Daily Crime News

White Paper sets out path to modern, innovative jails that protect the public and reform prisoners.

Contract of private operator at 'inadequate' youth jail near Rugby ended by 'mutual consent'  Rugby Observer

Some of Europe’s most wanted criminals are long-term fugitives who have escaped capture by law enforcement for many years. Some of them could even be living relatively ordinary lives at present but have a dark, criminal past that they are desperate to hide. The European Network of Fugitive Active Search Teams (ENFAST), supported by Europol, is launching the EU Most...

Between 8 and 12 November, Europol supported large-scale international action against trafficking in human beings. 29 countries*, led by Austria and Romania, took part in the action days, which were coordinated by Europol and Frontex. The activities saw more than 14 000 law enforcement officers target trafficking routes on roads and at airports. This resulted in 212 arrests and the...

Law Commission says 'private conversations' should be excluded from 'stirring up hatred' offences.

‘Isle of Wight Council’s decision that a privately owned way in Ryde was not a “road” for the purposes of the Traffic Regulation Act 1984 has been overturned, following a High Court legal challenge.’ Full StoryLocal Government Lawyer, 6th December 2021Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

‘Nearly two-thirds of London rape victims who drop their complaint do so within a month of going to police, with the proportion tripling in two years, according to a report.’ Full StoryThe Guardian, 7th December 2021Source: www.theguardian.com

Large City law firms are clubbing together to pay for the training costs of people working in social welfare law – whether as paralegals, legal executives or apprentices – who want to become solicitors. The post City law firms fund training of social welfare solicitors appeared first on Legal Futures.

Today, the Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Act will commence to better protect patients in mental health settings over the inappropriate use of force

Under new plans, each jail will be given a target on the number of drug tests that must be carried out.

A 10-year plan to cut crime and save lives by reducing the supply and demand for drugs and delivering a high-quality treatment and recovery system.

Omani respondents failed to attend London hearing either in person or by representation.

HM Prison and Probation Service action plan for Belmarsh Prison in response to HM Inspectorate of Prisons inspection.

This report sets out the government’s position on the implementation of human rights judgments from the European Court of Human Rights and our domestic courts.

Report increases fears government is determined to weaken judicial scrutiny Boris Johnson is planning to let ministers throw out legal rulings they disagree with, according to a report that has increased fears that the government is determined to weaken judicial scrutiny after a series of defeats in court.An ally of the prime minister told the Times that the judicial review and courts bill going through parliament “doesn’t go far enough” for the prime minister, who is considering an option, drawn up by the lord chancellor, Dominic Raab, and the attorney general, Suella Braverman, which would enable it to strike out findings from judicial reviews with which the government does not agree. Continue reading...

Six men have had their sentences increased following an intervention by the then Solicitor General.

‘A member of the Royal Navy, whose rape case collapsed in a military court, has backed calls for serious offences committed in the UK to be investigated and tried through civilian courts.’ Full StoryBBC News, 6th December 2021Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Campaigners say government going backwards by targeting ‘lifestyle’ users of class A drugs with tough criminal sanctionsMiddle-class drug users are to be targeted as part of a 10-year strategy to be announced by Boris Johnson’s government with a heavy focus on war-on-drugs-era punishment.So-called “lifestyle” users of class A drugs face losing their passports or driving licences under proposals designed to target wealthy professionals who the government will argue are driving exploitative practices with their demand.Contacting clients based on drug dealers’ seized phones with a range of messages to discourage their drug use and direct them to getting support.A commitment to dismantling more than 2,000 county lines and making thousands more arrests.Investing up to £145m in the county lines programme, targeting the road and rail networks and protecting those exploited and supporting them to rebuild their lives.Expanding drug testing on arrest – supporting police forces to test more individuals.Developing out-of-court disposal projects to ensure those who misuse drugs face tougher consequences.The largest ever single increase in investment in treatment and recovery, which is understood to be made available to 50 local authorities. Continue reading...

An updated Surveillance Camera Code was laid before Parliament on 16 November 2021.

