Category: weapons

Sentencing guidelines and offences involving corrosive substances – Sentencing Council

Posted July 27th, 2017 in crime, grievous bodily harm, hazardous substances, news, press releases, sentencing, weapons by tracey

‘Reports of assaults and robberies involving the use of acid or other corrosive substances have increased in profile recently, with questions being asked as to how offenders who attack or threaten people with such substances are dealt with by the courts. In its guidelines for judges and magistrates, the Sentencing Council is clear that use of a corrosive substance is a factor that shows high culpability on the part of the offender.’

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Sentencing Council, 26th July 2017

Source: www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk

Daniella Lock: Questions Regarding Judicial Deference in R (Campaign Against the Arms Trade) v Secretary of State for International Trade – UK Constitutional Law Association

Posted July 21st, 2017 in EC law, export controls, international trade, news, Saudi Arabia, weapons by tracey

‘Last week, the High Court rejected a claim for judicial review, brought by the NGO “Campaign Against the Arms Trade” against the Secretary of State for International Trade, regarding the exporting of arms to Saudi Arabia. The judges presiding over the case were Lord Justice Burnett and Mr Justice Haddon-Cave. It is argued here that there are several important questions to be asked about the approach to judicial deference taken in this case. They relate to the ‘behind-the-scenes’ role that deference may have played in the judges’ approach to complex factual material in this case, and the extent to which further clarity, as to the treatment of such material in future cases, may be desirable.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 20th July 2017

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Home Secretary announces action plan to tackle acid attacks – Home Office

Posted July 17th, 2017 in criminal justice, government departments, hazardous substances, news, press releases, sentencing, weapons by tracey

‘Victims and survivors will be at the centre of a new government strategy aimed at reducing the number and impact of acid attacks.’

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Home Office, 16th July 2017

Source: www.gov.uk

High Court allows UK government to continue exporting arms to Saudi Arabia – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted July 12th, 2017 in export controls, news, Saudi Arabia, weapons by sally

‘A challenge to the legality of UK’s sale of arms to Saudi Arabia has failed. The claim sprang from the conflict in Yemen and the border areas of Saudi Arabia. It focussed on airstrikes conducted by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia in support of the legitimate government of Yemen against the Shia-led Houthi rebellion. UK arms export policy states that the government must deny licenses for sale of arms to regimes if there is a ‘clear risk’ that the arms ‘might’ be used in ‘a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law. This in turn is based on the EU Common Position 2008/944/CFSP on arms export control, which explicitly rules out the authorising of arms licences by Member States in these “clear risk” circumstances.’

Full Story

UK Human Rights Blog, 11th July 2017

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia ruled lawful – BBC News

Posted July 10th, 2017 in evidence, export controls, news, Saudi Arabia, war, weapons by sally

‘UK government arms sales to Saudi Arabia are lawful, the High Court has ruled, after seeing secret evidence.’

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BBC News, 10th July 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

UK court to rule on Saudi arms exports – BBC News

Posted July 10th, 2017 in export controls, news, Saudi Arabia, United Nations, war, weapons by sally

‘The High Court is to rule later on the legality of UK arms exports to Saudi Arabia.’

Full Story

BBC News, 10th July 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Leicester mum jailed for gun and drugs in kitchen cupboard – BBC News

Posted June 12th, 2017 in drug offences, imprisonment, news, sentencing, weapons by sally

‘A mother who kept a gun and drugs in her kitchen cupboard has been jailed for eight years.’

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BBC News, 9th June 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Police failed to engage with public, Met knife campaign chief admits – The Guardian

Posted May 22nd, 2017 in London, news, police, statistics, violence, weapons, young persons by tracey

‘The head of the Metropolitan police’s anti-knife initiative, Operation Sceptre, has admitted past failures in engaging with communities most affected by youth violence, amid criticism of the force’s latest strategy to tackle the problem. But DCS Michael Gallagher said that for the latest phase of its strategy to reduce knife crime – launched after recent police figures showing a rise of 24% in the past year in London – the Met was ready to work with civil society groups to find joint solutions to the problem.’

