The defendant appealed against his conviction for sexual grooming. Held: ‘On the face of it, the fact that the description of the offence in the heading is ‘meeting a child following sexual grooming etc’ might be taken to suggest that the behaviour antecedent to any arranged meeting must itself be sexual in nature. The phrase … Continue reading Gaviria v Regina: CACD 19 Jul 2010
Police appeal against refusal of court to uphold sexual offences prevention order. Judges: Hughes LJ, Treacy J Citations: [2007] EWHC 1792 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Sexual Offences Act 2003 104(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 05 December 2022; Ref: scu.258807
The claimant was serving a prison sentence for serious sexual offences. He would not be released until he had completed a sex offenders programme, but one was not made available, delaying his release. Held: ‘The Secretary of State is not under an absolute duty to devise and provide courses for all who want them and, … Continue reading Regina (on the Application of Cawser) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: CA 5 Nov 2003
Appeal by leave of the single judge against conviction of an offence of assault by penetration, contrary to section 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The grounds of appeal contend that the appellant did not have a fair trial, and his conviction is unsafe, because the judge unfairly interrupted defence counsel’s closing speech and … Continue reading SR, Regina v: CACD 10 Dec 2019
The defendant, with no previous convictions appealed against conviction for sexual assaults on vulnerable women at the care home at which he worked. He said that the evidence was so weak that it should not have been left for the jury. Special procedures under the 1999 Act had been used for the complainants to give … Continue reading Regina v Watts: CACD 23 Jul 2010
Appeal against the orders made in a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. Judges: Aikens LJ, Royce J, Radford QC Citations: [2010] EWCA Crim 1303 Links: Bailii Statutes: Sexual Offences Act 2003 104 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 19 August 2022; Ref: scu.418440
The applicant for judicial review (D) had been convicted and sentenced for an offence under section 3 of the 2003 Act, and recommended for deportation. He sought review of the decision of the respondent not to refer his case to the Court of Appeal for reconsideration. A question had arisen as to the existence of … Continue reading Davis, Regina (on The Application of) v Criminal Cases Review Commission: QBD 2 Feb 2010
Failure to comply with the notification requirements of a Notification Order Citations: [2010] EWCA Crim 560, [2010] 2 Cr App Rep (S) 100 Links: Bailii Statutes: Sexual Offences Act 2003 91(1)(a) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 22 July 2022; Ref: scu.432753
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Violation of Art. 8 ; Non-pecuniary damage – financial award ; Costs and expenses partial award – Convention proceedings Citations: 24209/94, [2003] ECHR 391, (2004) 39 EHRR 34 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Jurisdiction: Human Rights Cited by: Cited – Re E (A Child); E v Chief Constable of the Royal … Continue reading YF v Turkey: ECHR 22 Jul 2003
The complainant asked for a breakdown of the number of local teaching staff who had been investigated in connection with offences under section 16 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and for details of the outcome of these investigations. Devon and Cornwall Constabulary confirmed that it held such information but claimed it was exempt from … Continue reading Devon and Cornwall Constabulary (Decision Notice): ICO 20 Dec 2010
The six claimants sought damages for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment. Each had been arrested on an officer’s suspicion. They operated CCTV equipment, and it appeared that tapes showing the commission of an offence had been tampered with. Each was of good character, and the suspicion was based solely on their opportunity to have access … Continue reading Cumming and others v Chief Constable of Northumbria Police: CA 17 Dec 2003
Two defendants appealed in respect of alleged offences under common law of causing a public nuisance. One had sent race hatred material, and the other bomb hoaxes, through the post. Both claimed that the offence was so ill defined as to be an infringement of their rights. Held: The offence of causing a public nuisance … Continue reading Goldstein, Rimmington v Regina: CACD 28 Nov 2003
