Daily Crime News

The ‘failing’ parole system lacked ‘independence, power, and discretion’, according to a new study which argues that the parole board itself needs to be ‘reconstituted’ as a properly-funded tribunal free from ‘government pressure’. The recommendations come from the law reform group JUSTICE which reports that backlogs have ‘plagued the parole system in recent years’ and lead

A lorry driver has been jailed for nine years after attempting to smuggle cocaine worth £2.1 million into the UK in his truck.

Figures show the average time to deal with a crime rose by 15%, adding to a massive backlog.

Wayne Slough has been sentenced to an immediate prison term following referral to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General Alex Chalk, QC MP.

The government’s commitment to its strategy to improve outcomes for women in the criminal justice system was damned as ‘weak’ and ‘disappointing’ in a heavily critical report by the spending watchdog. The National Audit Office (NAO) reports that the Ministry of Justice had made ‘limited progress’ on its ‘Female Offender Strategy’ and devoted just a

Names and faces of men thought to be hiding in Spain, wanted for alleged crimes including murder, are releasedPolice have published the names and faces of 12 of the most wanted British criminal suspects thought to be hiding in Spain, in an effort to track them down.A joint campaign involving Spanish and UK police forces was launched on Wednesday in Madrid with a picture gallery of men wanted in connection with crimes including murder, drug trafficking and arms smuggling. Continue reading...

Government is consulting on new measures to boost British businesses’ cyber security after recent high profile attacks

‘A neo-Nazi terror offender who was spared jail and ordered to read Jane Austen resumed his interest in far-right extremism within days, a court has heard.’ Full StoryThe Independent, 19th January 2022Source: www.independent.co.uk

National Audit Office chief says lack of clear goals makes it hard to evaluate progress.

The Crown Prosecution Service has this week began a three month consultation on revising its guidance on ‘mercy killing’ and suicide pact cases including allowing for additional ‘public interest’ factors when a loved one acts ‘wholly out of compassion’ for the deceased. The draft guidance removes previous advice that in the case of a suspected mercy

Plans to double magistrates’ sentencing powers to one year were described by defence lawyers as ‘a sticking plaster’ applied to a broken justice system. Dominic Raab, Justice Secretary, announced yesterday that magistrates sentencing powers were to increase from their current maximum of six months to target the increasing backlog of trials for the crown courts

The author of the criminal legal aid review said yesterday that solicitors’ firms are in a “more parlous” state than the Bar, where the picture was “mixed”. The post Criminal law solicitors suffering more than barristers, says Bellamy appeared first on Legal Futures.

Sam Crouch has had his sentence increased after it was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General, Alex Chalk QC MP.

Technology tycoon facing extradition begins latest stage of legal battle  The Independent

An international investigation involving the National Crime Agency has led to the takedown of LabVPN – a service used by cyber-criminals to facilitate their illicit activities.

The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, The Right Honourable The Lord Burnett of Maldon has reappointed Mary Tuckett JP to be the Regional Leadership Magistrate for the South East on the advice of the Senior Presiding Judge, The Right Honourable Lord Justice Haddon-Cave. Mrs Tuckett’s term of office took effect on 1st January

The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, The Right Honourable The Lord Burnett of Maldon has reappointed Alexia Fetherstonhaugh JP to be the Regional Leadership Magistrate for London on the advice of the Senior Presiding Judge, The Right Honourable Lord Justice Haddon-Cave. Mrs Fetherstonhaugh’s term of office took effect on 1st January 2022 and

The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, The Right Honourable The Lord Burnett of Maldon has appointed Lisa Gerson JP to be Wales Leadership Magistrate on the advice of the Senior Presiding Judge, The Right Honourable Lord Justice Haddon-Cave. Mrs Gerson’s term of office took effect on 1st January 2022 and will run until

Pregnant women should not be sent to prison instead their sentences should be deferred, suspended or replaced with community orders, according to a new report published this week. The study by academics at Coventry University and City, University of London, estimates that 600 pregnant women enter prisons in the UK every year and about 50 are

The decriminalisation of cannabis possession offences is needed to mitigate disproportionate drugs policing and the ‘hyper criminalisation’ of ethic minorities, according to leading policy researchers. A new report from the drug reform charity Release (Regulating Right, Repairing Wrongs: Exploring Equity and Social Justice Initiatives within UK Cannabis Reform) has drawn attention to how the ‘skewed enforcement

Campaigners are calling for an end to all Covid-related prosecutions in the UK after it was revealed that one in three prosecutions were incorrectly brought. An review by the Crown Prosecution Service found that hundreds of people have been wrongly charged and prosecuted under the Health Protection (Restrictions, Coronavirus) Regulations and the Coronavirus Act 2020

CPS working to get PC Sharon Beshenivsky suspect extradited  Bradford Telegraph and Argus

It's not just mental health professionals who have to spot self-harm, updated health guidance says.

