The Government has this week announced further proposed changes to criminal law and procedure. The taking of non-consensual photographs or video recordings of breastfeeding mothers will be made a specific offence punishable by up to two years in prison. It covers situations where the motive is to obtain sexual gratification, or to cause humiliation, distress … Continued
This week four people were acquitted of criminal damage after admitting to pulling down the Colston Statue in Bristol and throwing it into the Quay. A number of commentators have expressed their outrage at the juries decision and have called for the Attorney General to appeal the acquittal. In this article, we discuss … Continued
A consultation has been launched into a new ‘Victims’ Law’ that the Justice Secretary says would guarantee greater consultation with victims during the criminal justice process. The Crown Prosecution Service, police and courts would have to properly account for the service they provide to victims and make sure their voices are properly heard. Who or … Continued
DNA and biometric evidence The Commissioner for the Retention and Use of Biometric Material, Fraser Sampson, has published his annual report for 2020. What are biometrics? The report provides a working definition of biometrics that is based on the four features that researchers say are essential for a biometric p ersonal identifier to be … Continued
Tony’s law Tony Hudgell was left severely disabled after he was abused by his birth parents who were sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment. His adoptive parents, Paula and Mark Hudgell, campaigned for longer sentences for these crimes and “Tony’s law” is now to be introduced. The current law Under the current law, the maximum sentence … Continued
The government recently introduced a package of measures aimed at keeping the public safe from terrorists by imposing longer prison terms. The Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act came into force in April and introduced a new “serious terrorism sentence” and provides a minimum term of 14 years and monitoring for up to 25 years after release. … Continued
An announcement from the Department for Transport says that the government will be strengthening road traffic laws to make it illegal to use a mobile phone in most circumstances while driving. Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, made the announcement and said the government aimed to make it easier to prosecute those using their phone while … Continued
Spiking – its not new There have been many headlines recently relating to women and their safety, particularly at night. From murders to assaults and cases of spiking, there are real issues that need to be addressed. The most recent government announcement on the issue is funding for new projects focusing on improving the safety … Continued
With COP26 taking place, the environment and how we care for it is all over the news. New legislation designed to protect and enhance the environment has now passed into UK law. The Environment Act provides legally binding targets to be enforced by a new Independent Office for Environmental Protection, which will hold government and … Continued
There are approximately 500,000 listed buildings in England alone, with some 92% being Grade II. A building is listed when it is of special architectural or historic interest in a national context. Listed buildings have extra legal protection within the planning system. Listing covers a whole building, including the interior, unless parts of it … Continued
It is commonly thought that a magistrates’ court does not have the power to resolve all issues that might lead to abuse of process being argued. In the recent case of Mansfield v Director of Public Prosecutions [2021] EWHC 2938 (Admin), the facts were as follows: The appellant challenged a decision refusing an application to … Continued
The Howard League for Penal Reform launched The Commission on Crime and Problem Gambling in 2019, and it is scheduled to end next year. The Commission seeks to answer three questions: What are the links between problem gambling and crime? What impact do these links have on communities and society? What should be done? … Continued
