GAGGING INTERNET TROLLS OR GAGGING FREEDOM OF SPEECH?

It seems that Alison Saunders at the CPS is about to slice just a little bit more from our freedom of speech.  In the aftermath of many comments, some more warranted than others, on the effects on psychologically vulnerable individuals  of on line abuse Ms Saunders has warned that social media users could be prosecuted for a range of offensive behaviour not excluding virtual mobbing or doxxing which means putting someone`s personal details on line. On the other hand she has advised that prosecutors should exercise considerable caution before bringing charges under the Malicious Communications Act 1988 or the Communications Act 2003.  The new guidelines state that the communication or post must be more than offensive, shocking, disturbing, satirical, iconoclastic or rude and be more than an expression of  unpopular or unfashionable opinion, banter or humour even if distasteful.  It will interesting to read of the application of the guidelines in the next well publicised such case in the public domain.

SENTENCING OF PAEDOPHILES

In the year ended March 2015  6400 convictions for paedophilic and other sexual offences were recorded. In the first quarter of this year 2288 cases were brought before the courts either way or on indictment. We are told that sentencing for such offences has become more severe but as in all statistics there are anomalies.  In this case the offender was given seven years custody but as in all such disposals it is not unlikely he will be released early.  It cannot be said that the sentence was unreasonably harsh or too light.  Yet in this matter twelve months custody suspended for two years was the outcome.  Another case that caught my attention was  this one where the disposal was 10 months custody suspended for two years plus extras with a most bizarre plea of mitigation apparently helpful in his escaping immediate custody.    

Such heinous activities are on the increase.  Their detection and processing through the justice system costs a fortune. If thought through logically why should these perverts not be required to pay substantial sums towards these costs.  After all many other users of the justice system are being given no choice whether in the civil or criminal courts about paying for the privilege.  Substantial costs could be offered by offenders to receive a reduction in custody imposed.  Of course some would object that going down this route would benefit wealthy offenders but are not higher fines already available in magistrates` courts in lieu of more onerous disposals?

KNIFE CRIME; THE SAME OLD SAD STORY

Today with much trumpeting the Sentencing Council published new guidelines on knife crime. Considering the Tory Party conference has just finished I wonder if this is a coincidence.  Ever since my particular interest in criminal law began about twenty years ago each and every government has declared its intention of increased sanctions against those using or brandishing a knife or bladed article; eg on 21/09/2008 Jack Straw then Minister for Justice in his speech at the Labour Party Conference said; " Yesterday we saw the determination of those affected by knife crime as they marched through London. We stand firm with all those who know too well the devastating impact these crimes have and as Jacqui will be spelling out  later, all of us pledge that we will relentlessly keep up our efforts to tackle it."  Every minister responsible for policy on criminal activity since then has repeated a similar mantra.  A limited microcosm of attitudes to knife crime was my topic 3rd July 2015. To return to the reality of daily life in our courts the sentencing structure at Bolton Youth Court earlier this week might raise an eyebrow or two in the light of the above.  The report is as full as one can hope for in the local press but the underlying principle is clearly understood: that the mitigation of the offender`s  dreadful previous experiences and possible rehabilitation was considered to be more important than public protection that would have been offered by his immediate confinement.  Truly the bench will have it on its collective conscience should he cause injury or worse to anyone in future.

VIRTUAL REALITY OF VIDEO COURTS

Justice delayed is justice denied.  That legal maxim has been around for a while and truth be told it has merit.  One only has to consider the lengthy and protracted legal proceedings in a place like India to endorse the sentiment.  But.......and there is a big "but" speedy justice can be little or no justice at all.  In China by all accounts a sentence of execution is carried out within hours or even minutes of the judge`s pronouncement. So it was with some interest that I have been reading of the MOJ`s plans to pin its hopes on the concept of the video or virtual court.  Cambridge Magistrates Court has now gone active with this process.  This report in Cambridge News nowhere mentions the word "magistrate" in a substantive context.  It`s all centred on police procedures.  I just wonder how much input local benches had.  And of more than a little interest their conclusions if indeed they were asked to contribute to the original proposals.  The report concentrates on supposed benefits to the operating capacity of the constabularies involved.  It is a moot point whether such benefits are another product of the virtual reality involved. 

