CPS News Brief

Mark Lancaster sentenced for voyeurism and trafficking offences in student scholarship scam

Mark Lancaster was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court today. He had previously pleaded guilty to one count of voyeurism and one count of trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation.

Sarah Jennings, CPS London reviewing lawyer, said:

“Lancaster set up this elaborate scam with the sole purpose of sexually exploiting female students who found themselves in a vulnerable financial situation. This was a particularly nasty and degrading experience for the woman involved, which robbed her of valued privacy.

“He used a website in an attempt to lure women into meeting him with the promise of a scholarship to pay their education costs. As part of the fake scholarship process Lancaster met up with the victim in this case on the pretence of interviewing her for the scholarship. He then told her that she would need to have sex with him as part of the interview process and filmed her without her knowledge. This scholarship never existed and Lancaster preyed on the victim’s ambition to financially support herself through her studies.

“The overwhelming evidence in this case left Lancaster no choice but to plead guilty. CPS London is committed to tackling sexual exploitation, no matter how or where it is committed.”

Ashley Foster convicted of the manslaughter of church organist Alan Greaves

Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS Yorkshire and Humberside, Gavin Hotchkiss, said:

“Alan Greaves was killed in a brutal, senseless and random attack which rocked the local community.

“The prosecution case has focused throughout on proving that both Jonathan Bowling and Ashley Foster caused the death of Mr Greaves. Bowling admitted his guilt when faced with the overwhelming evidence. Foster claimed that whilst he was there he played no part in the attack, however today a South Yorkshire jury has found him guilty of manslaughter.

“The prosecution case was that both Bowling and Foster took part in the attack and we placed together pieces of evidence that contradicted Foster’s account for the jury to consider.

“Whilst this case in itself has shocked many to the core, what stands in contrast is the absolute dignity and forgiveness demonstrated by Mrs Greaves during what must have been one of the most distressing times in her life.

“I extend my sympathies to the friends and family of Mr Greaves and hope that the convictions today will be of some small comfort to them.”

Carl Mills convicted of murder

Nicola Rees, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Wales, said:

“Carl Mills was responsible for starting a devastating fire that had distressing and tragic consequences.

“He did so knowing full well who was in the house at the time – and the evidence of his jealous and controlling nature makes it all too clear what his intentions were.

“Once the fire had taken hold, neighbours and friends of Kim, Kayleigh and Kimberley Buckley did whatever they could to try and assist at the scene.

“In contrast, Mills himself displayed a callous, almost casual disregard for the wellbeing of those trapped inside the house. His suspicious behaviour at the scene led Gwent Police to quickly apprehend him and their subsequent thorough investigation meant that we were able to build a very strong prosecution case.

“Despite his unwillingness to take responsibility for his actions, today Mills has been made to face up to what he did. But whilst we may welcome today’s verdict, we have to acknowledge that it does not and cannot bring back Kim, Kayleigh or Kimberley. Nor does it take away the hurt and suffering of those close to them. Our thoughts are with them.”

Gross negligence manslaughter charge over balcony fall death of two-year-old

Mark Auty, Specialist Prosecutor in the Crown Prosecution Service Special Crime Division, said:

“I have carefully reviewed all evidence in relation to the death of a two-year-old girl in Sheffield who tragically fell from the fourth floor of an apartment block where she lived in June 2012.

“Ryaheen Banimuslem was playing with her older brother in a communal garden in the housing development, when she fell through an area of the fence surrounding the fourth floor, which was missing a glass panel.

“I am satisfied that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Robert Warner, who was contracted to carry out maintenance work in the apartments, for gross negligence manslaughter.

“This decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. “I extend my sympathies to the family of Ryaheen Banimuslem.

“Robert Warner has been summonsed to appear at Sheffield Magistrates Court on 13 August 2013. He now faces criminal charges and has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that nothing should be reported which could prejudice this trial.”

Former teacher at St Ambrose College charged with 47 sexual offences against children

The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Alan Morris, aged 63, with 47 sexual offences against pupils at St Ambrose College, Hale Barns, from the 1970s to 1990s. Alan Morris was a teacher at the school at the time.

John Dilworth, Head of the CPS North West Complex Casework Unit, said:

"Following investigations by Greater Manchester Police into allegations that Alan Morris, a former teacher at St Ambrose School sexually assaulted pupils at the school between 1972 and 1991, I have reviewed all the evidence that they have gathered and have authorised the police to charge him with 41 offences of indecent assault on a male, one charge of outraging public decency and five charges of inciting gross indecency with a child. These charges relate to 29 former pupils of the school who were aged between 11 and 17 at the time.

"This decision is made in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that it is in the public interest to prosecute this case. With criminal proceedings now underway it is very important that nothing is placed in the public domain that could prejudice a future trial. For these reasons, we will not be commenting further about the case at this time."

Alan Morris has been bailed to appear at City of Manchester Magistrates Court on 25 July.

Notes to editors:

The authorised charges are:

• 41 x indecent assault on a male - Section 15(1) Sexual Offences Act 1956
• 1 x outraging public decency – Common law
• 5 x inciting gross indecency with a child - Section 1(1) Indecency with Children Act 1960