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 against his conviction for serious sexual offences. The trial was very lengthy after the prosecution introduced bad character evidence from other allegations from some 17 years or more before. Judges: Scott Baker LJ, Rafferty DBE J, Beatson J Citations: [2009] EWCA Crim 905, [2009] 2 Cr App R 16, [2009] Crim LR … Continue reading O’Dowd v Regina: CACD 12 May 2009
The defendant on a charge of rape had been tried and acquitted of the rape of different women on three previous occasions in three separate trials. The prosecution wished to call those three complainants to give similar fact evidence in support of the new charge. Held: Similar fact evidence was not inadmissible only because it … Continue reading Regina v Z (Prior acquittal): HL 22 Jun 2000
The appellant had been convicted and sentenced at the age of 13 for serious sexual offences committed at the age of 11. It was said that the judge had not considered the effect if being required to comply with notification requirements under the 2003 Act, which, it was said had been found in contravention of … Continue reading F, Regina v: CACD 27 Jan 2009
The accused had been charged with the murder of an infant who had been given into their care by the child’s mother after payment of a fee. They appealed after admission of evidence that several other infants had been received by the accused persons from other mothers and that their bodies were found buried in … Continue reading Makin v Attorney-General for New South Wales: PC 12 Dec 1893
The court considered appeals by the Attorney-General against sentences considered to be too lenient, and in particular where a community penalty had been imposed rather than a sentence of immediate imprisonment. Held: The Court emphasised the need for the strict care to be taken in selecting such cases, for appeal. The court should not interfere … Continue reading Attorney General’s Reference v Nos. 31, 45, 43, 42, 50 and 51 of 2003; Regina v McInerney; Regina v McLean: CACD 16 Jul 2004
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
PC (Jamaica) The defendants appealed against their convictions for capital murder. Held: The appeals were allowed, and non-capital convictions substituted. It is not enough to comply with section 2(2), for the judge to give directions to the jury about the law of joint enterprise and as to whether the murder was committed in the circumstances … Continue reading Hunter, Moodie v The Queen: PC 8 Oct 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
Challenge to a series of interim sexual risk orders (‘ISROs’) made pursuant to section 122E of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 Judges: Mr Justice Fordham Citations: [2022] EWHC 1176 (Admin) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 08 June 2022; Ref: scu.677846
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
The court rejected a challenge to the Home Secretary’s decision to substitute a period of 18 months for the 9 months recommended by the Parole Board to be passed in open conditions before the prisoner’s next review. ‘[The right not to be detained arbitrarily] can be breached as a matter of law if the Home … Continue reading Spence, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: CA 23 May 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
The defendant might have been chaged with an offence under section 6 of the Act, of unlawful intercourse with a girl under 16, but the prosecution would have been outside the time limit of twelve months. Instead he was prosecuted for an offence under section 14 of indecent assault, but based upon the same facts. … Continue reading Regina v Jones: CACD 20 Dec 2002
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 defendants appealed their sentences for possession and distribution of indecent images of children. The court gave detailed sentencing guidelines for the offences. Distinctions were made for the gradations of pornography, from erotic posing only, to depictions of sexual activity between children, to non-penetrative sexual activity between adults and children, to penetrative activity, and lastly … Continue reading Regina v Oliver etc: CACD 21 Nov 2002
The defendants applied for the defence statements of co-defendants to be disclosed. A co-defendant was to give evidence for the Crown, and they sought to have it excluded as unreliable. Held: The 1996 Act created a duty of secondary disclosure, where a defence statement might be of assistance to the co-defendants. Actual disclosure remained for … Continue reading Regina v Cairns; Regina v Zaldi, Regina v Chaudary: CACD 22 Nov 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
Application, brought by the Solicitor General, under section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, for leave to refer a sentence which he considers to be unduly lenient. The sentence was passed on the offender after the offender had pleaded guilty to five offences, counts 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of sexual activity with … Continue reading Sargent, Regina v: CACD 21 Aug 2018
