CPS News Brief

Clarification of Times story: CPS views on police bail

Contrary to a report in today’s Times newspaper, the CPS does not find the proposal to require a senior police officer to review police bail at 28-days unworkable. This was in reference to requiring all investigations to be referred to Magistrates at the 28-day stage, due to the sheer volume of cases police anticipate would need to be considered by the court.

It should also be noted that since our initial response to the government consultation, which was published by the Home Affairs Committee today, there have been significant further discussions with the Ministry of Justice, Home Office and the Attorney General, which means our position has moved on and that document would not be a wholly accurate representation of our current position.

We await the outcome and details of the government’s final position.

Brustholm Ziamani jailed over plot to behead British soldier

At the Old Bailey today, Friday 20 March 2015, Brustholm Ziamani was jailed, having been convicted on 19 February 2015 of one count of preparation of terrorist acts, contrary to section 5(1) Terrorism Act 2006. Brustholm Ziamani was aged 18 at the time of the offence.

The court heard how Brustholm Ziamani had a settled plan to decapitate a member of the armed forces, or a government official, and display the severed head for photography. When arrested, he was found in possession of the equipment required for the planned attack and had conducted research on the locations of army cadet bases in south east London.

Deb Walsh, Deputy Head of Counter Terrorism at the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“Brustholm Ziamani is a highly dangerous individual and this country is significantly safer as a result of this conviction.

“This case highlights how violent and extreme views on a page can become credible threats to the lives and safety of British citizens.

“This successful conviction is testament to the work of our dedicated counter-terrorism prosecutors who, with police colleagues, are determined to play their part in the fight against terrorism.”

Brustholm Ziamani jailed over plot to behead British soldier

At the Old Bailey today, Friday 20 March 2015, Brustholm Ziamani was jailed, having been convicted on 19 February 2015 of one count of preparation of terrorist acts, contrary to section 5(1) Terrorism Act 2006. Brustholm Ziamani was aged 18 at the time of the offence.

The court heard how Brustholm Ziamani had a settled plan to decapitate a member of the armed forces, or a government official, and display the severed head for photography. When arrested, he was found in possession of the equipment required for the planned attack and had conducted research on the locations of army cadet bases in south east London.

Deb Walsh, Deputy Head of Counter Terrorism at the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“Brustholm Ziamani is a highly dangerous individual and this country is significantly safer as a result of this conviction.

“This case highlights how violent and extreme views on a page can become credible threats to the lives and safety of British citizens.

“This successful conviction is testament to the work of our dedicated counter-terrorism prosecutors who, with police colleagues, are determined to play their part in the fight against terrorism.”

Clarification: prosecution of serious sexual abuse

Last weekend, an article in The Sunday Times (£) (Tories warn police A-list raids ‘stink of unfairness’, 15 March 2015), suggested that the CPS was "changing its rules over the prosecution of high profile sex abuse suspects" and attempting to "upgrade the quality of legal advice".

The CPS is not “changing the rules” for the prosecution of serious sexual abuse suspects, high profile or otherwise.

From September, advocates selected to prosecute rape and serious sexual offences will undergo an initial probationary period. We are also considering improved training for these advocates.

These steps are simply part of our continuous improvement approach to the quality of our casework and unconnected to the outcomes in the cases referred to. We are satisfied that the prosecutions referred to were properly brought.