There had been a racist attack. The victim was set on fire and killed in the street by assailants. His relatives sought compensation. However the assailants were not agents of the state and they were duly prosecuted, convicted and sentenced. No blame attached to state authorities for the killing and no breach of the state’s … Continue reading Menson v United Kingdom: ECHR 6 May 2003
The defendant had been sentenced for offences of violence, but an additional period was imposed to protect the public. He had been refused leave for reconsideration of that part of his sentence after he completed the normal segment of his sentence. He wanted a consideration which would parallel the new won rights of review for … Continue reading Giles, Regina (on the Application of) v Parole Board and Another: HL 31 Jul 2003
Certification of point of law for an appeal to the House of Lords: ‘Whether it is an abuse of process for the Crown to prosecute a charge of indecent assault under Section 14(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 in circumstances where the conduct upon which that charge is based is an act of unlawful … Continue reading Regina v Jones: CACD 16 Jan 2003
Administrative Discretion to be Used Reasonably The applicant challenged the manner of decision making as to the conditions which had been attached to its licence to open the cinema on Sundays. It had not been allowed to admit children under 15 years of age. The statute provided no appeal procedure, and the applicant sought a … Continue reading Associated Provincial Picture Houses Ltd v Wednesbury Corporation: CA 10 Nov 1947
The Attorney General appealed the sentence of 18 months imposed on the defendant for sexual assault by a digital penetration. Held: The maximum sentences for the offence had been increased to life imprisonment, and accordingly sentence levels generally should be increased beyond what it would have been when classified as an indecent assault. The starting … Continue reading Regina v Garvey, Attorney-General’s Reference (No 104 of 2004): CACD 25 Oct 2004
The respondent appealed against a finding that the provision which made a loan agreement completely invalid for lack of compliance with the 1974 Act was itself invalid under the Human Rights Act since it deprived the respondent lender of its property rights. It was also argued that it was not possible to make a declaration … Continue reading Wilson v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry; Wilson v First County Trust Ltd (No 2): HL 10 Jul 2003
The claimant dived into a lake, severely injuring himself. The council appealed liability, arguing that it owed him no duty of care under the Act since he was a trespasser. It had placed warning signs to deter swimmers. Held: The council’s appeal succeeded. The risk of injury arose, not from any danger due to the … Continue reading Tomlinson v Congleton Borough Council and others: HL 31 Jul 2003
From 4 years for section 9 offence. Judges: Lord Justice Elias Mr Justice Jack Recorder of Redbridge His Honour Judge Radford (Sitting as a Judge of the Court of Appeal Criminal Division) Citations: [2010] EWCA Crim 1005, [2010] 2 Cr App R (S) 106 Links: Bailii Statutes: Sexual Offences Act 2003 9 Jurisdiction: England and … Continue reading Naish, Regina v: CACD 23 Mar 2010
An injunction effective against the world, was granted to restrain any act to identify the claimant in the media, including the Internet. She had been convicted of murder when a child, and had since had a child herself. An order had been granted protecting her and her child until the child was 18. She now … Continue reading X, A Woman Formerly Known As Mary Bell v Stephen O’Brien, News Group Newspapers Ltd MGN Ltd: QBD 21 May 2003
The defendants had been convicted and sentenced for offences which under the 2003 Act would mean that they stayed permanently on the Sex Offenders’ register without possibility of a review. The Secretary of State appealed aganst a finding that the absence of a review was incompatible with their article 8 rights. Held: The appeal failed. … Continue reading F and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 21 Apr 2010
The claimant sought damages for malicious prosecution, and sought to adduce similar fact evidence. The defendant appealed an order admitting the evidence. Held: Comparisons between admission of similar fact evidence in civil and criminal proceedings were made. In general, the greater the putative force of the evidence the less ready a court should be to … Continue reading O’Brien v Chief Constable of the South Wales Police: CA 23 Jul 2003
The appellant, accused of several rapes but found unfit to plead and made subject to a hospital order, appealed saing that his police interview had been wrongly admitted, and that the judge had failed to give a Lucas direction. Fulford LJ, Cox J, Wait J [2013] EWCA Crim 2329 Bailii Sexual Offences Act 2003, Criminal … Continue reading Swinbourne, Regina v: CACD 10 Dec 2013