Some of Europe’s most wanted criminals are long-term fugitives who have escaped capture by law enforcement for many years. Some of them could even be living relatively ordinary lives at present but have a dark, criminal past that they are desperate to hide.

John Croucher admits contravening food regulations after incident in which woman died in NorthamptonshireA church harvest supper at a village pub ended in tragedy when one of the congregation was killed and 31 others suffered food poisoning after eating a shepherd’s pie filled with mince that had been incorrectly prepared by a rushing chef.Elizabeth Neuman, 92, repeatedly vomited after eating the pie and died while other parishioners became “unpleasantly ill” and three of those attending only escaped because they were vegetarians, Reading crown court heard. Continue reading...

Upskirting prosecutions more than doubled over the second year of the legislation being in force, with CPS analysis finding at least a third of offenders are also committing other serious sexual crimes.

A woman was a victim of a miscarriage of justice after prosecutors charged incorrectly, says judge.

These Regulations amend the Littering From Vehicles Outside London (Keepers: Civil Penalties) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/171, “the 2018 Regulations”).

The change to the Serious Violence Duty will be made via an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

An amendment to the PCSC Bill would give the police the power to stop and search people to seize items intended to cause serious disruption by ‘locking-on’.

Victims of modern slavery will be identified earlier in criminal investigations - saving them from being wrongly prosecuted – as prosecutors reinforce best working practices in new legal guidance published today.

Journalists were failing to properly explore justice issues ‘focusing more on the symptoms than root causes’, according to research published this week. A new report by the Criminal Justice Alliance, a coalition of 160 organisations, into media reporting of the criminal justice system highlighted the concerns of people with lived experience dealing with the press.

At the Committee Stage the government introduced extensive and substantial amendments which had not been considered by the House of Commons and were not on the face of the Bill at the House of Lords Second Reading. Having been introduced at Committee Stage, they were then withdrawn but Baroness Williams stated that the government intends to bring them forward at Report Stage - see Hansard House of Lords 24 November 2021 .

Good afternoon, everyone. I am pleased to be here with you today, and it is a pleasure to follow the Chief Magistrate – supporting vulnerable victims and witnesses is a priority for all of us, and it was invaluable to hear his insight.

Many prisoners on remand are facing a second year in prison as a result of the growing backlog in the courts, according to a legal charity which reported that one in ten prisoners held on remand in England and Wales has been in prison for more than a year. Image is from Proof magazine, issue

The number of reports about barristers’ conduct outside their professional lives continues to rise, the BSB has revealed. It also highlighted problems with victims of bullying not being treated with dignity. The post Barristers’ conduct outside of work under increasing scrutiny appeared first on Legal Futures.

Together with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and INTERPOL, Border Force seized over 250 products at the UK border containing endangered wildlife.

Alan Butler has had his sentence doubled by the Court of Appeal following a referral by the Solicitor General, Alex Chalk QC MP.

Five justices consider whether someone under criminal investigation can have a reasonable expectation of privacy before they are charged.

Exclusive: Analysis of MoJ figures for England and Wales reveals disproportionate level of misconduct inquiries in some jailsUp to one in 11 staff in some prisons across England and Wales have faced at least one misconduct investigation for allegations including sexual harassment and assault, Guardian analysis of Ministry of Justice data shows.The data, obtained via freedom of information laws, has revealed that for the year 2019-20, one in 11, or 9%, of staff at the Mount, a category C men’s prison in Hertfordshire, faced at least one misconduct investigation, the highest proportion of all prisons across England and Wales. Continue reading...

The CBA (@TheCriminalBar) retweeted:Baby it's cold inside 🥶 Frozen lawyers say they can barely work in some courtrooms where heating systems have failed during the cold snap. @JohnHyde1982 lawgazette.co.uk/news/were-free…- Law Society Gazette (@lawsocgazette)07:39 - Nov 29, 2021

The adoptive family of Tony Hudgell, seven, have campaigned for harsher sentences for abusers.

