JL (A Youth) v Director of Public Prosecutions: QBD 16 Jul 2007

The defendant appealed his conviction for being a rogue and vagabond after being found in an enclosed yard and having a criminal intent. He was hiding from the police.
Held: His appeal was allowed. Hiding from the police was not an unlawful purpose within the section, since there was no criminal activity in mind which was a requirement under the section. Courts should be careful before using the section. It was preventative in intent.

Judges:

Auld LJ, Collins J

Citations:

Times 08-Oct-2007

Statutes:

Vagrancy Act 1824 4

Jurisdiction:

England and Wales

Crime

Updated: 28 June 2022; Ref: scu.260260