Police Officers had been acquitted of misconduct in public office. They had stood by in a police station custody suite as a prisoner lay on the floor and died. Held: The trial took place before R -v- G which had overruled Caldwell. The standard of recklessness to be show was that laid down in Cunningham. … Continue reading Attorney General’s Reference (No 3 of 2003): CACD 7 Apr 2004
Judicial review was sought of a decision by the respondent to prosecute a child for her alleged sexual abuse of her younger sisters. Agencies other than the police and CPS considered that a prosecution would harm both the applicant and her sisters. It was said that the applicant had herself been groomed by an adult … Continue reading E and Others, Regina (on The Application of) v The Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 10 Jun 2011
The House gave guidance how it would treat an invitation to depart from a previous decision of the House. Such a course was possible, but the direction was not an ‘open sesame’ for a differently constituted committee to prefer their views to those of the committee which determined the decision unanimously or by a majority. … Continue reading Practice Statement (Judicial Precedent): HL 1966
The deceased soldier died of heat exhaustion whilst on active service in Iraq. It was said that he was owed a duty under human rights laws, and that any coroner’s inquest should be a fuller one to satisfy the state’s duty under Article 2. Held: The SSD’s appeal succeeded. ‘jurisdiction’ within the meaning of Article … Continue reading Smith, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Defence and Oxfordshire Assistant Deputy Coroner (Equality and Human Rights Commission intervening): SC 30 Jun 2010
The claimant had decided to go for a midnight swim, but was injured diving and hitting a submerged bed. The landowner appealed a finding that it was 25% liable. The claimant asserted that the defendant knew that swimmers were common. Held: The Act imposed liability if four conditions were met: the premises were dangerous, the … Continue reading Donoghue v Folkestone Properties Limited: CA 27 Feb 2003
Evidence allowed – Care Application after Abuse Children had made allegations of serious sexual abuse against their step-father. He was acquitted at trial, but the local authority went ahead with care proceedings. The parents appealed against a finding that a likely risk to the children had still been been found. Held: A care order could … Continue reading In re H and R (Minors) (Child Sexual Abuse: Standard of Proof): HL 14 Dec 1995
The claimant was a teaching assistant. A complaint had been made that he had kissed a boy having work experience at the school, but it had been decided that no criminal prosecution would follow. He sought judicial review of the school’s decision to take disciplinary proceedings without allowing him legal representation. The school now appealed … Continue reading G, Regina (on The Application of) v X School and Others: CA 20 Jan 2010
Two defendants accused of murder each sought to place blame for the victim’s death on the other. One sought to rely upon the other’s record of violence as evidence of his co-accused’s propensity to violence.
Held: The record was admissible. By . .
After being convicted of two offences of sexual assault on a male contrary to section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, he was sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment.
Held: It was perfectly open to the judge, while acting within the . .
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Power of court on appeal to vary Sexual Offences Prevention Order Judges: Lord Judge Cj, Openshaw, Irwin Jj Citations: [2012] EWCA Crim 1456, [2012] WLR(D) 196 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Sexual Offences Act 2003 104(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 17 April 2022; Ref: scu.461908
Appeal from 16 months’ imprisonment for causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity [2008] EWCA Crim 1974 Bailii Sexual Offences Act 2003 10 England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 05 January 2022; Ref: scu.343036
The claimant sought to challenge the variation of a Sexual Offences prevention order made against him which had the effect of imposing a curfew on him unless subject to electronic monitoring. The The request for judicial review failed. McCombe LJ, Stewart J [2013] EWHC 2208 (QB) Bailii Sexual Offences Act 2003 104 England and Wales … Continue reading Richards, Regina (on The Application of) v Teesside Magistrates Court and Another: QBD 30 Jul 2013
An appeal was made against the making of a Sexual Offence prevention order. . .