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
For the purposes of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, a juvenile but willing participant in an act of buggery, is not deemed to be a victim of a crime of violence. The purpose of the section is to disapprove of such activity in general, and therefore neither participants is to be seen as a victim. … Continue reading Regina – v- Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel, ex parte August; Similar: CA 18 Dec 2000
A challenge under article 5 to decisions about a prisoner’s treatment were misconceived in the context of the Secretary of State’s refusal to transfer a prisoner to open conditions with a view to improving his prospects of release: ‘[Article 5(4)] is not to do with how persons are treated while they were detained or where … Continue reading Regina v Home Secretary ex parte Gunn: CA 2000
Appeal from conviction of an offence of sexual activity with a child, contrary to section 9 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Judges: Lord Justice Holroyde Mr Justice Lavender Mrs Justice Ellenbogen DBE Citations: [2021] EWCA Crim 222 Links: Bailii, Judiciary Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 23 May 2022; Ref: scu.674617
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
When assessing whether the defendant’s right to a trial within a reasonable time had been infringed, the court should look as from the date at which he was charged, or served with a summons, and not from the date of the first interview. Although a suspect could suffer material prejudice from the date of the … Continue reading Attorney General’s Reference (No 2 of 2001): CACD 12 Jul 2001
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
The court allowed an appeal against conviction on charges of sex abuse where the underlying offences had taken place many years before. ‘In this case it has to be recognised that because of the delay that occurred, in our judgment the appellant was put in an impossible position to defend himself. He was not . … Continue reading Regina v B: CACD 2003
The causing or inciting required as part of an offence under section 8(1) must be intentional, ie. deliberate; recklessness or less will not do. Judges: Hughes LJ Citations: [2008] QB 43 Statutes: Sexual Offences Act 2003 8(1) Cited by: Cited – Regina v Grout CACD 1-Mar-2011 The defendant appealed against conviction of intentionally causing a … Continue reading Regina v Head: 2008
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 defendant appealed a sentence of six years detention in a young offender institution for oral rape. Held: The court should make no distinction in penalty between vaginal, anal or oral rape. The dangers might be different, but they remained real. Cases will vary in the offensiveness to the victim and courts should recognise the … Continue reading Regina v Ismail: CACD 15 Feb 2005
The defendant complained that the long delay in his prosecution for alleged sexual assaults was an abuse. Held: Complaints about delays should normally be dealt with by the court of trial having heard the evidence. It was in the nature of allegations of sexual assault by children, that the courage to complain might only come … Continue reading Regina v Smolenski: CACD 4 May 2004
Section 8(1) of the SOA creates two basic offences. In the first case a defendant must intentionally cause a child (B) to engage in ‘sexual activity’. In the second a defendant must intentionally incite a child (B) to engage in ‘sexual activity’. In the latter case the essence of the offence is the intentional ‘incitement’, … Continue reading Regina v Walker (Simon John): CACD 2006
The Attorney General appealed against a sentence of twelve months imprisonment suspended for two years with two years supervision imposed on a woman aged 39 having had sex with a 14 year old boy. Held: The court had wrongly taken account of the sex of the victim and reduced the sentence accordingly. The Act made … Continue reading Regina v Edwards (Sharon) (Attorney General’s Reference No 67 of 2008): CACD 20 Jan 2009
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 his conviction for causing a child to watch a sexual act for the purposes of sexual gratification. He said there was no evidence of an intention to obtain immediate gratification. Held: The Act made no mention of the timing of the intended gratification. It was plain that that was the intention. The … Continue reading Regina v Abdullahi: CACD 24 Jul 2006
Judges: Lord Justice Haddon-Cave Citations: [2022] EWCA Crim 412 Links: Bailii Statutes: Sexual Offences Act 2003 3, Criminal Justice Act 1988 39 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 01 May 2022; Ref: scu.675603
The defendant had approached the complainant as she walked at night to post a letter. When she declined to have sex with him, he grabbed her track suit bottoms by the pcket. She ran off. He appealed conviction for sexual assault, saying that the touching had not been sexual. Held: To decide whether a touching … Continue reading Regina v H (Sexual Assault: Touching): CACD 1 Feb 2005