‘Child abusers will face more time behind bars after the Government confirmed plans to increase the maximum penalties for a range of cruelty offences.’ Full StoryMinistry of Justice, 30th November 2021Source: www.gov.uk

In response to the Omicron variant of Coronavirus (Covid-19), the government has made new Regulations relating to the wearing of face coverings and self-isolation. As an example, they must be worn in shops, enclosed shopping centres, banks, building societies and post offices but they need not be worn in restaurants, cafes and canteens, bars, public houses etc.

An engineering company has been sentenced for safety breaches after a worker’s hand became trapped in a stamping machine. The post £80k fine for engineering company after worker severed finger in machinery appeared first on SHP - Health and Safety News, Legislation, PPE, CPD and Resources.

A solicitor who used money inherited by a jailed client to pay off his law firm’s overdraft has been struck off, with an attempt to blame a former employee dismissed as "nonsensical". The post Solicitor used prisoner’s inheritance to pay off overdraft appeared first on Legal Futures.

An MP whose main professional link with the law is a spell as head of publishing at the Law Society at the turn of the century was yesterday named as Labour’s shadow justice secretary. The post Starmer names one-time legal publisher as shadow justice secretary appeared first on Legal Futures.

A Merseyside man has been convicted of selling cannabis on an industrial scale.

This policy framework provides instructions for managers and front-line staff to ensure that training, care and deployment of prison dogs.

Three men who were part of a gang that stabbed a man to death have had their sentences increased after the Solicitor General, Alex Chalk QC MP referred the case to the Court of Appeal.

Data tables relating to offences involving weapons as recorded by police and hospital episode statistics.

These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Operator Liability) (England) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/582). They add six counties to the list of Category 3 countries and territories in Schedule 3, and amend Schedule 13 to prevent aircraft from those countries and territories arriving the England except in limited circumstances. They also permit those people arriving from a category 3 country or territory between 12 noon on Friday 26th November 2021 and 4 a.m. on Sunday 28th November 2021 to self-isolate in their homes or other suitable places as though they were in accommodation designated by the Secretary of State, and require any other person staying in that accommodation to self-isolate with them.

Part 2 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (c. 11) makes provision for the proscription of organisations (including setting out offences in relation to proscribed organisations in sections 11 to 13). An organisation is proscribed if it is listed in Schedule 2 to the Act or, in most cases, it operates under the same name as an organisation so listed (section 3(1)).

There have been eight suicides and four non-natural deaths in the last three years in a failing prison that has not received a positive inspection for more than a decade. After visiting HMP Chelmsford in August this year, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor invoked the urgent notification process requiring the justice minister to

An organised criminal group involving 30 Romanian nationals has been apprehended following an operation conducted by law enforcement authorities in France, Germany and Romania, supported by Europol and Eurojust. The group is suspected of thefts targeting cargo transport rest areas along main road haulage routes between Romania, France and Germany. The group mainly targeted cargo shipments of alcohol and small electronics, stealing goods worth an estimated EUR 2.5 million.

Deadline set for UK to decide on extraditing Mike Lynch to US  Financial Times

Rules and guidance for prison staff on controlling items being brought into, taken out of and kept within prisons.

‘Domestic abuse now accounts for one in eight crimes reported to the Met Police, new figures show.’ Full StoryBBC News, 24th November 2021Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Six out of 10 women in prisons are serving sentences of less than a year, leaving the small minority of ‘invisible women’ left on long determinate or indeterminate sentences whose experience is little understood. A new briefing published by the Prison Reform Trust on its work exploring how long-term imprisonment, 10 years or more in custody),

Editors, publishers and social media users are reminded of their responsibilities under the Contempt of Court Act 1981 (the Act).

“You’d want to see him put to death! You’d want it to be cruel and unusual, which is why it’s probably a good idea that fathers of murder victims don’t have legal rights in these situations – now we’re going back to school!” Toby Ziegler, The West Wing, Season 4 Episode 6   Four weeks after their...

A mother of four who fraudulently claimed almost £100,000 in benefits has been sentenced.