Full story

The Guardian, 21st May 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Cressida Dick: Met chief will ‘bear down’ on violent crime – BBC News

Posted April 19th, 2017 in crime, London, news, police, statistics, violence, weapons by tracey

‘The new commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has promised to “bear down” on large rises in violent crime in London.’

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BBC News, 18th April 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

MPs raise concerns over tougher knife crime guidelines’ impact on prison populations – The Independent

Posted March 8th, 2017 in Ministry of Justice, news, prisons, select committees, sentencing, violence, weapons by tracey

‘MPs have raised concerns over tougher knife crime sentencing guidelines due to the “substantial” impact it could have on the escalating prison population in Britain.’

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The Independent, 8th March 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Amber Rudd authorises more powerful Tasers for police – The Guardian

Posted March 3rd, 2017 in news, police, weapons by tracey

‘The home secretary, Amber Rudd, has authorised a more powerful Taser stun gun to be issued to police officers in England and Wales despite concerns over a number of deaths and serious injuries connected with their use.’

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The Guardian, 2nd March 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Judicial review aiming to stop UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia to begin – The Guardian

Posted February 7th, 2017 in international law, news, sale of goods, Saudi Arabia, select committees, weapons by sally

‘A judicial review that aims to halt UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia because they could be used to illegally kill civilians in Yemen is set to begin on Tuesday.’

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The Guardian, 7th February 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Amber Rudd to allow police to use new Taser ‘within weeks’ – The Guardian

Posted December 5th, 2016 in news, police, weapons by sally

‘Police officers across Britain are expected to be issued with a new and more powerful Taser gun despite calls for use of the potentially fatal weapon to be curtailed, the Guardian has learned.’

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The Guardian, 4th December 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Date set for court challenge to ban British arms sales to Saudi Arabia – The Independent

Posted October 28th, 2016 in international relations, news, Saudi Arabia, war crimes, weapons by sally

‘A date has been set for a High Court court challenge that could halt British arms sales to Saudi Arabia – amid mounting accusations the country is committing war crimes’

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The Independent, 28th October 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Family of man who died after police Tasering receive payout – The Guardian

Posted August 19th, 2016 in bereavement, compensation, news, police, weapons by tracey

‘The family of a man who died after being Tasered by police while soaked in petrol have agreed to an out-of-court financial settlement.’

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The Guardian, 18th August 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Dalian Atkinson: Police officers probed over footballer death – BBC News

Posted August 19th, 2016 in complaints, homicide, news, police, weapons by tracey

‘Two police officers are under criminal investigation after the death of former Aston Villa star Dalian Atkinson who died after he was shot with a Taser.’

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BBC News, 18th August 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Taser regulation ‘not strong enough’ – BBC News

Posted August 17th, 2016 in news, police, weapons by sally

‘Sophie Khan, a lawyer specialising in Taser injuries, explains on the Today programme her concerns about Taser training and regulation in the UK and questions the amount of force used by the police.’

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BBC News, 16th August 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘Zombie knives’ ban to come into force – BBC News

Posted August 15th, 2016 in codes of practice, homicide, news, offensive weapons, sale of goods, sentencing, statistics, weapons by sally

‘A ban on the sale of so-called “zombie knives” is set to come into force in England and Wales later this week.’

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BBC News, 15th August 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Teenager sentenced for Derby knife murder – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted August 1st, 2016 in murder, press releases, sentencing, violent disorder, weapons, young offenders by Mark L

‘A 16-year-old has been sentenced to 14 years in custody for the murder of 22-year-old Tom Webb, who was stabbed to death in the centre of Derby in January 2016.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 29th July 2016

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Five things you may have missed about the Chilcot inquiry – The Guardian

Posted July 27th, 2016 in armed forces, budgets, corruption, inquiries, Iraq, news, nuclear weapons, parliament, police, statistics, war, weapons by sally

‘Much of the furore surrounding the Iraq war report focused on the failings of Tony Blair. But there were other, crucial findings that shouldn’t be ignored.’

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The Guardian, 26th July 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk