Menu
18/07/2012
Two National Newspapers Found Guilty Of Contempt Of Court
The Daily Mail and Daily Mirror have been found guilty of contempt of court over their coverage of Levi Bellfield's conviction for the murder of Milly Dowler.
The High Court ruled the two national newspapers had published "seriously prejudicial" articles, a claim the newspapers had denied.
When the articles were published, jurors had still been considering a separate attempted abduction charge.
During the contempt case, brought by Attorney General Dominic Grieve, the judges were told that stories in the Mail and Mirror were part of an "avalanche" of adverse publicity that followed the guilty verdicts against Bellfield.
Jurors had still been considering a charge that Bellfield had attempted to abduct Rachel Cowles, then aged 11, the day before he snatched 13-year-old Milly in Walton, Surrey, in 2002.
Sir John Thomas and Mr Justice Tugendhat heard that as a result of the "totality" of the publicity, the Old Bailey jury was discharged from returning a verdict on that count.
The newspapers argued during the contempt case that their articles would not have created a substantial risk of serious prejudice. But the two judges ruled in favour of the attorney general.
Mr Grieve said after the decision: "It is unfortunate that the deluge of media coverage following the Milly Dowler verdict, not only by these papers but also other media outlets, led to the judge discharging the jury before they had completed their deliberations on a charge of attempted kidnap, ultimately depriving Rachel Cowles of a verdict in her case.
"This prosecution is a reminder to the press that whilst the jury is still to reach a verdict on all counts of the indictment the Contempt of Court Act applies.
"The question of penalty is now for the court to consider."
(H/GK)
The High Court ruled the two national newspapers had published "seriously prejudicial" articles, a claim the newspapers had denied.
When the articles were published, jurors had still been considering a separate attempted abduction charge.
During the contempt case, brought by Attorney General Dominic Grieve, the judges were told that stories in the Mail and Mirror were part of an "avalanche" of adverse publicity that followed the guilty verdicts against Bellfield.
Jurors had still been considering a charge that Bellfield had attempted to abduct Rachel Cowles, then aged 11, the day before he snatched 13-year-old Milly in Walton, Surrey, in 2002.
Sir John Thomas and Mr Justice Tugendhat heard that as a result of the "totality" of the publicity, the Old Bailey jury was discharged from returning a verdict on that count.
The newspapers argued during the contempt case that their articles would not have created a substantial risk of serious prejudice. But the two judges ruled in favour of the attorney general.
Mr Grieve said after the decision: "It is unfortunate that the deluge of media coverage following the Milly Dowler verdict, not only by these papers but also other media outlets, led to the judge discharging the jury before they had completed their deliberations on a charge of attempted kidnap, ultimately depriving Rachel Cowles of a verdict in her case.
"This prosecution is a reminder to the press that whilst the jury is still to reach a verdict on all counts of the indictment the Contempt of Court Act applies.
"The question of penalty is now for the court to consider."
(H/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 April 2013
Hearing Underway To Decide Date And Venue Of New Hillsborough Inquest
A hearing is underway at the Family Division of the High Court in London to decide on the date and location of a fresh inquest into the deaths of the 96 Hillsborough victims. A new inquest was ordered after High Court judges quashed the original accidental death verdicts in December.
Hearing Underway To Decide Date And Venue Of New Hillsborough Inquest
A hearing is underway at the Family Division of the High Court in London to decide on the date and location of a fresh inquest into the deaths of the 96 Hillsborough victims. A new inquest was ordered after High Court judges quashed the original accidental death verdicts in December.
10 July 2007
21/7 jury discharged after failing to reach verdicts
The jury has failed to reach verdicts on the charges against two defendants in the 21/7 bombing trial. Manfo Kwaku Asiedu, 34, of no fixed address and Adel Yahya, 24, of High Road In Tottenham had both denied charges of conspiracy to murder.
21/7 jury discharged after failing to reach verdicts
The jury has failed to reach verdicts on the charges against two defendants in the 21/7 bombing trial. Manfo Kwaku Asiedu, 34, of no fixed address and Adel Yahya, 24, of High Road In Tottenham had both denied charges of conspiracy to murder.
30 June 2009
Accused Cleared Of Canal Boat Lovers' Murder
A man who stabbed his lover and best friend after catching them having sex on his canal boat has been cleared of their murders. William Cranston, 44, was found guilty of manslaughter by reason of provocation after claiming he did not know there was a kitchen knife in his hand when he pushed girlfriend Kay Morton, 39, and Paul Wilkins, 55.
Accused Cleared Of Canal Boat Lovers' Murder
A man who stabbed his lover and best friend after catching them having sex on his canal boat has been cleared of their murders. William Cranston, 44, was found guilty of manslaughter by reason of provocation after claiming he did not know there was a kitchen knife in his hand when he pushed girlfriend Kay Morton, 39, and Paul Wilkins, 55.
28 April 2009
Trio Cleared Of 7/7 Bombings Involvement
Three British Muslims have been cleared of conspiring to plan terrorist attacks, in relation to the London July 7 bombings, which killed 52 people. Waheed Ali, 25, Sadeer Saleem, 28, and Mohammed Shakil, 32, all from Leeds, were all cleared by a jury of carrying out a reconnaissance mission to help the London bombers at Kingston Crown Court.
Trio Cleared Of 7/7 Bombings Involvement
Three British Muslims have been cleared of conspiring to plan terrorist attacks, in relation to the London July 7 bombings, which killed 52 people. Waheed Ali, 25, Sadeer Saleem, 28, and Mohammed Shakil, 32, all from Leeds, were all cleared by a jury of carrying out a reconnaissance mission to help the London bombers at Kingston Crown Court.
21 November 2011
Contempt Of Court Proceedings Begin Against Sky News
The Attorney General is to launch contempt of court proceedings against Sky News for allegedly breaking an injunction over a kidnapped British couple that were being held in Somalia.
Contempt Of Court Proceedings Begin Against Sky News
The Attorney General is to launch contempt of court proceedings against Sky News for allegedly breaking an injunction over a kidnapped British couple that were being held in Somalia.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