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 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 made a claim as regards a sexual assault committed against him in prison. The Panel refused the claim on the basis that he had consented. Held: A claim might succeed where the consent was vitiated in such circumstances as would leave the assault a criminal offence. The claimant was vulnerable and had been … Continue reading Regina (E) v Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel: CA 3 Mar 2003
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
Appeals with leave against sentences totalling 12 months’ imprisonment, imposed following guilty pleas to three offences of failing to comply with notification requirements, contrary to section 91 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Citations: [2019] EWCA Crim 1460 Links: Bailii Statutes: Sexual Offences Act 2003 91 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 27 April … Continue reading Bricknell, Regina v: CACD 30 Jul 2019
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
(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
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
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
Judges: Lady Justice Hallett DBE Mr Justice Ouseley His Honour Judge Pert QC (Sitting as a Judge of the Cacd) Citations: [2011] EWCA Crim 3321 Links: Bailii Statutes: Sexual Offences Act 2003 2 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 03 April 2022; Ref: scu.464762
The court considered an offence committed before 3 April 2005 when the CJA 2003 came into effect, and was sentenced before 3 December 2012 when new sentencing rules came into effect changing the 2003 rules. Held: The Court upheld a sentence of life imprisonment in respect of a count of assault by penetration contrary to … Continue reading Regina v DP: CACD 2013
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
In each case the defendant had commited violent or sexual offences and were caught by the new mandatory sentencing provisions, and been made subject to life imprisonment, or detention for public protection, or an extended sentence. Held: The court set out to summarise, not restate the provisions. ‘[T]he offender must be convicted of a ‘specified … Continue reading Lang and Others, Regina v: CACD 3 Nov 2005
Reference to Parliamentary Papers behind Statute The inspector sought to tax the benefits in kind received by teachers at a private school in having their children educated at the school for free. Having agreed this was a taxable emolument, it was argued as to whether the taxable benefit was the cost to the employer, or … Continue reading Pepper (Inspector of Taxes) v Hart: HL 26 Nov 1992
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
Grand Chamber – The appellant claimed damages for being held in prison beyond the term of his sentence. Having been released on licence from a life sentence for murder, he was re-sentenced for a cheque fraud. He was not released after the end of the sentence he served for that offence. He said there was … Continue reading Stafford v The United Kingdom: ECHR 28 May 2002
Widowers claimed that, in denying them benefits which would have been payable to widows, the Secretary of State had acted incompatibly with their rights under article 14 read with article 1 of Protocol 1 and article 8 of the ECHR. Held: The Secretary’s appeal succeeded. Section 6 of the 1998 Act permitted the discrimination as … Continue reading Hooper and Others, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: HL 5 May 2005
Extended Determinate Sentence created Other Status The prisoner was subject to an extended determinate sentence (21 years plus 4) for 10 offences of rape. He complained that as such he would only be eligible for parole after serving two thirds of his sentence rather than one third, and said that this was discriminatory. Held: The … Continue reading Stott, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: SC 28 Nov 2018
Several lone parents challenged the benefits cap, saying that it was discriminatory. Held: (Hale, Kerr LL dissenting) The parents’ appeals failed. The legislation had a clear impact on lone parents and their children. The intention was to encourage claimants back into work. It was said that thus contradicted the other policy of providing no free … Continue reading DA and Others, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: SC 15 May 2019
The respondent had arrived and claimed asylum. Three claims were rejected, two of which were fraudulent. She had two children by a UK citizen, and if deported the result would be (the father being unsuitable) that the children would have to return with her. Held: The mother’s appeal succeeded. The court had to consider the … Continue reading ZH (Tanzania) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 1 Feb 2011
