CPS News Brief

Operation Elveden: CPS decides Fergus Shanahan will face prosecution

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

Ms Levitt said:

"This statement is made in the interests of transparency and accountability to explain the decisions reached in respect of cases arising from Operation Elveden, which is the Metropolitan Police Service investigation into allegations involving the unlawful provision of information by public officials to journalists.

"This announcement relates to a file of evidence from the Metropolitan Police Service that was received by the CPS on 4 March 2013.

"Following a careful review of the evidence, we have concluded that Fergus Shanahan, who served as an Editor at the Sun newspaper, should be charged with an offence of conspiring to commit misconduct in public office.

"It is alleged that in August 2006 and August 2007 Mr Shanahan, in his role as an editor, authorised one of his journalists to make two payments totalling £7,000 to a public official for the disclosure of information.

"Our decision to prosecute was considered carefully in accordance with the DPP's guidelines on the public interest in cases affecting the media. These guidelines require prosecutors to consider whether the public interest served by the conduct in question outweighs the overall criminality before bringing criminal proceedings.

"Accordingly, we have authorised the institution of proceedings and Mr Shanahan will appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on 8 May 2013.

"May I remind all concerned that proceedings for a criminal offence involving Mr Shanahan will now be commenced and that he 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 charge is as follows:

Fergus Shanahan, between 7 August 2006 and 14 August 2007, conspired with a public official and a journalist to commit misconduct in a public office.

Four Luton men jailed for preparation of terrorist acts

Zahid Iqbal, Mohammed Sharfaraz Ahmed, Umar Arshad and Syed Farhan Hussain were today sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court having pleaded guilty on 1 March 2013 to one count contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, the preparation of terrorism acts.

Deborah Walsh, deputy head of Counter-Terrorism at the CPS, said:

“Four dangerous and committed terrorists are today starting lengthy prison sentences where they will no longer be a threat to the British public.

“Zahid Iqbal was a terrorist facilitator who arranged for individuals to travel to Pakistan for extremist purposes. Iqbal arranged one such visit for Mohammed Sharfaraz Ahmed in March 2011.

“Ahmed was engaged in the radicalisation and recruitment of others for an extremist cause and recruits included his co-defendants Arshad and Hussain. Ahmed and others undertook physical and mental training which was sometimes carried out in Snowdonia North Wales. This was a favourite destination with Ahmed due to its apparent resemblance to the mountains of Pakistan and he was observed there carrying out regimental hikes, press-ups and runs.

“All four men have shown a deep commitment to engage in violent “Jihad”. In April 2011, Iqbal and Ahmed discussed an attack on the Territorial Army base in Luton using explosives placed on a remote controlled car. Independent forensic evidence has confirmed the device was viable.

“The police and Security Service succeeded in stopping these men before they were able to harm innocent lives. But the case highlights the continued threat posed by UK based terrorists and the complex web of international support that informs and encourages their dangerous and destructive plans. It is also a reminder that terrorist activity committed abroad can and will be prosecuted in UK courts.”

 

ZAHID IQBAL An extended sentence of 16 years 3 months comprising a custodial element of 11 years 3 months and an extended licence period of 5 years. Terrorism Act notification requirement for 30 years

MOHAMMED SHARFARAZ AHMED. An extended sentence of 16 years 3 months comprising a custodial element of 11 years 3 months and an extended licence period of 5 years. Terrorism Act notification requirement for 30 years

UMAR ARSHAD. A sentence of imprisonment of 6 years 9 months. Terrorism Act notification requirement for 15 years

SYED FARHAN HUSSAIN. A sentence of imprisonment of 5 years 3 months. Terrorism Act notification requirement for 15 years

CPS statement on the conviction of Opemipo Jaji

A man has been convicted of raping an 11-year-old girl in a park in Enfield on 23 November.

Opemipo Jaji was convicted of one count of rape at the Central Criminal Court today and will be sentenced at a later date.

Sarah Maclaren, CPS London Head of Rape and Serious Sexual Offences, said:

“This was a vicious and horrific attack on a young victim which lasted almost three hours.

“The victim was on her way home from school with her friend on the bus and a few minutes later Jaji got on the same bus.

“He then followed the victim off the bus and dragged her into the park where she was subjected to a prolonged and terrifying ordeal. The victim tried to get away several times and was pulled back by Jaji who threatened to stab her.

“As a result of this conviction a dangerous sexual offender has now been brought to justice.

“I would like to thank the 11-year-old victim and her family for their enormous strength and courage in supporting this prosecution.

“Victims of sexual crimes should know that their cases will be handled by specialist and dedicated prosecutors and that there are many special measures available to help and support victims and witnesses through the prosecution process.”

Man jailed over £60,000 worth of Viagra style medicine

Brian Hipwood, of Ealing, was today sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court for possession of illegal medicines and tobacco duty evasion. He was convicted on 14 March 2013 on one count of Cheating the Public Revenue, nine counts of possession of a medicinal product without a marketing authorisation and one count of possession of a class C drug with intent to supply.

Mhairi Urquhart, specialist fraud lawyer for the CPS, said:

“When officers from HM Revenue and Customs first visited the home of Brian Hipwood, he was apprehended in a state of undress as he attempted to leave the property. He clearly had something to hide.

“Not only was Hipwood selling tobacco without declaring the duty, he was selling unauthorised and therefore potentially dangerous unlicensed Viagra-style medicine too.

“When officers searched containers in Willesden rented by Hipwood, they found a staggering amount of illegal produce. Not a single penny of the £46,000 that was due to the Public Revenue from the cigarettes and hand-rolled tobacco that Hipwood was selling had been paid.

“Literally thousands of Viagra-style medicines were also found, with a street value of over £64,000. Medicine is licensed and controlled for a good reason; to ensure the safety of those using it. The tablets found in Hipwood’s possession had undergone no such quality control.

“Today should serve as a warning to those who seek to make money by ignoring important safety checks.”