Terrorism is a constant threat to societies all over the world and terrorists’ use of the internet and social media has increased enormously in recent years. Jihadist groups, in particular, have demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of how social networks operate and have launched well-organised, concerted social media campaigns to recruit followers. These campaigns promote or glorify acts of terrorism and violent extremism and have led to viral online content in the past.

A total of 50 websites dedicated to the distribution of online terrorist propaganda and promoting violent jihadist ideology were targeted over the course of a referral action that took place in the last week of October.

Anti-racism campaigners have long turned to the legal system for help, whether that be to tackle the injustice of slavery in the 1770s, or the racial bias of facial recognition technology in the 2020s. But just how helpful have legal processes been for challenging racial injustices? As outlined in a new report that I have

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced new £2.4m investment in expanding existing programmes and implementing new schemes which focus on addressing the behaviour of perpetrators of domestic abuse and protecting victims. The £2.4m investment includes more than £900,000 provided from joint City Hall and Home Office funds to deliver the Mayor’s pilot programme to provide crucial early intervention from the first signs of domestic abuse and change the behaviour of the person being violent.

Lord Burnett of Maldon defends progress being made to improve diversity in the selection process.

Violence against women and girls includes a variety of experiences such as domestic abuse, harassment and homicide. This analysis details the prevalence of these experiences across England and Wales and the long-term effects…

A fourth member of the so called Stockwell Six – a group of black men falsely accused of assaulting British transport police nearly half a century ago – yesterday had his conviction quashed at the Court of Appeal. Four months after three of the six were cleared (as reported on the Justice Gap here), Texo

I have always felt that there was something lingering in the background of all my projects, work and writings. A bigger picture that I could not see. The issue that I would not address. The dialogue that I would not have. This feeling became gradually stronger, as I learned to observe myself, my actions (or

Ministers back Lissie Harper's campaign to jail those who kill on-duty police and 999 workers for life.

Campaigners say London could see its worst year for youth killings for more than a decade.

Greater Manchester Police officer Lee Cunliffe arranged to engage in sexual activity with a child.

The government has introduced legislation to create a new offence of what it calls “dog theft.” If passed it will form one of the weirdest additions to the criminal law since the 1745 Profane Oaths Act. Profane cursing, which the 1745 Act made a criminal offence was, no doubt, a common problem in 1745. The … Continue reading "What is the point of the new so-called “dog theft” law?" The post What is the point of the new so-called “dog theft” law? appeared first on BarristerBlogger.

The Holiday Inn Express in Dunstable, Bedfordshire has been fined following a serious health and safety breach.  The post Holiday Inn Express fined for health and safety breach appeared first on SHP - Health and Safety News, Legislation, PPE, CPD and Resources.

The inquiry will examine whether allegations made against PC Wayne Couzens were properly handled.

Rt Hon Dame Elish Angiolini QC will lead a two-part inquiry to address the issues raised by the abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard.

A project celebrating local Portsmouth community heroes has had a helping hand from Portsmouth Combined Court, where a giant mural has been painted on an outside wall of the court building.

Nearly 5,000 people contacted the charity helpline in six months - a 36% rise on the same period last year.

James Dean Clarke has had his sentence increased by the Court of Appeal

Legislation reviewer warns against treating mental health differently in terrorism investigationsTerrorism should be treated in the same way as ordinary crime when it comes to any connection to mental health issues, a terrorism laws watchdog has said, as more information comes to light about the dead Liverpool bombing suspect.It has become increasingly clear that Emad al-Swealmeen, who police believe blew himself up in a taxi outside Liverpool Women’s hospital on Remembrance Sunday, suffered from poor mental health, with detectives revealing on Friday they had gathered evidence from his brother on his “recent state of mind”. Continue reading...

This week CPS North West launched a new knife crime learning resource at Essa Academy in Bolton. The resource is based on the real-life case involving the murder of Jon-Jo Highton in Preston in 2014. The CPS team including Yusuf Tai, the North West's Community Engagement and Inclusion Manager and Brett Gerrity, Senior Crown Prosecutor, presented the knife crime case to a group of 13-14-year-old budding young Crown Prosecutors.

