murder after he shot and killed a bodybuilder at point-blank range when he tried to break into his house.”
The Times, 11th March 2009
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Armed robber killed by shopkeeper was to blame, rules coroner – Daily Telegraph
“An armed robber who was stabbed to death by a shopkeeper was to blame for his own death, a coroner has ruled. ”
Daily Telegraph, 12th November 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Shopkeeper spared jail after slashing thief with his knife – Daily Telegraph
“An Asian newsagent who slashed a thief in the face with a knife in self defence has been spared jail.”
Daily Telegraph, 30th September 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
New self defence laws back ‘have-a-go heroes’ – The Guardian
“New laws coming into force today will give greater protection to ‘have-a-go heroes’ who challenge burglars or other criminals.”
The Guardian, 15th July 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
No murder charge for man who killed robber – The Times
“A Lancashire shopkeeper was told today (27 February) that he will not be charged with murder after stabbing an armed robber to death with the criminal’s own knife.”
The Times, 27th February 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Shopkeeper fears murder charge after armed robber dies in fight – The Times
“A shopkeeper could be charged with murder after an armed robber who tried to steal the day’s takings was stabbed with his own knife during a struggle.”
The Times, 21st February 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Rules of engagement for have-a-go householders – The Times
“Householders will get the right to use force to defend their homes against burglars. MPs will debate an amendment tomorrow that seeks to clarify the law so that people can use ‘reasonable’ force without fear of being prosecuted.”
The Times, 8th January 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Reforms to give public confidence in tackling criminals – Ministry of Justice
“Measures to give the public confidence when tackling criminals were published today. The reforms are designed to clarify and reinforce the law, articulating the state’s responsibility to stand by those acting in good faith when using force in self defence.”
Ministry of Justice, 19th December 2007
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
