Posts Categorized: News
Supplying drugs or possessing with intent to supply
These are the more serious drug-related offences and can result in extremely lengthy custodial sentences. It is illegal to supply a controlled drug – including all the familiar ones, such as heroin, cocaine and amphetamine. This also includes called Class B and C drugs such as steroids, khat and ketamine. Some of these could be… Read more »
Lorna Wincote Stars on BBC Breakfast
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-45257322 A video has been posted on social media showing a 14-year-old girl being hit in the face by a male police officer. The teenager and a 52-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and two officers needed hospital treatment. Lorna Wincote, a criminal defence lawyer from our Manchester office, starred on… Read more »
What happens if I am a witness to an incident?
You might be called to court to give evidence at the defendant’s trial if you provide a witness statement for the prosecution or defence after the incident. The Witness Service provide practical and emotional help or assistance for any witnesses who are attending court. They can tell you about the court process, show you the… Read more »
High Court strikes down Crown Court fee cut
The High Court has reversed a cut to criminal legal aid crown court fees, on the basis that the consultation that preceeded the implementation of the fee cut was “so unfair that it was unlawful”. Tuckers’ Partner, Jim Meyer, was involved in the design of the implementation of the original crown court litigator fee scheme… Read more »
Entrapment – What is it?
Entrapment describes the situation where a person is enticed, incited or encouraged to commit an offence that they would not have otherwise committed. How is this relevant? Undercover police officers are often used in drug related offences. Officers will become familiar with local drug users and suppliers, with a view to providing evidence for supply-related… Read more »
New Sentencing Guideline Announced for Manslaughter Offences
The Sentencing Council are responsible for setting sentencing guidelines in England and Wales, and have just announced new guidelines for manslaughter offences, which will cover the following.. Unlawful act manslaughter – a common law offence Gross negligence manslaughter – a common law offence Manslaughter by reason of loss of control – a statutory partial defence… Read more »
Consent – The Many Complications
A person consents if he/she agrees out of choice and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice. This can be confused when it comes to drunk consent. Drunk consent still counts as consent, until the person loses their capacity to choose (due to alcohol). Consent is frequently an issue in rape cases, leaving… Read more »
The Death Penalty and Extradition
The Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, caused controversy this week indicating that that he would not seek an assurance that the death penalty would not be imposed in the cases of Alexander Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh, if they were extradited to the US. Since the death penalty was abolished in the UK, there has been… Read more »
Sir Cliff Richard & the law of Privacy
One of the big news stories of the last week or so has been the case in which the BBC was ordered to pay damages to Sir Cliff Richard for breach of privacy. The background was the BBC filming a search of Sir Cliff’s property in July 2014 by the South Yorkshire police. He was… Read more »
The HSE (Health & Safety Executive)
What is the HSE and what do they do? The HSE (Health & Safety Executive) is the national body in responsible for health and safety in workplaces. Their aim is to prevent death, injury and ill-health in workplaces, offering free guidance and advice, inspections and investigations if any issues arise. They focus on the most… Read more »