The Ched Evans case demonstrates the importance of rape trials. He was acquitted at a retrial of rape. The result has reignited debate about criminal justice for women. The well known allegations are that he was a footballer who went to hotel room he had booked after receiving a message that a colleague had “got … Continue reading
Want to know the law on sexual offences since 1957? Click here On 9 July 2015, the Goddard Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse began. Justice Goddard gave an opening statement, setting out the principles of the independent inquiry. […] 2. The task ahead of us is daunting. The sexual abuse of children over successive generations has … Continue reading
This book review was first posted by Andrew Keogh on his Crimeline website on 1 May 2015. Publication of this updated text is timely given the rise in prosecutions for sexual offences and the heightened public scrutiny of the trial process. Practitioners in this field go to court ill equipped at their peril, and therefore need … Continue reading
On 8 March 2015, the Sexual Offences Act 2003 was amended, making changes to the provisions dealing with behaviour orders to be imposed following complaint or conviction (etc.) for a sexual offence. The following orders were repealed: Sexual Offences Prevention Orders (ss.104-113) Risk of Sexual Harm Orders (123-129) Foreign Travel Orders (ss.114-122) These orders will … Continue reading
Earlier this month, the second edition of the Sexual Offences Handbook arrived from the printers – and we’re thrilled with it! To order your copy visit Wildy’s or Amazon. Contents The new edition covers all the law, practice and procedure on sexual offending in England and Wales since 1957; whether you have a complicated historical sexual … Continue reading
In the Rolf Harris trial one victim was said to have waived her anonymity. There is no law that allows her to do this although a publisher would have a defence to an allegation of contempt if she had provided written consent. The law requires an application to be made to the court. Witness … Continue reading
Ian Watkins, former singer in the Lostprophets, yesterday pleaded guilty to attempted rape and sexual assault of a child under 13 (but not guilty to rape) and he “also admitted three counts of sexual assault involving children and six involving taking, making or possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing an extreme … Continue reading
Sexual relationships between teachers and pupils aged 16 and over have been happening for a long time. Similarly, for a long time, there has been a feeling that, once at the age of consent, a sexual relationship between consenting adults – irrespective of the student/teacher relationship – is not one into which the law should … Continue reading
Sexual Offences Act 2003 s 104 Sexual Offences Prevention Orders (imposed post-conviction) are designed to protect the public from serious sexual harm occasioned by the offender. It is now relatively well settled as to what ‘serious sexual harm’ and ‘protecting the public’ mean. Appeals founded on the grounds that the judge was wrong to determine … Continue reading
