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11/06/2013
Video Evidence To Protect Vulnerable From Courtroom Stress
Following concerns for the wellbeing of children giving evidence in sexual abuse cases the government have announced a new pilot scheme that will see them questioned by defence lawyers on video prior to the case reaching the court room.
According to the BBC, justice minister, Chris Grayling has said the move will help avoid the “cauldron of the courtroom”.
Currently children and vulnerable adults can give their evidence via video link or from behind a screen. And on occasion prosecutors will use pre-recorded videos of police interviews, to reduce the amount of time the person has to appear in court.
A number of recent cases have been targeted for criticism for overly aggressive question, with one witness allegedly being questioned by 7 different defence lawyers over the course of 3 weeks.
Ministers have now said that they will implement section 28 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999,
This allows the cross-examination of children and the most vulnerable adult victims to be recorded before trial so that they do not have to take part in the live process.
The new system will now be piloted for six months in Leeds, Liverpool and Kingston-upon-Thames.
(MH/CD)
According to the BBC, justice minister, Chris Grayling has said the move will help avoid the “cauldron of the courtroom”.
Currently children and vulnerable adults can give their evidence via video link or from behind a screen. And on occasion prosecutors will use pre-recorded videos of police interviews, to reduce the amount of time the person has to appear in court.
A number of recent cases have been targeted for criticism for overly aggressive question, with one witness allegedly being questioned by 7 different defence lawyers over the course of 3 weeks.
Ministers have now said that they will implement section 28 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999,
This allows the cross-examination of children and the most vulnerable adult victims to be recorded before trial so that they do not have to take part in the live process.
The new system will now be piloted for six months in Leeds, Liverpool and Kingston-upon-Thames.
(MH/CD)
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Plans to give young, vulnerable witnesses better support and encourage more witnesses to come forward with evidence of crimes has been published by Justice Minister Maria Eagle.
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Two Further Arrests Made In 2007 Disappearance Case
Police in Bradford have arrested two men in connection with the 2007 disappearance of 32-year-old Sajid Saddique . Mr Saddique from Allerton was last seen on the morning of 14 February, over seven years ago. A 48 and 52-year-old were arrested in Bradford. It is understood that police have new evidence suggeting Mr Saddique was murdered.
28 November 2011
Double Jeopardy Tried Again
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The Scottish Government has announced changes to the double 'jeopardy rule' that will see those acquitted of crimes tried again in a broader range of circumstances.
28 April 2006
Five deny London bomb plot charges
Five men have denied charges over the alleged attempts to carry out bomb attacks on the London transport network last July. Ibrahim Muktar Said, 27, Ramzi Mohammed, 23, Yassin Omar, 24, and Hussain Osman, 27, all from London, denied charges of conspiracy to murder and cause explosions.
Five deny London bomb plot charges
Five men have denied charges over the alleged attempts to carry out bomb attacks on the London transport network last July. Ibrahim Muktar Said, 27, Ramzi Mohammed, 23, Yassin Omar, 24, and Hussain Osman, 27, all from London, denied charges of conspiracy to murder and cause explosions.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Some low cloud lingering in the north and west through the day, although cloud should burn back to the coast as the day goes on. Elsewhere some good sunny spells with very little cloud. Warm with light winds. Maximum temperature 22 °C.Tonight:A sunny evening for most except where cloud lingers along the north coast. Cloud will increase for a lot of areas overnight with mist and fog patches developing. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