Whether Statement defamatory at common law The claimant appealed against a striking out of her claim for defamation on finding that the words did not have the defamatory meaning complained of, namely that she was transgendered or transsexual. Held: The appeal failed.Sir Anthony Clarke MR said: ‘no reasonable reader of the words complained of could … Continue reading Jeynes v News Magazines Ltd and Another: CA 31 Jan 2008
The court was asked whether nurses could properly involve themselves in a pregnancy termination procedure not known when the Act was passed, and in particular, whether a pregnancy was ‘terminated by a medical practitioner’, when it was carried out by nurses acting on the instructions of such a practitioner. Held: The phrase ‘treatment for the … Continue reading Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom v Department of Health and Social Security: HL 2 Jan 1981
Balancing Rights of Prisoner and Society The appellant had been convicted of the murder of three police officers in 1966. His tariff of thirty years had now long expired. He complained that material put before the Parole Board reviewing has case had not been disclosed to him. Held: The appeal failed (by a majority). The … Continue reading Roberts v Parole Board: HL 7 Jul 2005
The appellants challenged the effectiveness of European Arrest Warrants, saying that the requests were deficient in not providing adequate details of warrants issued in support of the decisions. They had been convicted and sentenced to terms of imprisonment which were at first condition, but were now to be served. The appellants contende dthat the European … Continue reading Goluchowski and SAS v District Court and Circuit Court In Poland: SC 29 Jun 2016
The defendant had been convicted of an offence under s 63 of the 2003 Act, of trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence He appealed saying that the section should be read to require the identification of the sexual offence which was intended to be committed. Held: The appeal failed. The section had not … Continue reading Pacurar, Regina v: CACD 13 Apr 2016
The defendant had been given a conditional discharge for an offence of exposure. He was convicted of a further unrelated minor offence, and the question arose of the requirement for notification under the 2003 Act for the original offence. Held: His appeal was allowed. The Court of Appeal did have jurisdiction to hear the appeal. … Continue reading Rawlinson v Regina: CACD 18 Dec 2018
Power to call in is administrative in nature The powers of the Secretary of State to call in a planning application for his decision, and certain other planning powers, were essentially an administrative power, and not a judicial one, and therefore it was not a breach of the applicants’ rights to a fair hearing before … Continue reading Regina (Holding and Barnes plc) v Secretary of State for Environment Transport and the Regions; Regina (Alconbury Developments Ltd and Others) v Same and Others: HL 9 May 2001
The appellant was detained under section 37 of the 1983 Act as a mental patient with a restriction under section 41. He sought his release. Held: The standard of proof in such applications remained the balance of probabilities, but that standard was flexible, and varied according to the seriousness of the allegation. The only misdirection … Continue reading AN, Regina (on the Application of) v Mental Health Review Tribunal (Northern Region) and others: CA 21 Dec 2005
The applicants had had their requests for asylum refused. They complained that if they were removed from the UK, their article 3 rights would be infringed. If they were returned to Pakistan or Vietnam they would be persecuted for their religious faiths. Held: A distinction was to be made between domestic cases involving actions within … Continue reading Regina v Special Adjudicator ex parte Ullah; Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 17 Jun 2004
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
Each appellant challenged orders for their extradition, saying that the delay had been too prolonged, and that detention in Trinidad’s appalling jails would be an infringement of their human rights. Held: The House had to consider its own decision in Kakis which effectively excluded delay as a consideration save in exceptional circumstances. Delay caused by … Continue reading Gomes v Trinidad and Tobago: HL 29 Apr 2009
The defendant sought to appeal his extradition to Spain to face terrorism charges. He complained that the certificate required under the 2003 Act could not be the European arrest warrant itself, that the offence did not satisfy the double actionability rule and that the warrant did not set out the text of the law under … Continue reading Dabas v High Court of Justice, Madrid: HL 28 Feb 2007
The appellant, a boy aged 15, had been warned as to admitted indecent assaults on girls. He complained that it had not been explained to him that the result would be that his name would be placed on the sex offenders register. The Chief Constable appealed a decision that this was an interference in his … Continue reading R, Regina (on the Application of) v Durham Constabulary and Another: HL 17 Mar 2005