PROBATION REFORM AND McKENZIE FRIENDS

There were many who were doubtful of the hype surrounding "reform" of the probation service.  Sadly but predictably these scepticisms have borne fruit. I told you so is no response to the appalling mess created by Chris Grayling.  It seems political advancement  is the reward for failure.  

With the advances in civilisation it seems that the idium "nature abhors a vacuum"  should  also be applied to humanity.  The wholesale decimation of our legal aid system and the consequences for those bereft of legal advice has in a remarkably short timeframe turned what was an occasional situation in courts into one where those unqualified in law but assuming the mantle of McKenzie friend have even formed their own association. I last posted on this topic 12th January 2016.  It seems, not before time, that the authorities are beginning to take notice of these people.   Perhaps some of the benevolence apparently seeping out from this Tory government will reach the MOJ.

LEGAL AID STATISTICS

I really don`t know whether it is praiseworthy or not but with the legal aid statistics published last week there is also published a user guide to be read in conjunction with the main paper.  My initial reaction is that if statistical tables require that much explanation something is amiss but I guess readers with stamina will make up their own minds.

TIME LIMITS TO POLICE BAIL

Magistrates are used to dealing with bail cases; to a point.  Applicants have been charged and a bench applies guidelines and rules to assess whether in fact remand in custody is necessary or indeed permitted for said offence and/or offender.  Police sergeants at the station have a different problem pre charge.  With a large number of high profile persons having been investigated for child abuse offences in the last few years and many subsequently at liberty on police bail for over a year without being charged the subject has finally hit the headlines with government proposing to place a time limit of 28 days in all such bail cases except in specific cases.  In addition a magistrate would be required to authorise any application to extend bail beyond three months.  Police chiefs have swiftly condemned these proposals.  

I can well understand the police position.  Their numbers have dropped dramatically in the last six years from 143,734 to 124,066.  Although perhaps some statistics tell us crime has fallen and others that it hasn`t IMHO reduced numbers of police officers mean that all the work that they do has to be rationed or performed over a longer period.  And that includes investigation into criminal activity when the person arrested has yet to be charged. F.O.I.  figures for the Met Police in 2014 show 4630 people were on bail for over six months.

Governments always seek scapegoats when publicly funded organisations or those contracted out have their budgets cut dramatically, way beyond expectations of increasing efficiency, and subsequently fail to perform to expected standards. The NHS, UK Border Agency as was, the Probation Service, the Prison Service are but a few examples.  The police are no exception.  Considering the prime minister`s previous office this meeting of contrary opinions is going to cause not a little dust to fly. 

SENTENCING BY FOOTBALL RESULTS

Once again those running football are in the news because of their greed rather than their ability.  Magistrates` benches, unlike football managers,  are ideally constituted for diversity in all its forms; by sex, ethnic origin, by age so that their decisions might be as representative as possible in our diverse legal areas.    At my appointment potential Justices of the Peace had to declare their membership or not of a masonic lodge and their political preferences but that no longer applies. In one sector they are not selected by this variety all sorts approach to justice. They are not mandated to declare their allegiance to a sports team; rugby or football; cricket or hockey.   So in theory in a tight city like Liverpool or Manchester where if there is allegiance for J.P. footie fans  it is between two football  teams and it is not inconceivable that all three members of a bench could support the same team.  Now what happens if that team loses on a Monday night especially to its local opposition and three supporters are on the bench the following morning?  Now, dear reader, you`re wondering if I`m slightly off my head as well as off topic.  Researchers at Louisiana State University in the USA have asserted that juvenile offenders, particularly black offenders, were handed harsher sentences when the university`s football team lost especially when that loss was unexpected.