Peers vote 242-185 for heavier penalties in England and Wales as ministers lose 14 divisionsThe House of Lords has voted to make misogyny a hate crime in England and Wales, in a night of several defeats for the government in the upper chamber.The law change would enable judges to impose stronger penalties if prejudice against women is proved to be the motivation, and would also require the police to record whether crimes were motivated by a hatred of someone’s sex or gender. Continue reading...

Raphael Chevelleau, 43, has been sentenced today for assaulting five people at Manchester Arndale Shopping Centre on 11 October 2019.   Chevelleau was sentenced to a hospital order at Manchester Crown Court for three offences of wounding with intent and two offences of attempted wounding. He had armed himself with a knife and launched an unprovoked attack on the five unsuspecting victims, causing stab injuries to four of them.  

Former justice secretary defends police and crime bill as it reaches its final stages in parliamentThe police, crime, sentencing and courts bill that has sparked “kill the bill” demonstrations across the country is a “proportionate” response to recent protests such as those by Insulate Britain, the former justice secretary Robert Buckland has said.Protesters took to the streets in cities across the UK at the weekend to rally against the police and crime bill, which is reaching its final stages in parliament and will be considered by the House of Lords on Monday. Continue reading...

The number of people behind bars in the United States dropped 15% to 1,215,800 as its imprisonment rate fell to a 30-year low as a result of the pandemic. In nine states the prison population dropped by more than 20% and the number of prisoners in California fell below 100,000 for the first time since

The CBA (@TheCriminalBar) retweeted:Hundreds of criminal trials delayed due to state of courts as 754 sitting days lost mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/h…- Natasha Lloyd-Owen (@NLloydOwen)01:35 - Jan 16, 2022

The disturbance in Manchester city centre involved around 100 schoolchildren, police said.

A romance fraudster who conned several women out of thousands of pounds and targeted hundreds more has been jailed for 28 months, following a National Crime Agency investigation.

Academics and clinicians say bill ‘will have a profound negative impact on young people’s mental health’Hundreds of clinical psychiatrists and psychologists have warned that the police and crime bill reaching its final stages in parliament “will have a profound negative impact on young people’s mental health”.“We cannot think of better measures to disempower and socially isolate young people,” they say in an open letter signed by more than 350 academics and clinicians and published online. Continue reading...

The Court of Appeal has increased the sentence of a Cambridgeshire child abuser after it was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General

A 71-year-old man has been jailed for 30 years today (14 January 2022) at Portsmouth Crown Court for sexually abusing four children between 1978 and 2009. Anthony Plummer, from Portsmouth, was found guilty of offences including rape, attempt rape and indecent assault of girls ranging between 9 and 17 years old. The offences spanned two periods of time: the first between 1978 and 1984, and the second period between 2006 and 2008.

Calls were made by lawyers and a family of a victim of the Guildford bombings for a wider inquiry.

The Home Office-backed scheme 'Ask for ANI' is now operating in over half of all UK pharmacies including independents and chains such as Boots and Superdrug.

Two priests who climbed on to a rush-hour train are acquitted, along with a third climate activist.

‘The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is seeking views on a proposed update to legal guidance on homicide, to assist prosecutors considering the public interest when dealing with suspects in deaths arising out of failed suicide pacts and so called “mercy killings”.’ Full Story Crown Prosecution Service, 14th January 2022Source: www.cps.gov.uk

This operation, known as Conversus, was led by the Romanian National Police (Poliția Română) in the framework of the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT). It focused around an action week coordinated by Europol between 13-17 December 2021 and involved law enforcement from 24 countries, alongside Eurojust and the European Commission. Results House searches conducted: over 260 Gas/alarm pistols...

Extra 500 staff to oversee 3 million more hours of Community Payback each year.

A barrister who lied about his earnings to reduce the amount of tax he paid has been jailed for 21 months. He deliberately understated his income and inflated his expenses over a five-year period. The post Barrister jailed for five-year fraud to reduce amount of tax he paid appeared first on Legal Futures.

