New details have emerged about forensic testing deficiencies at two of the country’s leading laboratories. Police are currently investigating the circumstances, and a number of people have been arrested.
With regards to GBH/Wounding – In legal shorthand we often refer to section 18 or 20 offences, these refer to specific offences under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
A formal statutory system has now been put in place to regulate reduction in sentence for a defendant who aids the authorities, although the ‘text’ regime is still around.
The case of Tommy Robinson, or to give him his real name, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has brought the issue of “contempt of court” into the public eye, but what is it all about?
When it comes to assaulting emergency workers there has, up to now, only been a specific charge for assaulting a police officer. This is a summary only offence which carries a maximum of 6 months imprisonment.
There is however an option to charge an offender with offences such as actual or grievous bodily harm if the injury to the officer is more serious.
The Sentencing Council has published a new guideline for how those guilty of child cruelty offences should be sentenced.
