CPS News Brief

Operation Elveden: Two Sun journalists and former Broadmoor healthcare assistant to be charged

Gregor McGill, a senior lawyer with the Crown Prosecution Service, whose team handles CPS decision making and potential prosecutions in relation to the ongoing phone hacking investigations and other related matters, 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’s investigation into allegations involving the unlawful provision of information by public officials to journalists.

“This announcement relates to two files of evidence from the Metropolitan Police Service received by the CPS on 5 April and 24 May 2013.

“Following a careful review of the evidence, we have concluded that Jamie Pyatt, a journalist at The Sun newspaper, John Edwards, Pictures Editor at The Sun newspaper, and Robert Neave, a former healthcare assistant at Broadmoor Hospital, should each be charged with one count of conspiring together, and with persons unknown, to commit misconduct in a public office.

“In relation to the specific allegations in this case, it is alleged that over a period of almost nine years The Sun newspaper made payments totalling more than £30,000 to public officials including police officers, army personnel and Broadmoor officials, including Robert Neave, in exchange for information.

“It is alleged that the information for which The Sun made payments included that relating to the health and activities of Broadmoor patients, details about the work of a member of the Royal family and details of ongoing police investigations.

“All of these matters were considered carefully in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and the DPP's guidelines on the public interest in cases affecting the media. These guidelines asks 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 against Jamie Pyatt, John Edwards and Robert Neave and all three individuals will appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on 18 July 2013.

"May I remind all concerned that proceedings for criminal offences involving these three individuals will now be commenced 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 charge is as follows:

Between 22 March 2002 and 12 January 2011, JAMIE PYATT, JOHN EDWARDS and ROBERT NEAVE conspired together and with public officials unknown, namely public officials employed at Broadmoor secure hospital, employees of the Thames Valley and Surrey Police forces, and officials in the British Army, to commit misconduct in a public office.

Jeremy Forrest convicted of child abduction

A Sussex schoolteacher who fled to France with one of his pupils has been found guilty of abducting a child.

Jeremy Forrest was convicted at Lewes Crown Court today after he took the girl to France. They were eventually found in Bordeaux a week after their disappearance.

Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS South East, Portia Ragnauth, said:

“This case was one where a teacher was in a position of authority over a 15 year old pupil and abducted her, taking her to another country. Not only did he breach the trust and confidence that all the parents at that school had placed in him, he also brought disgrace to his profession, who are trusted to look after the children in their care.

“Forrest lied systematically about his relationship with the girl, repeatedly seeking to assure others, who were concerned about the welfare of his victim that nothing untoward was going on between them.

“Nothing detracts from the fact that this was an abduction. The law clearly states that it is an offence to remove a child from the care of their parents or lawful guardian without the adult’s consent. Add to that the torment and anguish that the victim’s family went through while they were gone.

“None of us can begin to imagine how worried they were about her safety and wellbeing while she was gone for over a week, not knowing where she was or whether she was safe. It’s a parent’s worst nightmare to have their child abducted and to not know whether they will ever see them again.

“Because Forrest abducted his victim to another country, this has been a complex case to bring to trial, which has been achieved by diligent work by our Complex Casework Unit and Sussex Police, along with assistance from our colleagues in France and the French courts.”

Man to be charged with gross negligence manslaughter over deaths at ‘The Old Maltings’ building site

Gaon Hart, a Senior Crown Advocate in the Special Crime Division for the CPS, said:

“The CPS carefully reviewed all of the evidence gathered by Suffolk Police during their investigation into the tragic deaths of Matthew Skeet, 19, and Kevin Ruffles, 57, on 21 October 2010.

“Matthew and Kevin died whilst working on a building site at ‘The Old Maltings’ in Worlingworth Suffolk, when a wall collapsed on top of them.

“It was concluded that there is sufficient evidence to charge Barry Potts, a Structural Engineer who was advising Matthew and Kevin on their work, with gross negligence manslaughter under the common law and with a health and safety offence.

“It is alleged that Mr Potts gave Matthew Skeet and Kevin Ruffles permission to dig a trench under part of the wall, which weakened the foundations and led the wall to collapse.

“The CPS has also concluded that there is sufficient evidence to charge Elliston Steady & Hawes (Building) Limited, the company who owned the site, ‘The Old Maltings’ in Worlingworth Suffolk, with Health and Safety offences.

“This decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

“I extend my sincere sympathies to the families of Mr Skeet and Mr Ruffles.”

Mr Potts and Elliston Steady & Hawes (Building) have been summonsed to appear before Ipswich Magistrates Court on 5 July 2013.

 

Background

Actual offences:

• MANSLAUGHTER contrary to Common Law - Barry Potts, between the 1st day of October 2010 and the 21st day of October 2010 unlawfully killed Matthew Skeet by gross negligence.

• MANSLAUGHTER contrary to Common Law - Barry Potts, between the 1st day of October 2010 and the 21st day of October 2010 unlawfully killed Kevin Ruffles by gross negligence.

• Barry Potts - Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 – failure to ensure health and safety of others who may be affected by his acts or omissions contrary to Section 33(1) (a) Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

• Elliston Steady & Hawes (Building) Limited - Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 contrary to Section 33 (1) (a) of the Health and Safety At Work etc. Act 1974.

• Elliston Steady & Hawes (Building) Limited - Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 - contrary to Section 33 (1) (a) of the Health and Safety At Work etc. Act 1974.