These Regulations are made in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 4(2) and 24a(8) of retained Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing (EUR 2009/1099) (the “PATOK Regulation”). Under Article 4(2), the appropriate authority may amend Annex 1 to the PATOK Regulation to take account of scientific and technical progress. In relation to England, “the appropriate authority” is defined by Article 2a(1)(a) as the Secretary of State.

Liam Goodenough has had his sentence tripled following a referral to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General, Alex Chalk QC MP.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid says people in England can end isolation after two negative tests on day six.

‘A police officer who was caught trying to arrange the abuse of an eight-year-old girl and accessed indecent images of a vulnerable teenager has been jailed for eight years and four months.’ Full StoryThe Independent, 12th January 2022Source: www.independent.co.uk

‘An independent report into the serial killer’s death also criticises the use of restraints on him while being taken to hospital.’ Full StoryDaily Telegraph, 12th January 2022Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

‘A police officer who photographed a dead woman’s partially-naked body has been sacked after being found guilty of gross misconduct.’ Full StoryBBC News, 12th January 2022Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Peers debated an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill seeking to secure ‘single sex’ prisons by ensuring prisoners were accommodated ‘by reference to their sex registered at birth’. The proposed legislation was accused of perpetuating stereotypes of trans women and withdrawn. Introducing the amendment, Lord Blencathra said that ‘the needs of women

A pre-inquest review into the attack takes place without a victim's family or their lawyers present.

Watchdog says younger children were targeted by online predators on an industrial scale during lockdownsInternet grooming of children has surged during lockdown, according to new research that found a threefold increase in online sexual abuse imagery featuring seven to 10-year-olds.The Internet Watch Foundation reported its worst year on record for child sex abuse online in 2021 as it confirmed 252,000 URLs containing images or videos of children being sexually abused, compared with 153,000 in the previous year. The UK-based charity said it had seen a large increase in self-generated material – where children are manipulated into recording their own abuse before it is shared online – with the fastest growing increase in such material occurring among seven to 10-year-olds. Continue reading...

The beauty of football is that anyone can play. All you need is a ball, some friends, and a goal. Fans can unite anywhere in the world with a shared love of a club, country or just the game itself. It is perhaps the most inclusive sport.

The Attorney General is going to challenge the sentence given to Frankie Smith at the Court of Appeal as she has concluded that it is too low.

Vile racist language and other online abuse connected to football could see offenders banned from attending matches in England and Wales for up to 10 years.

More people will be eligible for a pardon for historical criminal convictions of same-sex sexual activity and have them wiped from their records.

Broadcasters are “ready to go” with filming Crown Court hearings but the introduction of wholly televised trials is “some way down the line”, according to ITN’s head of legal and compliance. John Battle, who is also chair of the Media Lawyers Association, was appearing before a meeting of Parliament’s Justice Committee on “court reporting in … Continue reading "ITN legal chief says broadcasters 'ready to go' with Crown Court filming which will be 'good thing for justice'" The post ITN legal chief says broadcasters 'ready to go' with Crown Court filming which will be 'good thing for justice' appeared first on Press Gazette.

This consultation seeks to understand how victims can be better supported through and beyond the criminal justice process across England and Wales.

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is calling on UK charities and community groups to register their interest for funds to support good causes.

District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts) Sonia Lisa Sims retired with effect from 9 January 2022. Background information  District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts) Sims (65) was admitted as a Solicitor in 1987. She was appointed as a Deputy District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts) in 1998 and a District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts) in 2002.

A former in-house solicitor at NatWest has been struck off for child pornography convictions after he was found by police with 15,000 indecent images and videos. The post In-house lawyer struck off after child pornography conviction appeared first on Legal Futures.

CPS and FA to take action over homophobic chants as Chelsea players targeted  Football.London

Overall results of the operational activities 7 house searches 11 arrests (2 in France and 9 in Spain) Seizures include Drugs: 2 400 kg hashish, 112 kg marijuana Vehicles and petrol:  6 cars, 4 motorbikes, 2 trucks, 2 trailers, 4 helicopters modified to transport cannabis, 4 000 litres of petrol Armaments: 1 submachine gun, 2 guns, 1 shotgun, 2 bulletproof...

‘A police forensics expert who illegally stored images of murder victims and crime scenes on his own computer has been jailed for three years.’ Full StoryThe Independent, 10th January 2022Source: www.independent.co.uk

Staffordshire County Council has been prosecuted for failing to inspect and maintain trees on a public footpath, following the death of a member of the public. The post Council prosecuted after member of the public killed by falling tree appeared first on SHP - Health and Safety News, Legislation, PPE, CPD and Resources.