Mr Leander had been refused employment at a museum located on a naval base, having been assessed as a security risk on the basis of information stored on a register maintained by State security services that had not been disclosed him. Mr Leander complained that he should have been provided with the information in question, … Continue reading Leander v Sweden: ECHR 26 Mar 1987
Whether the imposition of a Notification Order (‘N/O’) under section 97 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (‘SOA 2003’) was disproportionate and breached Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights Judges: Lord Justice Haddon-Cave and Mr Justice Holgate Citations: [2020] EWHC 1053 (Admin) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing, Human Rights … Continue reading Halabi, Regina (on The Application of) v The Crown Court At Southwark: Admn 1 May 2020
Appeals were brought complaining as to the apparent reversal of the burden of proof in road traffic cases and in cases under the Terrorism Acts. Was a legal or an evidential burden placed on a defendant? Held: Lord Bingham of Cornhill said: ‘The overriding concern is that a trial should be fair, and the presumption … Continue reading Sheldrake v Director of Public Prosecutions; Attorney General’s Reference No 4 of 2002: HL 14 Oct 2004
The defendant was convicted of murder. Evidence during the trial suggested a possibility of manslaughter, but neither the defence nor prosecution proposed the alternate verdict. The defendant now appealed saying that the judge had an independent duty to leave that option to the jury. Held: The appeal succeeded. The judge should have left a manslaughter … Continue reading Regina v Coutts: HL 19 Jul 2006
The Court considered a particular aspect of the correct approach to be taken when sentencing certain offences against children under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (‘SOA’), namely when no sexual activity takes place, for instance, because i) the child is a fiction, ii) the defendant failed to persuade the child to engage in sexual activity … Continue reading Reed and Another v Regina: CACD 21 Apr 2021
CS Damages of 200,000 pounds by way of exemplary damages had been awarded against the police for unlawful arrest and assault. Held: The court gave a guideline maximum pounds 50,000 award against police for wrongful arrest and wrongful imprisonment. Comparisons were proper with personal injury cases. It is important to identify and quantify the various … Continue reading Thompson v Commissioner of Police of Metropolis; Hsu v Same: CA 20 Feb 1997
The defendant appealed against his conviction for murder. He admitted that he had killed his girlfriend with a hammer, but sought to bring psychiatric evidence that he was susceptible to provocation. Held: The law jealously guards the role of the jury, or the court where it is the trier of the facts, as the judge … Continue reading Regina v Turner (Terence): CACD 1974
The appellants challenged the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment imposed on them on their convictions for murder. They said it was an infringement of their Human Rights, being arbitrary and disproportionate. Held: The case followed on where the Anderson case left off. In these cases the judge had noted that he did not think the … Continue reading Regina v Lichniak: HL 25 Nov 2002
(Grand Chamber) The appellants had each been convicted of more than one murder and had been sentenced to whole life terms. They complained that the absence of a possibility of review or remission was a breach of their rights. Held: For a life sentence to remain compatible with Article 3 there must be a prospect … Continue reading Vinter And Others v The United Kingdom: ECHR 9 Jul 2013
Issue concerning the written directions of the trial judge as to the law on consent and in particular the scope and effect of section 75(2)(a) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. This is a provision which it is argued before us is problematic in numerous respects. The case raises various points about the structure of … Continue reading Hutchings, Regina v: CACD 22 Feb 2019
The defendant appealed against his sentence of three and a half years imprisonment after conviction for causing another to engage in sexual activity without consent. Though otherwise of previous good characetr he had a caution for a similar assault. The judge had adopted a sentencing range more serious than that suggested by both defence and … Continue reading Ayeva, Regina v: CACD 19 Nov 2009
Judges: Laws, Moore-Bick, Beatson LJJ Citations: [2013] EWCA Civ 697, [2014] 1 WLR 179, [2013] WLR(D) 289 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000, Human Rights Act 1998, Sexual Offences Act 2003 82(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing, Human Rights Updated: 10 September 2022; Ref: scu.510907
Crime of violence; application of Annex B; place of Sexual Offences Act 2003; Can on line `grooming’ be a crime of violence under the 2012 Scheme? Citations: [2022] UKUT 103 (AAC) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Personal Injury Updated: 02 September 2022; Ref: scu.680339