I wonder if too clever by half criminal lawyers will line  up this possibility of sporting despair when advising convicted clients of their chances on appealing sentence especially if sentence was by single District Judge..

BARLINNE PRISON CALLING YOU TUBE

I have opined in the past that the Prison Officers Association is one of the last bastions of union power in the public service sector.  In addition to what is gleaned in the public arena my own experiences whilst an active J.P. did nothing to dissuade me of this opinion; indeed they confirmed it.  Therefore it was with little surprise but some dismay that I read of a newly incarcerated racist murderer in Glasgow`s Barlinnie Prison  being able to propagate his hateful agenda on You Tube only a few weeks after entering Scotland`s biggest jail. 4.4% of the Scottish prison population consider themselves to be Muslim; a smaller proportion than in England.  It is therefore not unreasonable to consider the possibility (probability?) that inside help was a factor in  Tanveer Ahmed`s ability to obtain a mobile phone in order to spread his vile beliefs.  

THE NON TRIAL OF JOHN O` NEILL

Since January this year the  tale of the man who was required to give police 24 hours notice prior to engaging in sexual activity has provided this blogger and many others with a story simultaneously of mirth and profound dismay.  The apparent conclusion to this tale of which Kafka might have been hesitant to tell took place at York Magistrates` Court where District Judge Adrian Lower imposed twelve conditions on John O` Neill, a man acquitted of rape, and who has apparently no convictions for sexual violence.  These conditions relate to Mr O`Neill`s sexual intentions.

The legal system, quite correctly, has provision to charge and if necessary take to trial those suspected of planning to commit disorder or worse.  But this man is legally innocent of any such intent. By any standards it is a blot on the face of English justice that he has been made subject to such restraints in the same week that it was revealed that a Detective Superintendant was effectively sacked for allowing a murderer to incriminate himself willingly and without any coercion apart from the pleasure of smoking a cigarette whilst so doing.  

The activities of police with regard to what is known all too widely  as domestic violence and victim orientated investigations are becoming increasingly arbritary in their acting as judge,  jury and executioner where the ancient concept of innocent until proved guilty has become an anachronism.

A TALE OF TWO CITIES

As far as I am aware no figures are published of the numbers of magistrates who resign their posts.  Anectdotally it has been estimated by some that since 2012 up to 10% have resigned owing to government policy of court closures.  This latest report of resignations  in Wakefield adds to the litany. 

Further to my post of 13th September it seems that the world has really gone crazy.  As if one Chief Constable`s lunatic suggestion isn`t enough the Police and Crime Commissioner in Leicestershire is considering jumping on to the equality and diversity bandwagon.  Soon it will truly be Sharia law enforcement.

SENTENCING GAP BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE

My criticism of police and their more than occasional thin skins does not allow failure of a bench of magistrates to offer them public protection to go unnoticed.  The offender in this case has such a history of violent behaviour towards them that the words of the bench chairman do not stand up to scrutiny however truncated the report....in my humble opinion of course.   She was at the earlier stage of a community sentence and had had a previous opportunity to solve her alcohol problem.  

This seems to be a perfect example of offering a woman a sentencing option which would not be offered to a male offender.

POLICE WANT SECRECY ON MISCONDUCT

Giving some thought to today`s post it occurred to me that quite a high proportion of my posts have been devoted to criticism of police.  A few years ago that criticism was generally directed against the policies of constabularies or the unusual procedures undertaken by them.  But more recent postings have been more concerned with the antics of senior police officers and the ineptitude or worse that has passed for activities more befitting those cops from Keystone were they not much more serious. The most recent such comments were posted here on August 19th.

The Chief Officers` Council; formally ACPO, in its collective wisdom has tried to persuade its overseers that cases of alleged misconduct against its members be kept secret. What arrogance!  From Watergate to Whitehall it has been demonstrated that the cover up when revealed (as it usually is eventually) has greater ramifications that the misdeed itself.  Those whom we pay and entrust to lead the enforcement of the law should  be the most open of all to scrutiny when that trust appears, rightly or wrongly, to have been misplaced.

