When the defendant charged with indecent assault was remanded on bail to await trial, the magistrate ordered that there should be no report of the proceedings at that stage because of the defendant’s concerns that publicity would lead to his being attacked; this would frustrate the administration of justice because he might no longer be able to face trial. The newspaper objected.
Held: Magistrates cannot prevent publication of proceedings outside the strict limits of the Act even if could interfere with course of justice. ‘The use of the words ‘some other public interest’ indicates that Lord Diplock had in mind the protection of the public interest in the administration of justice rather than the private welfare of those caught up in that administration.’
Citations:
Times 27-Aug-1997, 1997 NILR 309, [1997] NI QBD 309
Statutes:
Contempt of Court Act 1981 4(2)
Cited by:
Appeal from – Belfast Telegraph Newspapers Ltd, In the Matter of CANI 3-Apr-2001
. .
Cited – Harper and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Aldershot Magistrates Court Admn 8-Jun-2010
Police defendants not to have addresses withheld
The defendants, senior police officers were accused of misconduct in public office, being said to have sought improperly to interfere in prosecutions for speeding. They appealed against refusal by the magistrates to have their addresses protected. . .
Lists of cited by and citing cases may be incomplete.
Contempt of Court, Northern Ireland
Updated: 09 April 2022; Ref: scu.87436