Judicial Review of the imposition on the Petitioner on a period of notification requirements of not less than fifteen years without provision for review within the said fifteen year period in terms of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 as amended by the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Remedial) (Scotland) Order 2011 Citations: [2013] ScotCS CSOH – … Continue reading Main v The Scottish Ministers: SCS 26 Jun 2013
The defendant had been convicted of sexual assaults, and made subject to a detention and training order, and also placed on the sex offenders register. On release he had failed to register as a sex offender, thinking his obligation to do so had expired. Held: The length of the sex offender registration was decided by … Continue reading Regina v Slocombe: CACD 23 Nov 2005
In each case the court was asked whether a sentence imposed under section 225(2) of the 2003 CJA for the protection of the public could be made to run consecutively to the principle sentence for the offence, and how did this link in with the courts powers under the section 116 PCCA 2003. Held: Some … Continue reading O’Brien, Harris, Moss, Llewellyn and others v Regina: CACD 14 Jul 2006
Tan and others were accused of keeping a disorderly house having advertised: ‘Humiliation enthusiast, my favourite past time is humiliating and disciplining mature male submissives, in strict bondage, lovely tan coloured mistress invites humble applicants, TV, CP, BD and rubber wear.’ Held: The court upheld convictions which were dependent on Gloria Greaves, a post-operative male … Continue reading Regina v Tan: CA 1983
The claimants complained of the system under which they had been placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely with no ability to have the registration reviewed. They said that this interfered with their right to respect for their private and family life. Held: The Secretary of State’s appeal against a declaration of incompatibility failed. The … Continue reading JF and Another, Regina (On the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: CA 23 Jul 2009
Application for judicial review, with permission directed to a decision made at the Central Criminal Court lifting the notification requirements imposed on the interested party pursuant to Sections 81 and 82 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Judges: Laws LJ, Hickinbottom J Citations: [2013] EWHC 179 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Sexual Offences Act 2003 81 … Continue reading Commissioner of Police for The Metropolis v Central Criminal Court and Another: Admn 15 Jan 2013
This appeal is concerned with a challenge to the legality of legislation of the Scottish Parliament which deprives a person, A, who is accused of sexual activity with an under-aged person, B, of the defence that he or she reasonably believed that B was over the age of 16, if the police had previously charged … Continue reading AB v Her Majesty’s Advocate: SC 5 Apr 2017
The applicant had been sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment for rape and sexual assault on minors. His name had been placed automatically on a Register of Sexual and Violent Offenders, and had had to confirm his address every year and to give notice of any change of address. This could be done by registered letter … Continue reading Bouchacourt v France: ECHR 17 Dec 2009
ECHR Article 8-1 Respect for private life Positive obligations Failure to protect complainant’s personal integrity in criminal proceedings concerning sexual abuse: violation Facts – In 2001, at the age of 14, the applicant was allegedly victim of repeated sexual assaults by a family friend, X. Following a criminal complaint by the applicant’s mother, investigations started … Continue reading Y v Slovenia: ECHR 28 May 2015
The court considered the proper content of an enhanced criminal record certificate. The claimant said that it should contain only matter relating to actual or potential criminal activity. Held: As to the meaning of section 115: ‘if Parliament had intended to limit relevant information to information of criminal or potentially criminal activity, it would be … Continue reading L, Regina (on the Application of) v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis and Another: CA 1 Mar 2007
Inherent High Court power may restrain Publicity The claimant child’s mother was to be tried for the murder of his brother by poisoning with salt. It was feared that the publicity which would normally attend a trial, would be damaging to S, and an application was made for reporting restrictions to be applied to avoid … Continue reading In re S (a Child) (Identification: Restrictions on Publication): HL 28 Oct 2004
The appellants were magazines and journalists who published, after committal proceedings, the name of a witness, a member of the security services, who had been referred to as Colonel B during the hearing. An order had been made for his name not to be disclosed during the hearing, but the court had had no power … Continue reading Attorney-General v Leveller Magazine Ltd: HL 1 Feb 1979