Former Exeter City Council housing officer charged over alleged payments

Colin Gibbs, senior lawyer in Special Crime Division for the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“Having carefully considered all the available evidence I have decided there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Anthony Bodgin, for allegedly making and receiving unauthorised payments of over £700,000 whilst an employee of Exeter City Council.

“Mr Bodgin faces nine charges, including two counts of theft, four counts of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, two counts of misconduct in public office and one count of fraud in relation to the alleged payments made between October 2005 and January 2011.

“Four other individuals, not employed by Exeter City Council, have also been charged in connection with the allegations.

“Kevin Wingrave has been charged with four counts of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

“Les McGirl, Lyn McMayon and Garry Rawlings have each been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

“These decisions were taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and all five will appear before Exeter Magistrates Court on 2 July 2013.”

Michael Chudley jailed for murder of solicitor

Rachael Marshall, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, Wessex, said:

“This was a calmly premeditated attack and Michael Chudley was fully responsible for his actions at the time he shot James Ward.

“Michael Chudley – without any just reason - held Mr Ward personally responsible for unrelated civil proceedings which had been unsuccessful and so entered Mr Ward’s office armed with a sawn-off shotgun and fired it at close range. Mr Ward tragically died of his injuries three weeks later.

“We would like to thank all those who have supported the prosecution of this case, especially Mr Ward’s wife and his receptionist who had to relive the terrifying moments in court when giving evidence.

“We hope that this sentence will bring some comfort to Mr Ward’s wife, children, family and friends and our thoughts are with them at this time.”

Operation Elveden: Sun journalist Nick Parker and prison officer Lee Brockhouse to be charged

Gregor McGill, a senior lawyer with the Crown Prosecution Service, whose team handles CPS decision making and potential prosecutions in relation to the on-going phone hacking investigations and other related matters, 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’s 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 6 June 2013.

“Following a careful review of the evidence, we have concluded that Nick Parker, a journalist at The Sun newspaper, should be charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office.

“We have also concluded that Lee Brockhouse, a prison officer at HMP Swaleside, should be charged with one count of misconduct in a public office and one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

“It is alleged that on two occasions The Sun newspaper paid money to a public official in exchange for the unauthorised disclosure of information to Nick Parker relating to well-known individuals.

“It is also alleged that between 23 April 2007 and 27 October 2009, The Sun newspaper paid £1750 to prison officer Lee Brockhouse for the unauthorised disclosure of information to Nick Parker.

“Additionally, it is alleged that Lee Brockhouse provided similar information to the People newspaper, for which he was paid £900.

“It is alleged that information provided by Lee Brockhouse included that relating to the movement of prisoners, prison procedures and methods used by prisoners to smuggle items into prison.

“The CPS has also determined, having carefully reviewed all the evidence in a file relating to these allegations and concerning one journalist, received from the Metropolitan Police on 22 May 2013, that no further action should be taken in relation to allegations of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office against this suspect.

“Due to ongoing proceedings it would be inappropriate to say any more at this stage. At the conclusion of any related proceedings we will consider what more can be made public in relation to this decision.

“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.

"Accordingly, we have authorised the institution of proceedings against Nick Parker and Lee Brockhouse and both individuals will appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on 18 July 2013.

"May I remind all concerned that proceedings for criminal offences involving these two individuals will now be commenced 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:

• NICK PARKER, between 26 March and 3 April 2009, conspired together with a public official, namely a police officer, to commit misconduct in a public office

        Contrary to section 1(1) Criminal Law Act 1977

• NICK PARKER, between 2 and 7 December 2009, conspired together with a public official, namely a police officer, to commit misconduct in a public office

        Contrary to section 1(1) Criminal Law Act 1977

• Between 23 April 2007 and 27 October 2009, NICK PARKER and LEE BROCKHOUSE conspired together to commit misconduct in a public office

        Contrary to section 1(1) Criminal Law Act 1977

• Between 1 February 2009 and 3 June 2011, LEE BROCKHOUSE, whilst acting as a public officer, namely a prison officer at Her Majesty’s Prison, Swaleside, wilfully and without reasonable excuse or justification misconducted himself

        Contrary to common law.

 

Five men and one woman charged with child sexual exploitation offences

The Crown Prosecution Service in Yorkshire and Humberside has authorised South Yorkshire Police (on 4 June 2013) to charge five men and one woman with offences relating to child sexual exploitation.

Helen Gaunt, Senior Crown Prosecutor from the CPS Complex Casework Unit, said:

“I have authorised South Yorkshire Police to charge Lee Unwin, John McLachlan, Kareem Ahmed, Bashdar Hamadamin and a fifth man with various sexual offences. Lee Unwin will face one count of intentionally obtaining the sexual services of a child, John MacLachlan two counts. Kareen Ahmed will face one count of arranging or facilitating travel for the commission of a sexual offence, Bashdar Hamadamin will face one count of rape and a fifth man will face three counts of sexual assault.

“I have also authorised police to charge Amanda Spencer with 41 offences relating to the sexual exploitation of nine girls and young women aged between 12 and 20. The 41 offences date between 2006 and 2010 and include arranging or facilitating a child sexual offence, inciting or causing a child to become a prostitute, inciting or causing an adult to become a prostitute, and arranging or facilitating the prostitution of a child.

“These decisions were taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and the CPS Interim Guidelines on Prosecuting Cases of Child Sexual Abuse. We have determined that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that these charges are in the public interest.

“All will appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 18 June 2013.

“Lee Unwin, John McLachlan, Kareem Ahmed, Bashdar Hamdamin, a fifth man and Amanda Spencer have now been charged with criminal offences and have the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that nothing should be reported which could prejudice this trial.”