CPS News Brief

Sir Norman Bettison and alleged theft/handling of platinum

Review of Derbyshire Police charging recommendation, conducted on behalf of South Yorkshire Police

An investigation was undertaken by Derbyshire Police in 2013, at the request of South Yorkshire Police (SYP), into the alleged theft and handling of a quantity of platinum by Sir Norman Bettison in 1987. This has been widely publicised. Derbyshire Police recommended to SYP in July 2013 that no further action be taken and subsequently SYP asked the Crown Prosecution Service to confirm this recommendation was correct.

We have completed a fresh review of the evidence and decided that there is insufficient evidence to prosecute. An essential legal element of the alleged offences is that the prosecution must be able to prove that the goods in question were in fact stolen. There was insufficient evidence to establish this and as such a prosecution for theft or handling stolen goods is not possible. Should any further evidence come to light we will, of course, consider it.

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

CPS statement following acquittal of Nigel Evans

The complainants in this case provided clear accounts of the alleged offending and it was right that all of the evidence was put before a jury. That evidence could only be fully explored during a trial and the jury has decided, after hearing all of the evidence, that the prosecution has not proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. We respect this decision.

Two charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office and conspiracy to commit forgery

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

“The CPS has today authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge both Kenneth Hall and Karen Hall, who are husband and wife, with one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office and two counts of conspiracy to commit forgery.

“Both individuals will appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 8 May 2014.

“The CPS has decided that it is not in the public interest to prosecute one other individual for conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office. They have been informed they face no further action.

“May I remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against Kenneth and Karen Hall will now be commenced and that both have 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.”

 

The full charges will be:

(1) Kenneth HALL and Karen HALL nee SCATES, between the 29 June 2002 and the 6 October 2004, conspired together and with others, to commit misconduct in  public office,

Contrary to section 1(1) Criminal Law Act 1977.

 

(2) Kenneth HALL and Karen HALL nee SCATES, between the 6 October 2004 and 6 July 2006 conspired together, to commit forgery contrary to section 1 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981, by making false instruments, namely documents purporting to be official Broadmoor hospital records, intending to induce News Group Newspapers Limited and others, to accept them as genuine, and do some act to their own or any other person’s prejudice,

Contrary to section 1(1) Criminal Law Act 1977.

 

(3) Kenneth HALL and Karen HALL nee SCATES, between the 6 October 2004 and 6 July 2006 conspired together, to commit forgery contrary to section 1 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981, by making false instruments, namely documents purporting to be official Broadmoor hospital records, intending to induce Mirror Group Newspapers and others, to accept them as genuine, and do some act to their own or any other person’s prejudice,

Contrary to section 1(1) Criminal Law Act 1977.

Diplomatic Protection Group officer charged under Obscene Publications Act

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

“We have been asked to review a file of evidence submitted by the Metropolitan Police Service’s Department of Professional Standards concerning alleged offences under the Obscene Publications Act.

“Following a review of the evidence, we have concluded that James Addison, a police constable in the Diplomatic Protection Group, should be charged with 11 offences. It is alleged that between 17 February 2013 and 6 June 2013, PC Addison distributed moving images via his mobile telephone, contrary to section 2(1) of the Obscene Publications Act 1959.

“The decision to prosecute was 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 required in the public interest.

“PC Addison will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 23 April 2014.

“May I remind all concerned that PC Addison has a right to a fair trial. It is very important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings. For these reasons, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further."

Two prisoners sentenced for threatening to kill prison officer

Feroz Khan and Fuad Awale were today sentenced at the Old Bailey for making threats to kill against a prison officer at HMP Full Sutton on 26 May 2013. Feroz Khan was also sentenced for one count of grievous bodily harm (section 20, Offences Against the Person Act) against the officer and was jailed for a total of six years. Fuad Awale was also jailed for six years. Both sentences will run consecutively to sentences currently being served.

Mari Reid, from the Crown Prosecution Service Counter Terrorism Division, said:

“The incident at HMP Full Sutton in May last year was carried out in the wake of the savage murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby.

“Feroz Khan was the instigator and leading figure of this threatening duo. As individuals, they had been jailed as dangerous murderers and working together they were shown to be brazen operators who made a number of demands including the immediate release of Abu Qatada and Roshonara Choudhry.

“The prisoner officer was subjected to a terrifying ordeal and was struck so hard that his right cheek bone was fractured. Today’s convictions show our determination to protect prison officers from such violence and bring the full force of the law against perpetrators.”

DPP puts victims at the heart of new standards for all prosecutors

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders, has today set new standards for the work of prosecutors, publishing what she expects of those prosecuting crime for the CPS. The new Casework Quality Standards apply to all cases prosecuted by the CPS and specifically address what victims can expect from those who prosecute on their behalf.

The CPS prosecutes over 800,000 criminal cases a year and the Casework Quality Standards set out the benchmarks of quality expected by the DPP in every major aspect of CPS work.

The four new standards also place greater emphasis on the quality of casework bringing them up-to-date for the CPS in 2014 and replacing the previous 12 Core Quality Standards. The new standards are:

• Victims, witnesses and communities;
• Legal decision-making;
• Casework preparation; and
• Presentation in court.

The standards take effect from today, 7 April 2014, and the public has been urged to have their say during the public consultation period which runs for the next three months. In addition to this, separate quality standards in respect of Complaints Handling and Community Engagement will be published soon.

Announcing the new standards today, DPP Alison Saunders said:

“The work we do delivering justice for the public we serve is a vital part of a functioning democracy and the public should know what to expect from us, particularly when it comes to the quality of our casework and our work with victims.

“The best service we can give victims is to prosecute their cases professionally while keeping them informed and supporting them through the sometimes difficult process of a trial. That is why, alongside decision-making, case preparation and presentation in court, I have identified victims, witnesses and communities as one of the four focus areas.

“The public depends on us to make the right decisions when we prosecute and I urge them to respond to this consultation because these are measures against which they can hold us to account.”

Notes to editors:

The public consultation on the new casework standards has been published on the CPS website and can be found here: http://www.cps.gov.uk/consultations /CQS_consultation_index.html