The claimant was a Zimbabwean National who was to be removed from the country. He was unlawfully held in detention pending removal. He sought damages for false imprisonment. He had been held over a long period pending decisions in the courts on the legality of returning failed asylum applicants to Zimbabwe. Held: Despite allegations of … Continue reading SK, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: Admn 25 Jan 2008
An amendment to the 1995 Act placed restrictions on the questioning of the complainer in trials of persons charged with sexual offences. The defendant appealed, saying that the restrictions were incompatible with the right to a fair trial under article 6 of the Convention. Held: The challenge failed. Where a defendant in a rape trial … Continue reading DS v Her Majesty’s Advocate: PC 22 May 2007
The defendant had been convicted of posing as a solicitor in order to commit frauds. He appealed, saying that the court had wrongly admitted evidence of his dealings with illegal immigrants. Held: The evidence admitted was highly relevant as evidence of bad character. The section has to be applied after a fact-specific exercise. The court … Continue reading Tirnaveanu, Regina v: CACD 24 May 2007
The defendant appealed his conviction for rape. He said the girl had consented, despite having drunk substantial quantities of alcohol. Held: The voluntary consumption of much alcohol did not remove the possibility that the girl had consented to sex. Capacity to consent might evaporate well before she became unconscious, but it was a question of … Continue reading Bree, Regina v: CACD 26 Mar 2007
The court considered how it could marry the law against the increase of penaties on appeal with the possible need to correct a judge’s error in sentencing. It summarised the provisions for sentencing for specified offences: ‘[The] regime requires the court to carry out a careful step by step evaluation of the sentencing consequences of … Continue reading Reynolds and Others, Regina v: CACD 8 Mar 2007
The claimant said that his continued detention after the custody time limits had expired was an infringement of his human rights. He faced continued detention having been refused bail because of his arrest on a grave charge, having a previous conviction for another grave offence. Held: The appeal was dismissed. Insofar as the the word … Continue reading O v Crown Court at Harrow: HL 26 Jul 2006
The defendant said that the judge in setting his sentence had failed correctly to identify the time he had spent in custody awaiting trial, and which would act as time served. Held: The defendants were entitled to a direction. If the time for varying the order under s155 of the 2000 Act had passed, an … Continue reading Norman and Others, Regina v: CACD 20 Jul 2006
The doctor complained of the use of Alert letters where he was suspected of sexual abuse of patients, but the allegations were unsubstantiated. He complained particularly that he had been acquitted in a criminal court and then also by the professional conduct committee of the GMC. Held: There had been very poor administration of the … Continue reading Dr D, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Health: CA 19 Jul 2006
The defendant appealed conviction for indecent assault. The charge alleged assault by intercourse per vaginam with a 13 year old girl. He had been 14 years old at the time. The verdict indicated consent by the complainant. Held: The appeal failed. The 2003 Act was not retrospective. However: ‘to hold that the express intention of … Continue reading Timmins, Regina v: CACD 15 Nov 2005
Judges: Rose VP CACD LJ, Richards, Bean JJ Citations: [2004] EWCA Crim 2646, [2005] 1 Cr App R (S) 102 Links: Bailii Statutes: Sexual Offences Act 2003 67(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 01 July 2022; Ref: scu.226797
The claimant had sought to bring proceedings against the respondent, but as a mental patient subject to the 1983 Act, had been obliged by the section first to obtain consent. The parties disputed whether the failure was a procedural or substantial failing and whether it made the proceedings a nullity. Held: The claimant’s appeal failed. … Continue reading Seal v Chief Constable of South Wales Police: HL 4 Jul 2007
The defendants had had confiscation orders made against them. They had appealed on the basis that the orders were made more than six months after sentence. The prosecutor now appealed saying that the fact that the order were not timely did not invalidate them. Held: The appeal was allowed. The confiscation orders made by the … Continue reading Regina v Soneji and Bullen: HL 21 Jul 2005
Each applicant sought judicial review of the refusal of the tribunal to authorise their release from detention under the 1983 Act, saying that the Tribunal had accepted evidence to a lower standard of proof. Held: Neither the criminal standard of proof nor the level of proof set down in Addington applied. To raise the standard … Continue reading Regina (DJ) v Mental Health Review Tribunal; Regina (AN) v Mental Health Review Tribunal (Northern Region): Admn 11 Apr 2005
