CPS News Brief

PCSO convicted of drug dealing and misconduct in public office

Mark Auty, specialist prosecutor in the CPS Special Crime Division, said:

“Oguz Batmaz was the prime mover in a drug dealing enterprise who routinely abused his position as a Police Community Support Officer to assist his criminal activities.

“Batmaz used his access to police computer systems to help his criminal associates, including Wayne Farrell, who had at the time absconded from prison, and Batmaz was fully aware of this, but declined to report it.

“He even provided his accomplices with intelligence held by the Metropolitan Police on the location of possible cannabis factories, so that they could then be targeted for burglary or robbery.

“As a result of video and audio surveillance evidence that clearly showed Batmaz and his accomplices were regularly involved in the supply of drugs, they now face punishment for their corrupt and criminal activity.”

Background:

• Oguz Batmaz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to supply a controlled drug
• Lee Hession, Ayhun Mustafa and Wayne Farrell pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office
• Aaron Eastwood pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal
• Emma Tooke pleaded guilty to harbouring a person unlawfully at large
• Kadir Ozresberoglu, Felipe de Freitas and Anthony Noble pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply a controlled drug.

Stuart Hall faces sentencing for 14 indecent assaults

Stuart Hall will be sentenced on 17 June at Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty to 14 indecent assaults. Nazir Afzal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said:

“We prosecuted Stuart Hall because the evidence of the victims clearly established a pattern of behaviour that was unlawful and for which no innocent explanation could be offered.

“His victims did not know each other and almost two decades separated the first and last assaults but almost all of the victims, including one who was only nine at the time of the assault, provided strikingly similar accounts. Whether in public or private, Hall would first approach under friendly pretences and then bide his time until the victim was isolated. He can only be described as an opportunistic predator.”

Hall admitted the 14 offences at a hearing on 16 April. Reporting restrictions were in place while the CPS considered whether a charge of rape should proceed to trial. Mr Afzal continued:

“We have this week met with the woman who alleged that she had been raped by Stuart Hall, a charge which he has denied. The welfare of complainants is a top priority for us and we always take their concerns into account. In light of the guilty pleas already entered, the complainant no longer wishes to give evidence on the allegation of rape, and we have concluded that it would not be in the public interest to take steps to make her give evidence in court. As such, we will not be proceeding with this charge.

“I would like to thank the victims for having had the bravery to come forward. This case clearly shows that the victims of abuse will not be denied justice by the passage of time and abusers will be held to account.”

William Roache charged with two rapes of a 15 year-old-girl

The Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised Lancashire Police to charge William Roache with two rapes allegedly committed against a 15-year-old girl in 1967.

Nazir Afzal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said:

“We have carefully considered all the evidence gathered by Lancashire Police in relation to William Roache following allegations of rape. We have been reviewing evidence and providing early investigative advice to Lancashire Police since 1 March 2013.

"Having completed our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Roache to be charged with two offences of rape relating to a girl, aged 15, in 1967. Mr Roache will appear at Preston Magistrates' Court on 14 May 2013.

“This decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and our guidance for prosecutors on sexual offences.

“Mr Roache has a right to a fair trial and it is therefore 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.”