THE VIRTUAL WORLD OF POLICING

I have no idea of how many "press" officers are employed by the nation`s police forces but I reckon they all work overtime.  I can`t think of any other public service except perhaps the MOJ where journalistic spin seems to be as much part of its daily environment as the reality of its activities. Two sets of announcements recently have emphasised this variance.  On August 16th a little read publication  "Insurance Times" had a report on the wonderful initiative of City of London Police  to combat cyber crime.  Oh how fortunate we are to have such  stout fellows working behind the scenes to protect are wallets and purses.  But and it`s a big "but" today it has been revealed that 4.5 million debit and/or credit cards have been cancelled owing to fraud by those very same cyber criminals being sought by City of London Police.  It is becoming increasingly difficult to take seriously any statements from any senior police officers in any police force in the country. West Midlands is a classic example.  Last week they announced the establishment of bike patrols to target drivers who overtake cyclists without leaving the minimum  required distance between their vehicle and the bike rider.  Injury to cyclists is indeed concerning but so is assault, careless and dangerous driving, theft, robbery and myriad offences against the person.  

Truly in this regard the real target of police  is in their virtual world  where image supersedes  reality.       

DISQUALIFY MOBILE PHONE DRIVERS

Just over three years ago I posted that increased fines for using a mobile phone whilst driving would be ineffective in controlling this dangerous occupation.  Increasing the number of penalty points was I opined the only sensible deterrent. The problem is getting worse. In its latest report the RAC Foundation states that in road accidents in Great Britain 240 people were killed where one driver was over the drink/drive limit. In the RAC Report on Motoring published today it is stated that "a significant minority of motorists (31%) admit to having used a handheld phone to make or receive calls while driving at some point in the past 12 months".  Government figures indicate that between 2012 and 2014  67 people were killed on our roads because a driver was using a mobile phone. The penalties for alcohol related driving offences are well known; disqualification on first offence for twelve months. Through that deterrence and social changes drink driving and its terrible consequences has been reduced. By comparison the level of fines imposed has had little influence.  

Today it is announced that on the spot fines for the offence of using a mobile phone whilst driving will rise from the current £100 to £150 and penalty points for car and van drivers will increase from three to four.    With the numbers of police patrols both on foot and in car much reduced in our cities it is unlikely that more offenders will be stopped in what is the first step towards punishment.  

The only way to curb this menace is to disqualify from driving for  three months for first offence .

A11) Final estimates for 2014 show that 240 people were killed in accidents in Great Britain where at least one driver was over the drink drive limit. - See more at: http://www.racfoundation.org/motoring-faqs/safety#sthash.v4z2tllE.dpuf

A11) Final estimates for 2014 show that 240 people were killed in accidents in Great Britain where at least one driver was over the drink drive limit. - See more at: http://www.racfoundation.org/motoring-faqs/safety#sthash.v4z2tllE.dpuf

A11) Final estimates for 2014 show that 240 people were killed in accidents in Great Britain where at least one driver was over the drink drive limit. - See more at: http://www.racfoundation.org/motoring-faqs/safety#sthash.v4z2tllE.dpuf

IN THE NAME OF EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

There is no other way of saying this: sometimes I think this country and some of its authorities and power sources have gone arse over tit in their quest for so called "equality".  Perhaps it is the Left`s inability to get over Britain`s activity in the slave trade notwithstanding that Britain was also the first country to abolish that sordid activity which is still operational in parts of the globe. Perhaps the less than benign practices employed for the centuries when Britain ruled an empire still feature on the conscience of those who revile the western concept of democracy built upon Judeo Christian foundations.   Perhaps there are those who began reading Animal Farm but put it down before the story ended and still fail to see where the animals were led by so called "equality".  Whatever the motivation I was astonished to read of a so called Chief Constable who has advocated the possibility in the name of diversity of allowing his female Muslim officers to wear the burka.   This is "equal rights" gone stark staring mad.  Apart from the underlying philosophy of those who choose  to demonstrate their beliefs in such apparel, such beliefs not necessarily compatible with the law of the land they are employed to apply, in practical terms it would be ridiculous.   