The family of a man who died suddenly after being released from custody have renewed their calls for the release of bodycam and CCTV footage by the police watchdog, requesting that the Home Secretary and Attorney General intervene in support of their claim. Mohamud Mohammad Hassan was a 24 year-old man who died on January

Prison inspectors have called described a category B prison in south west London as ‘crumbling, overcrowded, and vermin-infested’. HMP Wandsworth has a capacity of 1,368 prisoners and is one of the most overcrowded prisons in the country and most inmates share cells built for one. If it was not for a decision to cut the number

Only one in six criminal barristers say the judiciary make adequate allowance for their caring or childcare responsibilities, with many arguing that the interests of parties and counsel are the lowest priorities. The post The courts don’t care about us, criminal barristers say as strike looms appeared first on Legal Futures.

A charity set up by a south-east London law firm to bring cases on behalf of prisoners which are no longer covered by legal aid has doubled its caseload in only six months. The post Law firm’s prisoner charity doubles caseload in six months appeared first on Legal Futures.

The CBA (@TheCriminalBar) retweeted:‘Delay and uncertainty is killing people’ as remand inmates account for 40 per cent of suicides in prison inews.co.uk/news/delay-and…- Idle Courts (@CourtsIdle)14:34 - Jan 10, 2022

CPS pledge criminal action against football fans who use homophobic 'rent boy' chant  Telegraph.co.uk

Following the ongoing fallout from the trial of the Colston Four, and amid much confusion caused by the way in which the complicated issues have been presented by commentators and politicians, it may help to say a little more about criminal damage. I would like to take a hypothetical situation, wholly unrelated to the Colston...

The framework document has been developed by the Home Office in consultation with the Domestic Abuse Commissioner.

The Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised Hertfordshire Constabulary to charge Metropolitan Police officer David Carrick with nine additional offences.

Majority of respondents support tougher security measures to ensure preparedness for and protection from terrorist attacks.

‘A primary school teacher has been banned from teaching after sending thousands of pounds to individuals and groups linked to terrorism.’ Full StoryThe Independent. 10th January 2022Source: www.independent.co.uk

A group of young people working with London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) has commissioned research to better understand the impact on young Londoners of images seized by police that are published on social media. The Young People’s Action Group is committed to challenging the existing narrative around young people affected by violence, and it’s recognised as part of this focus that there is a strong debate around images of knives and dangerous weapons seized by the police being published online.

Ministers were being ‘disingenuous’ by deliberately downplaying the number of women prisoners ending up on the streets on release, according to a coalition of criminal justice campaigners including the Howard League for Penal Reform, Prison Reform Trust, Women in Prison and the Justice Gap. The campaign, co-ordinated by the Safe Homes for Women Leaving Prison

Cost-cutting plans to increase the use video links in criminal proceedings will discriminate against disabled defendants and risk serious miscarriages of justice, according to disability and criminal justice charities. Video and audio link hearings were widely used during the Covid-19 pandemic leaving vulnerable suspects accused of the most serious crimes including murder and rape without face-to-face legal advice when interviewed in the police station,

A college is helping former offenders and recovering addicts achieve qualifications in the fitness industry.

The legal duty has been championed by the mother of Martyn Hett, who was killed in the 2017 Manchester attack.

Campaigners say lack of parental controls on Oculus Quest 2 virtual reality headset could breach children’s safety code The UK’s data watchdog is seeking clarification from Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta about parental controls on its popular virtual reality headset, as campaigners warned that it could breach an online children’s safety code.The Information Commissioner’s Office said it was planning “further discussions” with the Facebook and Instagram owner about its £300 Oculus Quest 2 device, which was a sought-after gift over Christmas. However, child safety experts have warned that the headset’s lack of parental controls – which would allow parents to block content that could be harmful to children – expose young users to the threat of abuse on the platform. Continue reading...

The Environment Agency have prosecuted Mr Evran Connell, 54, of Kiln Lane, Healds Green, Chadderton, Oldham for failing to operate within an environmental permit

Darren Collins' actions were a "further grievous insult" to victims, a judge says.