Various sentences were appealed in respect of defendants convicted of sexual offences under the 2003 Act. Held: The Act contained new extended ranges of sexual offences, and these required resvised sentencing guidelines. The starting point for non-penile penetration will be generally lower. No safe guideline could be given for a rape of a child under … Continue reading Regina v Corran, Regina v Cutler, Regina v Heard, Regina v Willams: CACD 2 Feb 2005
In 2002 the SFO was investigating allegations that drug companies were selling generic drugs, including penicillin-based antibiotics and warfarin, to the National Health Service at artificially sustained prices. To further the investigation the SFO obtained search warrants and executed them. The company challenged the release of the documents recovered to other government departments. They had … Continue reading Regina (Kent Pharmaceuticals Ltd) v Serious Fraud Office: CA 11 Nov 2004
The defendant was to have been accused of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16. Proceedings could not be brought, because the allegation was more than a year old, and he was instead accused of indecent assault, but on the same facts. He appealed against his conviction, saying this was an abuse of … Continue reading Regina v J: HL 14 Oct 2004
No anonymity for investigation suspect The claimant had been investigated on an allegation of historic sexual abuse. He had never been charged, but the investigation had continued with others being convicted in a high profile case. He appealed from refusal of orders restricting publication of his name and involvement in the inquiry. Held: (Kerr and … Continue reading PNM v Times Newspapers Ltd and Others: SC 19 Jul 2017
The defendant appealed the admission of similar fact evidence against him. Acts of buggery were alleged by a schoolmaster with boys in which the accused was the passive partner. Held: In order to be admissible similar facts must bear a striking similarity to the facts of the case currently before the court.Lord Morris of Borth-y-Gest … Continue reading Regina v Boardman: HL 1974
The Court gave detailed guidelines on sentencing for offences of rape, following a report from the sentencing advisory panel. Held: The court outlined the base sentences for single and multiple offences of rape, listing aggravating and mitigating factors, and dealing specifically with date rape, acquaintance rape, male rape, and anal rape. The base sentence should … Continue reading Millberry, Morganian, Lackenby v Regina: CACD 9 Dec 2002
The claimant was a prisoner. He became entitled to be considered for release on parole, but was not released because the Parole Board had not made a decision. Held: The system for consideration of the release of discretionary and life prisoners infringed the human rights of such prisoners, insofar as the consideration of their release … Continue reading Regina (Noorkoiv) v Secretary of State for the Home Department and Another: CA 30 May 2002
The claimant had sued her former employer for post-traumatic stress resulting from alleged harassment at her place of work. The claimant appealed against an order refusing damages. The court had held that outside the 1997 Act which was not in force at the time, there was no tort of harassment. The question was the extent … Continue reading Wong v Parkside Health NHS Trust and Another: CA 16 Nov 2001
There was no human rights breach where the victims of sex abuse had been refused a right to sue for damages out of time. The question is whether and to what extent differences in otherwise similar situations justify a different treatment in law: ‘Limitation periods in personal injury cases are a common feature of the … Continue reading Stubbings and Others v The United Kingdom: ECHR 22 Oct 1996
The applicant was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for theft. He had a previous convictions and was thought to have a persistent tendency to crime, and was placed at the government’s disposal for 10 years on that ground. This was subject to appeal, and was classified not as a security measure but as a penalty … Continue reading Van Droogenbroeck v Belgium: ECHR 24 Jun 1982
(Antigua and Barbuda) The applicant was employed as a civil servant. He joined a demonstration alleging corruption in a minister. It was alleged he had infringed his duties as a civil servant, and he replied that the constitution allowed him to speak out. Held: The demonstration did contravene the restriction on publishing his views. Analogies … Continue reading De Freitas v The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Lands and Housing and others: PC 30 Jun 1998
Evidence of a complainant’s distress is not admissible unless the complainant is unaware of being observed, and if the distress is exhibited at the time of, or shortly after, the offence itself, or in circumstances which appear to implicate the accused. ‘In normal cases, however, the weight to be given to distress varies infinitely, and … Continue reading Regina v Chauhan: CACD 1981
