CPS News Brief

CPS London statement on sentencing of Damien Red Saunders

Claire Holder, a CPS London Senior Crown Prosecutor, said:

“This predatory paedophile posed as a babysitter to gain entry into the homes of two families. He provided bogus details of babysitting experience and references and stalled requests for CRB information.

“Saunders used his charm to deliberately exploit the trust of the parents in this case in order to commit unspeakable crimes against their daughters. He planned these crimes in great detail, even drafting scripts about how to execute his plans.

“Documented evidence was found in Saunders’ home of plans to commit more serious crimes, including the abduction, rape and murder of a child. The CPS worked closely with the police in presenting a robust case to the court that left Saunders with no choice but to plead guilty to his crimes.”

Circus owner guilty of mistreating Anne the elephant

A circus owner has been found guilty of animal welfare offences for his mistreatment of Anne the Elephant, a protected animal for whom he was responsible.

Bobby Roberts was found guilty by a Magistrates’ Court sitting at Northampton Crown Court of causing unnecessary suffering, failing to prevent unnecessary suffering and failure to meet his responsibilities towards the elephant. His co-owner and wife, Moira Roberts, was found not guilty of the same offences.

Richard Crowley, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor at CPS East Midlands, said:

“The images of the abuse suffered by Anne the Elephant upset a great many people across the country. Bobby Roberts had clear responsibilities for this elephant’s welfare, which he wilfully neglected when he treated her appallingly. Anne was kept chained up, beaten regularly and suffered significantly as a result.

“Not only did Bobby Roberts breach his professional obligations towards Anne, but his neglect and abuse was criminal. He gave instructions for Anne to be chained and took no action to prevent the beatings she had received, failing to provide any training or supervision for the staff member responsible for her.

“Today should serve as a warning that those who mistreat animals can expect to face prosecution.”

CPS authorises charging of Steven John Grieveson with murder after new evidence

Kingsley Hyland, Head of the Complex Casework Unit at CPS North East, said:

“I have today authorised Northumbria Police to charge Steven John Grieveson (AKA Steven John Field), 42, with one count of murder, after careful consideration of new evidence in this case.

“The charge relates to the discovery of the body of 14-year old Simon Martin at a derelict property in Sunderland, on 26th May of 1990.

“This decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. He will appear via video link at Sunderland Magistrates’ Court on the 4th of December.”

Kweku Adoboli convicted of two counts of fraud

Former UBS trader Kweku Adoboli was today convicted of two counts of fraud by abuse of position. Andrew Penhale, deputy head of fraud at the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“Behind all the technical financial jargon in this case, the question for the jury was whether Kweku Adoboli had acted dishonestly, in causing a loss to the bank of $2.3bn. He did so, by breaking the rules, covering up and lying. In any business context, his actions amounted to fraud, pure and simple.

“The amount of money involved was staggering, impacting hugely on the bank but also on their employees, shareholders and investors. This was not a victimless crime.

“The CPS Central Fraud Division are pleased to have brought this case so quickly to conclusion, with the trial opening one year to the day after the case was reported to City of London Police. This is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of the whole prosecution team.

“People who commit fraud, in any walk of life, should know that the scale and technicality of a case is no barrier to bringing it to justice. At the heart of any complex fraud is a simple notion of dishonesty which is something that we can all understand.”

Charging announcement in relation to Operation Elveden

Alison Levitt, QC, Principal Legal Advisor to the Director of Public Prosecutions, oversees CPS decision making and all potential prosecutions in relation to the ongoing phone hacking investigations and other related matters. Miss Levitt said:

“This statement is made in the interests of transparency and accountability to explain the decisions reached in respect of allegations arising from Operation Elveden into allegations of unlawful payment by News International staff to public officials.

“This announcement relates to two files of evidence received from the Metropolitan Police Service. The two files were received on 30 August 2012 and are:

• A file for charging advice involving two journalists in relation to allegations of misconduct in public office.
• A file for charging advice involving two journalists and two public officials in relation to allegations of misconduct in public office.

“The first of these two files relates to:

• Clive Goodman, who was the Royal Correspondent for News of the World before 2007; and
• Andy Coulson, who was the News of the World’s Deputy Editor between 2000 and 2003 and Editor between 2003 and 2007.

“We have concluded, following a careful review of the evidence, that Clive Goodman and Andy Coulson should be charged with two conspiracies. The allegations relate to the request and authorisation of payments to public officials in exchange for information, including a Palace phone directory known as the “Green Book” containing contact details for the Royal Family and Members of the Household.

“The second of these two files relates to:

• Rebekah Brooks, who was Editor of the Sun between 14 January 2003 and 1 September 2009;
• John Kay, who was Chief Reporter at the Sun between 1990 and 2011;
• Bettina Jordan-Barber, employed by the Ministry of Defence; and
• One further suspect in relation to whom the investigation is still ongoing.

“We have concluded, following a careful review of the evidence, that Bettina Jordan-Barber, John Kay and Rebekah Brooks should be charged with a conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office between 1 January 2004 and 31 January 2012. This conspiracy relates to information allegedly provided by Bettina Jordan-Barber for payment which formed the basis of a series of news stories published by The Sun. It is alleged that approximately £100,000 was paid to Bettina Jordan-Barber between 2004 and 2011.

“All of these matters were considered carefully in accordance with the DPP’s guidelines on the public interest in cases affecting the media. This guidance asks prosecutors to consider whether the public interest served by the conduct in question outweighs the overall criminality before bringing criminal proceedings.

“Following charge, these individuals will appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on a date to be determined.

“May I remind all concerned that these five individuals now will be charged with criminal offences and that each has a right to a fair trial. It is very important that nothing is said, or reported, which could prejudice that trial. For these reasons it would be inappropriate for me to comment further."

The full charges are as follows:

Andy Coulson & Clive Goodman

Charge 1

Clive Goodman and Andrew Coulson, between 31 August 2002 and 31 January 2003, conspired together and with a person or persons unknown to commit misconduct in public office. Contrary to s.1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977

Charge 2

Clive Goodman and Andrew Coulson, between 31 January 2005 and 3 June 2005, conspired together and with a person or persons unknown to commit misconduct in public office. Contrary to s.1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977

Bettina Jordan-Barber, John Kay & Rebekah Brooks

Charge 1

Bettina Jordan-Barber, John Kay and Rebekah Brooks, between 1 January 2004 and 31 January 2012, conspired together, and with others, to commit misconduct in public office. Contrary to s.1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977