CPS News Brief

CPS statement - Iceland Foods case

Baljit Ubhey, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London, said:

“This case has been reviewed by a senior lawyer and it has been decided that a prosecution is not required in the public interest. While the decision to charge was taken by the Metropolitan Police Service, a subsequent review of the case by the CPS did not give due weight to the public interest factors tending against prosecution.

“In reconsidering this case, we have had particular regard to the seriousness of the alleged offence and the level of harm done. Both of these factors weigh against a prosecution. Additionally, further representations received today from Iceland Foods have affected our assessment of the public interest in prosecuting.

“We hope this demonstrates our willingness to review decisions and take appropriate and swift action when necessary. The Crown Prosecution Service is committed to bringing the right charges to court when - and only when - it is proper to do so.

“We have notified the legal representatives of the defendants that the proceedings will be discontinued. This decision has been taken on public interest grounds alone. There was sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction when the Metropolitan Police decided to charge the defendants and that remains the case.”

Pair sentenced for human trafficking offences

Two people who admitted trafficking two women into Wales for the purposes of prostitution have been sentenced at Newport Crown Court.

At an earlier hearing, Angelica Bacan and Ladislav Kurina each pleaded guilty to two counts of intentionally arranging or facilitating entry into the UK of a person with a view to their sexual exploitation and two counts of arranging travel within the UK of a person with a view to their sexual exploitation. Kurina also pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited weapon. At today’s hearing, Bacan was jailed for 15 months and Kurina for two years and seven months.

The pair admitted facilitating the arrival of two Czech women into the UK in September 2013. The women were transported to various addresses in the South East of England, before being brought to a flat in Cardiff. Over time their living conditions deteriorated, with Bacan and Kurina demanding more and more money from them.

Eventually, they were able to seek support from Safer Wales, a charity which offers support to victims of abuse, ultimately leading to the involvement of South Wales Police.

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

“The defendants are guilty of deplorable offences, seeking to profit from the misery and sexual exploitation of their vulnerable victims.

“Human trafficking is modern day slavery and is totally unacceptable in a civilised society. Those who seek to demean the value of life by depriving others of the most basic of human rights should be in no doubt that we will do everything in our power to bring them to justice.

“We have strong local partnerships in place to help identify and prosecute cases where human trafficking is a factor and to ensure that victims are given the support they need. We will continue to work closely with our partners in the criminal justice system to make sure these crimes are prosecuted robustly.”

Kim-Ann Williamson of the Crown Prosecution Service Wales is also Chair of South Wales Anti Human Trafficking Group. She added:

“Human Trafficking is very real. It’s happening in our communities and on our doorstep. This case highlighted the effectiveness of local people working closely together to help victims. We will continue to strive to make Wales hostile to human trafficking and bring offenders to justice.”

Background information

Alison Saunders, Director of Public Prosecutions, recently held a meeting with criminal justice partners, experts and interested parties to identify how the criminal justice system can strengthen the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking.

Following the discussions, the CPS will shortly be publishing an action plan that will set out key actions to tackle the issue and improve the CJS response to human trafficking offences.

Fred Talbot charged with sexual offences

The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Fred Talbot with eight offences of indecent assault against three boys under 16 years of age, one offence of indecent against a male aged 17 years and one offence of buggery against a 19-year-old male. The alleged offences took place between 1969 and 1983.

Mr Talbot has been bailed to appear before Manchester Magistrates' Court on 11 February 2014.

Nazir Afzal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said:

“We have carefully considered all the evidence gathered by Greater Manchester Police in relation to allegations from five complainants that Fred Talbot sexually assaulted them between the 1960s and 1980s. Having completed our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Talbot to be charged with 10 sexual offences relating to five complainants, three of whom were under 16 years of age at the time. The Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Fred Talbot with these offences.

"This decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and our guidance for prosecutors on sexual offences. May I remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Talbot have now commenced. He has a right to a fair trial and it is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could prejudice these proceedings. For these reasons, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time.”

The charges are:

• Nine charges of indecent assault relating to four complainants alleged to have been committed between 1969 and 1977.
• One charge of buggery relating to a fifth complainant alleged to have been committed in 1983.