I find it disturbing that such thinking processes led to this police chief`s absurd posturing.  

J.P. EN VACANCES

I`m off to La Belle France demain.  Hope to be back here in a week.

FINING FARE DODGERS

The apparent and sometimes actual disproportionality of some sentences, often fines, to offences has always been a cause for concern amongst interested observers of the nitty gritty of our justice  system.  It is acutely apparent in the fining of those who are convicted of non payment of fares on public transport.  Charges are laid to reflect whether or not there was intent to defraud or benign failure to pay.  The problems in my experience have arisen over the application or not by the transport authority of a penalty fare. In my early years on the bench I questioned at all levels the arbitrary nature of the rules on offering penalty fares as operated by prosecutors of the transport authority in my area.  From the bench chairman downwards I was told not to interfere. I did, however, persist and about two to three years later said authority made clear in its literature on line and in private that there would be conformity by its prosecutors.   Generally it worked.  A few years later such work was devolved to a nearby bench as part of a programme of "rationalisation".  I never did discover if that bench held the authority to the standards we had implemented.

So it is not often that a transport company and/or the Justice Ministry is open and clear about its policies towards fare dodgers.  The following is copied from a recent report of proceedings at Exeter Magistrates` Court:-

"Asked to comment on the severity of fines imposed for fare dodging, a Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: “Sentencing is a matter for the independent judiciary, who make their decisions based on the facts of individual cases.”

The maximum penalty for rail fare evasion with intent to avoid paying for a ticket is a £1,000 fine or three months’ imprisonment. The maximum penalty for failing to produce a ticket is a £500 fine.

However, statistics from the Ministry of Justice show the fines imposed by Exeter magistrates recently are well above the average for courts in England and Wales.
Last year 23,894 people were prosecuted for travelling by railway without paying the correct fare, failing to show a ticket or failing to give their name and address – a fall of 21 per cent on the previous year. Of those prosecuted, 18,680 were found guilty.
While 11 people were given a custodial sentence, the vast majority of defendants were fined. The average fine across England and Wales was £290 in 2015 – up from £91 a decade earlier.

A spokesman for train operator Great Western Railway said sentencing was a matter for the courts but added that the firm always attempts to deal with matters without court action.
He said: “Should individuals not respond to us the matter is referred to the criminal court process. Where a penalty fare is issued the passenger is written to and offered the opportunity to pay or to appeal the fine; a subsequent reminder is sent and then it is largely taken out of our hands and into the court process.

“To be consistent for all those travelling the rules are the same regardless of the fare amount and are set out in National Conditions of Carriage. It is the court’s decision and we would respect that decision.”

The GWR spokesman added: “Fare evasion costs the rail industry about £240 million a year. To make sure that customers who pay for rail travel are not unfairly subsidising those who choose to avoid paying, passengers are required to purchase a ticket prior to boarding a service from station ticket offices or from the available ticket vending machines.”

Where a passenger is unable to purchase a ticket prior to boarding – for example if a ticket office is closed and the ticket machine is broken – they are obliged to purchase a ticket at the next available opportunity."

BERET THEFT

Talented transvestite extraordinaire Eddie Izzard had his beret stolen.   Considering it was returned to him does this really justify a charge of theft and all the cost that magistrates` court appearance entails?

McKOSHER FOOD FOR INMATES

As far as I know Judaism is not a  proselytising religion but for those who aspire for whatever reason to join the "chosen people" an initiation for would be male members is the norm. It is somewhat surprising therefore to read of the situation in Glenochil prison in Scotland where over 100 inmates have claimed their conversion to the religion of Jesus justifies their receiving kosher food. I doubt that even Nigella Lawson`s chicken soup would be  tasty enough  for their undergoing the ultimate procedure in proclaiming their new faith.  Apparently the prison authorities have to take them at their word without making further inquiries or examination as to their depth of commitment.