CPS News Brief

CPS statement on 30 March Guardian story entitled: "Police face racism scandal after black man records abuse"

Grace Ononiwu, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London, said:

“Lawyers for the complainant have written to the CPS and asked us to review our decision. I have considered the matter personally and directed that all of the evidence should be reconsidered and a fresh decision taken by a senior lawyer with no previous involvement in this matter. That process will be completed as soon as possible, and is the procedure we often adopt when pre-action protocol judicial review proceedings are initiated.”

CPS celebrates March's 'Successes of the Month'

The CPS is celebrating the outstanding work of teams and individuals up and down the country by publishing their stories on the CPS website.

In our 'Successes of the Month', we congratulate those colleagues who have gone beyond the call of duty or who have made a real contribution to their communities by working hard to see justice done.

This month CPS London has secured the first ever ASBO for a wildlife offence, CPS Wessex convicted a man in a case with traces of ‘The Usual Suspects’ about it, and the hard work of the Human Resources team at CPS HQ has saved the service £60,000.

Liam Stacey’s conviction for tweet about Fabrice Muamba

There have been some inaccurate reports in a number of places about the offence with which Liam Stacey was charged. He was charged with, and pleaded guilty to, a Racially Aggravated s4A Public order Act 1986, and not inciting racial hatred.

Former Cheale Meats employees to be prosecuted for animal cruelty

Simon Clements, Head of the Welfare, Rural and Health Prosecutions Division at the Crown Prosecution Service said:

“I have advised the Food Standards Agency that Piotr Andrzej Wasiuta and Kelly Smith should be prosecuted for animal cruelty offences following the alleged mistreatment of pigs at Orchard Farm, Little Warley, Brentwood, Essex in March and April of last year.

“Piotr Andrzej Wasiuta faces three charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a pig by applying a lighted cigarette to its snout, contrary to sections 4(1) and 32(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

“Kelly Smith faces four charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a pig. Two of the charges relate to failing to ensure that a lame pig was not humanely slaughtered immediately and two of the charges relate to striking a pig with a baton, all contrary to sections 4(1) and 32(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

“This decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. After careful consideration of all the evidence, I am satisfied there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and it is in the public interest to prosecute this case.

“Both will appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 18 April 2012.

“They now stand charged with criminal offences and they each have the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that nothing should be reported which could prejudice this trial."

Background:

• This is a summary only offence which carries a maximum sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or a fine not exceeding £20,000, or both.
• 29 year old Piotr Andrzej Wasiuta is from the Southend on Sea area
• 40 year old Kelly Smith is from the Benfleet area

David Bryant sentenced to 17 years for historic sexual abductions

Gerry Sydenham, Head of the Crown Court Unit at CPS North East, said:

“While the impact of Bryant’s despicable actions caused untold distress and harm to his young victims, the impact of those crimes went much further.

“Through his actions, Bryant created fear and distrust in an area where, prior to his crimes, parents could feel confident that their children played in safety.

“Despite the damage he caused, Bryant has shown little remorse for his actions. After being presented with overwhelming DNA evidence as early as May last year, Bryant denied his guilt until February of this year. This effectively prolonged the anxiety and suffering for his victims, their families and the wider community.

“I hope that this sentence helps provide some sense of closure for all of those affected by this man’s selfish and deplorable crimes.”

For more information, please see the full press release here.

Former top lawyer convicted for fraudulent travel claims

Sue Patten, Head of the CPS Central Fraud Group said:

"Christopher Kenneth Grierson has today pleaded guilty to the full extent of his criminality. He has been convicted on all four charges against him covering 57 fraudulent travel claims worth £1.2 million, over just four years.

“In pleading guilty, Mr Grierson has admitted to providing his former employers, Hogen Lovells, with misleading, false and deceptive documents.

“He was charged under the Theft Act last December. Today’s conviction is a clear example of speedy justice in a fraud case in action.

“Today’s message is clear: fraud is always a serious matter. Defrauding your employer or otherwise abusing a position of trust, especially over a long period of time, makes it particularly serious.”

• Grierson will be sentenced on 3 May 2012.
• Grierson was charged with and pleaded guilty to four counts of Furnishing False Information contrary to section 17(1)(b) of the Theft Act 1968.
• He co-operated fully with the police and had resigned and repaid Hogan Lovells all the monies he had dishonestly obtained prior to police involvement.

Statement on Stockwell Shooting

Statement on the case of Nathaniel Grant, Kazeem Kolawole and Anthony McCalla.

CPS London Chief Crown Prosecutor, Alison Saunders said:

“This case is a sad and shocking example of how gun crime can devastate innocent lives. These three men convicted here today showed a complete disregard for public safety firing aimlessly into a shop and seriously wounding two innocent bystanders. In particular they have left a very young girl severely disabled.

“The CCTV footage and phone records from the night in question allowed us to track these three defendants over a significant period of time. We pieced together their movements in order to clearly show the jury that these three men were responsible for this terrible crime.

“We had to show the jury in this case some harrowing footage of the incident and I thank them for their time in coming to today’s verdict.

“Although both victims of this crime will never forget what has happened, I hope that the convictions secured today will provide some comfort to them and their families.”