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
Rebalancing of Enhanced Disclosure Requirements The Court was asked as to the practice of supplying enhanced criminal record certificates under the 1997 Act. It was said that the release of reports of suspicions was a disproportionate interference in the claimants article 8 rights to a private life. The enhanced record revealed that the claimant’s son … Continue reading L, Regina (On the Application of) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis: SC 29 Oct 2009
Police had discovered quantities of stolen goods at the appellant’s business premises. He was convicted of receiving stolen goods, and confiscation order made. He now appealed from the inclusion in that order of sums of VAT which had already been accounted for to HMRC. Held: (Hughes and Toulson JJSC dissenting) The defendant’s appeal succeeded. Including … Continue reading Harvey, Regina v: SC 16 Dec 2015
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 2003 Act had been intended to make provision for those who had been in long term mental health carse, but would not need such continued are but were not either ready to survive without continuing support in the community. The claimant had been convicted of serious sexual and violent offences and detained under a … Continue reading G v Scottish Ministers and Another: SC 18 Dec 2013
Offence must be ;in accordance with law’ The court considered the meaning of the need for an offence to be ‘in accordance with law.’ The applicants did not argue that the expression prescribed by law required legislation in every case, but contended that legislation was required only where the common law rules were so uncertain … Continue reading The Sunday Times (No 1) v The United Kingdom: ECHR 26 Apr 1979
T and JB, asserted that the reference in certificates issued by the state to cautions given to them violated their right to respect for their private life under article 8 of the Convention. T further claims that the obligation cast upon him to disclose the warnings given to him violated the same right. Held: The … Continue reading T and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for The Home Department and Another: SC 18 Jun 2014
ECHR (Grand Chamber) Article 10-1 Freedom of expression Refusal of permission for non-governmental organisation to place television advert owing to statutory prohibition of political advertising: no violation Facts – The Communications Act 2003 prohibits political advertising in television or radio services, the aim being to maintain impartiality in the broadcast media and to prevent powerful … Continue reading Animal Defenders International v The United Kingdom: ECHR 22 Apr 2013
The Court considered a complaint that Article 10 had been infringed by the applicant’s conviction of an offence of publishing obscene items, consisting of paintings which were said ‘mostly to offend the sense of sexual propriety of persons of ordinary sensitivity’. Held: There was no breach of Article 10 ‘Artists and those who promote their … Continue reading Muller And Others v Switzerland: ECHR 24 May 1988
These appeals concern the statutory provisions governing the eligibility for compensation of persons convicted of a criminal offence where their conviction is subsequently quashed (or they are pardoned) because of the impact of fresh evidence. It was argued that the failure to make payment amounted to a denial of the right to the presumption of … Continue reading Hallam, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: SC 30 Jan 2019
The claimant had been imprisoned, but his conviction was later overturned. He had been a victim of a gross abuse of executive power. The British authorities had acted in breach of international law and had been guilty of ‘a blatant and extremely serious failure to adhere to the rule of law with regard to the … Continue reading Mullen, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 29 Apr 2004
The defendant appealed against convictions for rape and indecent assault under the 1956 Act. The allegations dated from 1985 to 1989 when the complainant had been between 9 and 13. The prosecution brought in a doctor who said that in 1993 D complained of sexual abuse by Z when she was a young girl. D … Continue reading Regina v Z: CACD 23 Jan 2009
Prosecution to prove absence of genuine belief To convict a defendant under the 1960 Act, the prosecution had the burden of proving the absence of a genuine belief in the defendant’s mind that the victim was 14 or over. The Act itself said nothing about any mental element, so the assumption must be that mens … Continue reading B (A Minor) v Director of Public Prosecutions: HL 23 Feb 2000