The defendants were charged after pasting up in telephone booths advertisements for homosexual services. They published a magazine with similar advertisements. The House was asked to confirm the existence of an offence of outraging public decency. Held: There now exists no power in the courts to create new criminal offences. A new criminal offence could … Continue reading Regina v Knuller (Publishing, Printing and Promotions) Ltd; Knuller etc v Director of Public Prosecutions: HL 1972
The claimants sought to set aside warrants and executions under them to provide assistance to a foreign court investigating alleged unlawful assistance to companies in Bosnia Herzegovina. Held: The issue of such a warrant was a serious step. The court gave guidance on the practice to be followed, but it was not correct for the … Continue reading Energy Financing Team Ltd and others v The Director of the Serious Fraud Office, Bow Street Magistrates Court: Admn 22 Jul 2005
Each defendant appealed against the imposition of an extended sentence of imprisonment. Held: The The provisions were unduly complicated and about to change again. Courts would see their way clear by focussing on the offence for which the extended sentence was to be considered, and bearing in mind that the purpose of this particular form … Continue reading Regina v Pepper, Regina v Barber, etc: CACD 28 Apr 2005
The claimant suffered psychiatric injury in a rail crash caused by the defendant’s negligence. Under this condition of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, the claimant had later gone on to kill another person, and he had been detained under section 41. He now sought damages for his loss of earnings through detention in prison and mental hospital. … Continue reading Gray v Thames Trains and Others: HL 17 Jun 2009
The defendant appealed sentences for battery with iintent to commit sexual assault. Held: In general the existing authorities on sentencing of sex offenders should apply to the new offences, with an allowance made for the lower maximum sentence under the new offence as against rape or attempted rape. Judges: Rose LJ, Douglas Brown J, Mackay … Continue reading Regina v Wisniewski: CACD 9 Dec 2004
The House considered how to frame an indictment in a case of buggery where the prescribed punishment differed depending on the particular factual ingredients. Held: Lord Diplock said: ‘Where it is provided by a statute that an accused person’s liability to have inflicted upon him a maximum punishment which, if the prosecution are successful in … Continue reading Regina v Courtie: HL 1984
Police’s Complete Immunity was Too Wide (Grand Chamber) A male teacher developed an obsession with a male pupil. He changed his name by deed poll to the pupil’s surname. He was required to teach at another school. The pupil’s family’s property was subjected to numerous acts of vandalism, which the police investigated and in respect … Continue reading Osman v The United Kingdom: ECHR 28 Oct 1998
(Scotland) By the 2014 Act, the Scottish Parliament had provided that each child should have a named person to monitor that child’s needs, with information about him or her shared as necessary. The Institute objected that the imposed obligation to share information was outwith the powers of the Parliament. It extended the information to be … Continue reading The Christian Institute and Others v The Lord Advocate: SC 28 Jul 2016
The police were asked by shopkeepers concerned about shoplifting, for photographs of thieves so that the staff would recognise them. The police provided photographs including one of the claimant taken in custody. The traders were told only to show them to staff. Held: A duty of confidence could arise when the police photographed a suspect … Continue reading Hellewell v Chief Constable of Derbyshire: QBD 13 Jan 1995
The complainant asked for the numbers of teaching staff who had been investigated in connection with offences under section 16 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and for details of the outcome of these investigations. The public authority refused to confirm or deny whether it held information falling within the scope of this request and … Continue reading Devon and Cornwall Constabulary (Decision Notice): ICO 25 Aug 2009
The court observed that, while the decision in DPP v P had eliminated the necessity to identify a striking similarity, it was still necessary to invoke some identifiable common feature or features constituting a significant connection and going beyond mere propensity or coincidence. ‘It is certainly the case that when the issue is . . … Continue reading Regina v Musquera: CACD 1999
The Crown was given leave to appeal what it saw to be an unduly lenient sentence of the defendant following his becoming liable to be sentenced as a repeat offender iunder the 2003 Act. The main offence was that he had threatened his partner’s life by pointing a loaded crossbow at her. The prosecution said … Continue reading Attorney General’s Reference No 87 of 2006, Regina v Daniel Peter Geddes: CACD 24 Oct 2006