HMCTS tries to clear up confusion over scheme designed to allow legal professionals to bypass security.

‘“Myself and my family have suffered life-changing trauma,” a domestic abuse victim tells The Independent. “Following the attack, I am unable to work due to my injuries and live in paralysing fear of what will happen when he is released in eight years.” Her ex-partner was jailed for life – but with a minimum term

‘Banks will be forced to refund fraud victims who transfer money to scammers under Government-backed plans to make repayments compulsory.’ Full StoryDaily Telegraph, 19th November 2021Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

The use of stop and search in England and Wales increased by 24% in the year ending March 2021 and black people were seven times more likely to be stopped than white, according to the latest figures published by Home Office. According to the most recent data, there were over 695,000 stop and searches carried

Right wing poses twice the threat of radicalisation than Islamic extremists according to governmentRightwing extremists are using Covid controversies and online gaming as a way of recruiting young people, as data shows half of the most serious cases of suspected radicalisation reported by schools and colleges now involve far-right activity.Figures published by the Home Office show twice as many young people in education in England and Wales last year were thought to be at risk of radicalisation by the extreme right-wing, compared with those at risk from Islamic extremists. Continue reading...

Any use of hand-held device, not just phoning, while driving will risk a £200 fine and six licence points.

Dr Siaron West says specialist training made "at least half a dozen of my patients" spring to mind.

Simplify says it cannot comment on what caused major IT systems outage.

Trends in cautioning and sentencing of knife and offensive weapon offences.

Statistics on stop and search, arrests for notifiable offences.

More than three-quarters of prisoners leaving the largest women’s prison in Europe were released without safe and secure accommodation. The latest report by the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) into HMP Bronzefield Prison, a privately-run prison in Surrey run by Sodexo Justice Services, calls on the government to take ‘urgent action’ to address the lack of

A man who engaged in sexual communications through Facebook with a “paedophile hunter” has had his sentence increased

These Rules make amendments to the Prison Rules 1999 (S.I. 1999/728) (“the Prison Rules”) and the Young Offender Institution Rules 2000 (S.I. 2000/3371) (“the YOI Rules”). The amendments reflect the changes made by the Prisons (Substance Testing) Act 2021 (c. 18). That Act, which entered into force on 9 December 2021, introduced changes to improve the capability of prisons in England and Wales to test for the use of illicit substances by prisoners. Prior to the changes made by that Act prisons could require prisoners to provide a sample for any “controlled drug” or “drugs specified” in the Prison and YOI Rules. New drugs could be added to the list of those that could be tested for but only by making amendments to the rules by secondary legislation. Due to the chemical composition of psychoactive substances, in particular, being subject to rapid change this meant repeated amendments were needed in response to small changes in substance composition. The changes being made by these Rules mean that tests can be carried out for the broader generic definition of psychoactive substances and “prescription only medicines” and “pharmacy medicines” introduced by the 2021 Act. The changes made by these Rules will help staff in Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and other agencies to understand the full extent and nature of substance misuse in prisons, and to take appropriate action to prevent it.

These Regulations bring the Prisons (Substance Testing) Act 2021 into force on 8th December 2021.

Esther Brown, 67, was attacked by convicted sex offender Jason Graham while he was being monitored by police.

New innovative technology to help stop the spread of child sexual abuse material on end-to-end encrypted social media and online messaging platforms will be developed thanks to UK government funding.

Offenders released from prison face being banned from drinking from today (17 November 2021) under world-first plans to curb alcohol-fuelled crime.

Criminal justice system 'failing' to meet the needs of the mentally ill, report finds  Sky News

These Regulations are the first commencement regulations made under the Environment Act 2021 (c. 30) (“the Act”).

Peter Outlaw, 36, has been banned from dealing in most forms of waste and ordered to pay more than £5,000 for illegally storing and burning mixed waste.

National Highways has again teamed up with Police forces across the South East in a fresh bid to improve safety on one of the most important routes in the region.