Civil recovery orders had been made against the applicant. He had been accused and acquitted of drug trafficking allegations in Europe, but the judge had been persuaded that he had no proper explanation for the accumulation of his wealth, and had rejected his evidence as unreliable. Held: The defendant’s appeal failed. The making of an … Continue reading Gale and Another v Serious Organised Crime Agency: SC 26 Oct 2011
The applicant sought to challenge the 2004 Hunting Act, saying that it had been passed under the provisions of the 1949 Parliament Act which was itself an unlawful extension of the powers given by the 1911 Parliament Act to allow the House of Commons to bring into law an Act which had not been approved … Continue reading Jackson and others v Attorney General: HL 13 Oct 2005
The defendant appealed against his convictions for sexual assaults committed in the course of providing articicial insemination of various women. Sir Brian Leveson P QBD, Cranston, Singh JJ [2015] EWCA Crim 632 Bailii Sexual Offences Act 2003 3 England and Wales Crime Updated: 29 December 2021; Ref: scu.545614
The defendant absconded, and did not appear for his trial despite several listings. The trial proceeded in his absence entirely. After arrest, he appealed, saying that he had not had a fair trial. Held: It was not suggested that he did not know of the need to appear at court, nor that the trial might … Continue reading Regina v Jones (Anthony William): HL 20 Feb 2002
The court was asked whether the powers conferred under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (‘the SOA 2003’) enable a person who is subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (‘SOPO’) to be required to wear a Location Monitoring Device, ‘a tag’, when away from the premises at which he is residing or staying overnight. The … Continue reading Richards, Regina (on The Application of) v Teesside Magistrates’ Court and Another: CA 16 Jan 2015
Nine counts of voyeurism, contrary to section 67(3) and (5) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 Lord Justice Edis, Mr Justice Turner, Her Honour Judge Karu, (Recorder of Southwark) [2021] EWCA Crim 1583 Bailii England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 24 December 2021; Ref: scu.670356
The applicant, a catholic priest, challenged his extradition for alleged offences of sexual abuse which had taken place in the 1980s, saying it would be an abuse now to prosecute him after such a delay. Held: The case of R v B was of a particular character and not of assistance to the applicant. The … Continue reading Woodcock v The Government of New Zealand: QBD 14 Nov 2003
Appeal from a decision that care workers would not commit a criminal offence under section 39 of the 2003 Act were they to make the practical arrangements for a 27 year old man to visit a sex worker in circumstances where he has capacity (within the meaning of the 2005 Act) to consent to sexual … Continue reading The Secretary of State for Justice v A Local Authority and Others: CA 22 Oct 2021
UTIAC Country guidance (1) In the aftermath of the armed revolution that brought about the fall of the dictatorial and repressive regime of Colonel Qadhafi, the central government in Libya has relied on various militias to undertake security and policing functions. Those militias and the many others that operate within Libya, often have their own … Continue reading AT and Others (Article 15C; Risk Categories) (CG): UTIAC 14 Jul 2014
The claimant had been convicted of a sexual offence many years before and was initially subject to an indefinite obligation to report his whereabouts to the police. After section 91B of the 2003 Act came in he asked for the requirements to be discontinued. He now challenged a refusal by the police and magistrates to … Continue reading Hamill v The Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court and Another: Admn 8 Aug 2014
(City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court – Sitting at Belmarsh Magistrates’ Court) The authority sought the extradition of the defendant to Sweden to face prosecution on allegations of sexual assaults. The defendant argued that the Act allowed extradition only for prosecution, and that in this case questioning only was sought and an extradition would be an … Continue reading The Judicial Authority in Sweden v Assange: 24 Feb 2011
The defendant sought to resist his extradition under a European Arrest Warrant to Sweden to face charges of sexual assaults. He said that the prosecutor who sought the extradition was not a judicial authority within the Framework Decision. Held: The appeal failed (Lord Mance dissenting). The term ‘judicial authority’ had a range of meanings. Under … Continue reading Assange v The Swedish Prosecution Authority: SC 30 May 2012
Background evidence is admissible ‘Where it is necessary to place before the jury evidence of part of a continual background of history relevant to the offence charged in the indictment and without the totality of which the account placed before the jury would be incomplete or incomprehensible, then the fact that the whole account involves … Continue reading Regina v Pettman: CACD 2 May 1985
