It is a nightmare scenario that potentially any parent could face. A child returns home, late at night in an agitated state. He hurriedly tells you that he has been in a fight, it wasn’t his fault, but someone has been hurt, badly. Further details are not forthcoming, but he thinks the police will be … Continued
A suspended sentence is a term of imprisonment that is suspended so that you do not go into custody immediately and will not go into custody if you comply with the conditions attached. Who can get a suspended sentence? In the Magistrates’ Court, any sentence of 6 months’ imprisonment (12 months for two or more … Continued
Coercing someone into marrying another for some financial or societal benefit is illegal.
Section 7 of the Bribery Act 2010 makes it an offence for a company to bribe another with the intent of obtaining or retaining business or to gain an advantage in business.
The simple answer is no, but there are potential consequences in certain circumstances. When can they ask? It is arguable that the police could ask you whenever they wanted for your PIN, you can always say no. The critical issue is whether they can take further action if you say no. When can they take … Continued
Is there a specific offence? Until now the only specific offence has been that of assaulting a police officer. This is a summary only offence which carries a maximum of 6 months imprisonment. There has always been an option to charge an offender with more serious offences, such as actual or grievous bodily harm, if … Continued
Who is Ben Stokes? He is the England cricketer who was charged with affray and acquitted by a jury. But the video showed him hitting someone? It did, his defence was that he was acting in self-defence, you can hit someone and still be not guilty of an offence in certain circumstances. Why did the … Continued
This article refers to adults, the law for youths is different. Do I have a right to bail? The starting point is that you have a “right” to be granted bail. This right can only be taken away in certain circumstances. These circumstances being that the court has substantial grounds to believe that if you … Continued
In the UK we have not had the death penalty for over 50 years. The last hanging in England took place in 1964 when Peter Allen and Gwynne Evans were hanged for the murder of John West, 15 months before the death penalty was abolished. Since then there has been a long-held opposition to the … Continued
In July 2014 the BBC filmed a search of Sir Cliff Richard’s property by the South Yorkshire Police. He was not arrested for any offence. South Yorkshire Police provided the BBC with information that enabled them to be present at the scene. The disclosure given was that he was under investigation and the date, time … Continued
Consent It should be easy enough, shouldn’t it? Yes or no? As always, life and the law are more complicated than that, and the issue of consent is not so simple. What is sexual consent? A person consents if she or he agrees by choice and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice. … Continued
Arson is a confusing area of the law as there are a number of different offences to consider. What are the different offences? 1. Simple arson 2. Arson, being reckless as to whether life is endangered 3. Arson with intent to endanger life Simple arson This offence is one of causing criminal damage by fire; … Continued
