CPS News Brief

Operation Elveden charging statement

Gregor McGill, a senior lawyer at the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

"The CPS has authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Alan Hagan and to summons a journalist for an offence of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

“We have also decided there is insufficient evidence to charge another individual with conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

“Both will appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 10 July 2014.

"May I remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against them will now be commenced and of their right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

 

Details of the full charge:

Alan Hagan and a journalist, between 18.1.08 and 29.8.10 conspired together to commit misconduct in public office, contrary to section 1 (1) Criminal Law Act 1977.

Rolf Harris convicted

Jenny Hopkins, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS in London, said:

“Rolf Harris used his status and position as a world famous children’s entertainer to sexually assault young girls over a period spanning 18 years.

“The victims in this case have suffered in silence for many years and have only recently found the courage to come forward. I would like to pay tribute to the bravery they displayed in coming to court and giving evidence. That bravery and determination has seen Rolf Harris brought to justice and held to account.

“Each victim, unknown to the others, described a similar pattern of behaviour; that of a man acting without fear of the consequences.

“The prosecution of sexual offences is often difficult and complex, perhaps even more so when the allegations are from some years ago. We will continue to consider cases and wherever there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest, we will work with police and victims to build strong cases which can be put before a court.

“I hope today’s verdict provides other victims with the courage and confidence to come forward no matter who is alleged to have carried out the abuse and when.”

Patrick Rock charged

On the authority of the CPS, the National Crime Agency has today charged Patrick Rock, 63, a former Whitehall adviser, with three offences of making indecent images of children and one offence of possession of 59 indecent images of children. He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 3 July 2014.

The charges are:

Three counts of making an indecent photograph of a child contrary to section 1(a) of the Protection of Children Act 1978, between 31 July 2013 and 31 August 2013

One count of possession of indecent photographs of children contrary to Section 160 Criminal Justice Act 1988, between 31 July 2013 and 31 August 2013

It is alleged that the images meet the definition of Level C, as assessed by NCA CEOP officers and CPS lawyers.

Judith Reed, a senior lawyer with the CPS Organised Crime Division, said:

"The decision to prosecute has been taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. We have determined that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that a prosecution is in the public interest.

"May I remind all concerned that Mr Rock has a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

CPS statement on hacking trial

Greg McGill, a senior lawyer for the Crown Prosecution Service said:

“This case was not about whether phone hacking took place or whether public officials were paid for information; there are a significant number of recent convictions which show that both did happen.

“This has been a lengthy and complex trial which was required to explore a culture of invading privacy. Despite a number of applications by the defence to have the case thrown out the Judge agreed that the evidence was sufficient for consideration by the jury.

“The jury has found that Andy Coulson, former editor of a national newspaper, conspired with others to hack phones. Others who have admitted their role in this illegal practice - Greg Miskiw, Neville Thurlbeck, James Weatherup, Glenn Mulcaire and Dan Evans – all now face sentencing for phone hacking.

“We respect the verdicts and will inform the court on Monday of our decision on whether to retry the outstanding counts.

“As closely linked criminal proceedings are underway, I have nothing further to add at this time.”

Susan and Christopher Edwards convicted of murder

A Nottinghamshire couple have been convicted of murder following the discovery of their parents’ bodies under a patio in October last year.

Susan and Christopher Edwards were convicted following a two-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court for the murder of William and Patricia Wycherley, Susan Edwards’s parents.

In May 1998, the defendants visited the Wycherleys at their home in Mansfield, shot them and buried them in the garden in the early hours of the morning. Both were shot with a gun similar to one owned by Christopher Edwards.

In the 15 years that followed, Mr and Mrs Edwards continued to withdraw funds, including benefits, pensions and the proceeds of the sale of their house, from a joint bank account in Mrs Edwards and Mrs Wycherley’s names.

Dona Parry-Jones, a Senior Crown Prosecutor at CPS East Midlands, said:

“This was a cold, calculated murder, motivated by greed. The two defendants travelled to Mansfield, murdered the elderly couple and took their life savings to relieve their own financial troubles.