The FCA has commenced criminal proceedings against the 2 former directors of Collateral (UK) Ltd (Collateral), Peter Currie and Andrew Currie, who each face 2 charges under the Fraud Act 2006 and 1 charge under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The FCA alleges that the Curries, who are brothers, dishonestly represented to investors that Collateral was authorised and regulated by the FCA to operate as a peer-to-peer lender knowing this was untrue. It is further alleged that shortly after Collateral was asked by the FCA to cease conduct of all regulated activities in January 2018 and shortly before the company ceased trading, the brothers dishonestly abused their positions by transferring funds to a separate company and, in addition, transferred further sums that they knew or suspected were the proceeds of crime into the bank accounts of Andrew Currie. Collateral is insolvent and is now in liquidation. Peter and Andrew Currie are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 26 January 2022. Notes to editors Peter Currie (DOB 14/04/1964); Andrew Currie (DOB 29/07/1965). On 28 February 2018, Collateral purported to appoint an administrator. On 27 April 2018, on the FCA’s application, the High Court ruled that this appointment was invalid and appointed alternative administrators proposed by the FCA. Collateral has subsequently been put into liquidation. The charges faced by Peter and Andrew Currie are fraud by false representation, contrary to sections 1 and 2 of the Fraud Act 2006; fraud by abuse of position, contrary to sections 1 and 4 of the Fraud Act 2006; and converting criminal property, contrary to section 329 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2000.

Edward Henry QC says Criminal Practitioner Association could wield the 'hard stick' during government negotiations.

The acquittal of four people is "causing confusion" but the referral would not change the verdict.

More than 300 specialist officers will also be drafted in to help local divisions cope with Covid issues.

A van driver who attempted to smuggle heroin and cocaine worth £16.5m by hiding it within catering supplies has been jailed for 10 years.

Letters between Lord Geidt and the Prime Minister.

Three men who conspired together in plots to supply guns and drugs have admitted a range of offences.

Grant Shapps leads calls to change law limiting prosecution of people who damage memorialsPath of resistance: timeline of protest against Edward ColstonBritain is not a country where “destroying public property can ever be acceptable”, a cabinet minister has said, as Conservative MPs vented their frustration at four people being cleared of tearing down a statue of the slave trader Edward Colston.Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, said the law would be changed to close a “potential loophole” limiting the prosecution of people who damage memorials as part of the police, crime, sentencing and courts (PCSC) bill. Continue reading...

‘Cases have included climate, environment, human rights and anti-war protests where damage to property was not denied.’ Full StoryThe Guardian, 6th January 2021Source: www.theguardian.com

Barbara Mills says next 12 months ‘critical’ in tackling systemic obstacles in legal professionOne of the few black female QCs in England and Wales has said the time has come for action and “no more talk” when it comes to tackling race inequality in the legal profession.Barbara Mills, who is co-chair of the Bar Council’s race working group, said the next 12 months would be “critical” to tackling systemic obstacles at the bar. Continue reading...

These Rules amend the Prison and Young Offender Institution (Coronavirus) (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2020 (S.I. 2020/508) (“the 2020 Rules”). Rules 2 and 3 amend Schedules 1 and 2 of the 2020 Rules to change the definition of “transition period” from the period of three months to be a period starting at the end of a transmission control period and finishing with 24th March 2022.

Three brothers have been found to have committed sexual offences against children in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Lord Ahmed of Rotherham is convicted of assaulting a young boy and a girl's attempted rape.

The Home Secretary has announced that the Home Office is establishing a new Scientific Advisory Committee to provide advice on ways of checking how old an asylum seeker is.

‘People who take part in hare coursing, an illegal bloodsport, face tougher sentences under plans set out by the government on Tuesday.’ Full StoryThe Independent, 4th January 2022Source: www.independent.co.uk

Bolton striker Dion Charles apologies as FA launch investigation into offensive tweets  Daily Mail

Spokesperson says account ‘suspended for violating rules on platform manipulation and spam’Twitter has permanently banned the popular news aggregation service Politics For All, in a sign of how the social media platform has substantial power to deprive news outlets of their audience without warning.A spokesperson said the account was “suspended for violating the Twitter Rules on platform manipulation and spam” and would not be allowed to return. Continue reading...

A separate amendment to police, crime, sentencing and courts bill gives domestic abuse victims longer to report crimes• A mother’s story of breastfeeding voyeurismVoyeurs who record images of breastfeeding women without permission and domestic abusers who escape jail because of time limits on prosecutions are being targeted by proposals put before parliament on Tuesday.A new offence of breastfeeding voyeurism, with a maximum sentence of two years, has been included by the Ministry of Justice in an amendment to the police, crime, sentencing and courts bill. Continue reading...