“Having killed their parents, and buried them in their own back garden the defendants concocted lies about the couple’s deaths to neighbours and relatives to enable them to continue spending their pensions, replying to cards and letters on their behalf and even selling their house. All in all they stole nearly £250,000.

“The tragedy of this case is that Mr and Mrs Wycherley were murdered by those closest to them, dying un-mourned and denied any dignity in death.”

The Wycherleys’ deaths were uncovered when Christopher Edwards disclosed to a family member that they were dead on the phone from France, where they had fled and run out of money. They were brought back to the UK and charged with murder.

Susan Edwards offered a partial defence of manslaughter on the eve of the trial, on the basis that she had witnessed her mother shooting her father and had shot her after an argument and asked her husband to bury the bodies a week later. However, scientific evidence showed that this story could not have been true and the couple were convicted of murder.

Paul Gadd charged with eight offences

Baljit Ubhey, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London, said: "We have carefully considered the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police Service in relation to Paul Gadd, also known as Gary Glitter. He was arrested on 28 October 2012 over allegations of sexual offences and the police have been providing material to the CPS since July 2013, with the most recent material submitted in March 2014.

"Having completed our review, we have concluded, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Gadd to be charged with eight offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956. These relate to two female complainants aged between 12 and 14 at the time of the alleged offending between 1977 and 1980.

"Mr Gadd will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 19 June 2014.

"We have also decided that no further action should be taken in relation to five allegations made by two further complainants as we determined there was insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.

"May I remind all concerned that Mr Gadd has a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Charges

The charges relating to the first complainant, who was aged 12 or 13 at the time of the alleged offending, are:

• Two counts of indecent assault between 31 January and 31 May 1977
• One count of administering a drug or other thing in order to facilitate sexual intercourse between 31 January and 31 May 1977
• One count of sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13 between 31 January and 31 May 1977
• Two counts of indecent assault between 31 May and 31 December 1977

The charges relating to the second complainant, who was aged 13 or 14 at the time of the alleged offending, are:

• Two counts of indecent assault between 1 October 1979 and 31 December 1980

Man faces charge of misconduct in public office

Gregor McGill, a senior lawyer at the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

"The CPS has authorised the Metropolitan Police to summons Paul Randall for an offence of misconduct in public office.

“We have also decided, in relation to separate allegations, there is insufficient evidence to charge another individual with conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office. 

“Paul Randall will appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 25 June 2014.

“On 22 April 2014 the CPS determined that there was insufficient evidence to charge a third individual with misconduct in public office.

"May I remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against Paul Randall will now be commenced and of his right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

Details of the full charge:

On 25 October 2006, Paul Randall, a public officer acting as such, without reasonable excuse or justification, wilfully misconducted himself to such a degree as to amount to an abuse of the public’s trust in that office.

Man charged over deaths of workers at Hampshire fruit farm

Piers Arnold, specialist lawyer for the CPS Special Crime Division, said:

“I have carefully reviewed all the evidence gathered during the joint investigation by Hampshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive into the tragic deaths of Scott Cain, 23, and Ashley Clarke, 24, who died working on a farm in Hampshire on 18 February 2013. 

“The two men, who worked for Blackmoor Estate Limited, died while retrieving apples from a long-term storage container in which fruit is kept at very low oxygen levels.

“I have concluded there is sufficient evidence to charge Andrew Stocker, former manager of the fruit packing and storage operation at Blackmoor Estate Limited, with two counts of gross negligence manslaughter.

“I have also concluded there is sufficient evidence to charge the company, Blackmoor Estate Limited, with an offence under section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

"These decisions were taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

"I extend my sympathies to the families of Mr Cain and Mr Clarke.

“Andrew Stocker and Blackmoor Estate Limited will appear before Aldershot Magistrates' Court on 26 June 2014.

"May I remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against Andrew Stocker and Blackmoor Estate Limited will now be commenced. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."