We prosecuted Stuart Hall because the evidence of the victims clearly established a pattern of behaviour that was unlawful and for which no innocent explanation could be offered.
His victimsdid not know each other and almost two decades separated the first and last assaults but almost all of the victims, including one who was only nine at thetime of the assault, provided strikingly similar accounts. Whether in public orprivate, Hall would first approach under friendly pretences and then bide histime until the victim was isolated. He can only be described as anopportunistic predator.
– Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West Nazir Afzal
Mr Afzal added his thanks to the victims who "had the bravery to come forward," adding: "This caseclearly shows that the victims of abuse will not be denied justice by thepassage of time and abusers will be held to account.”
Keir Starmer, who could have extended the term, said it had been "a huge privilege" to work in the role leading the CPS as he confirmed that he will step down as Director of Public Prosecutions.
It has been a huge privilege to have led the CPS for the past four and half years.
I have enjoyed my time very much and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on the important work of the CPS until my term of office ends.
– Keir Starmer QC
It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work with Keir.
Not just a formidable lawyer, he has brought sound instinct and humanity to his role, noticeably in the guidelines he has published.
He has led the CPS through a difficult time and leaves it as a more professional and more effective service than he found it.
The CPS is now, more than ever, a key partner in the criminal justice system.
In my view he has been one of the most successful directors of recent years.
Keir Starmer to quit as Director of Public Prosecutions
Keir Starmer QC Credit: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire
Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer is to step down from the role in October at the end of his five-year term of office, the Crown Prosecution Service announced today.
'It was a plan that went disastrously and tragically wrong'
CPS Crown Advocate Samantha Shallow has described the case of Mick and Mairead Philpott as "a plan that went disastrously and tragically wrong".
Mick and Mairead Philpott have been found guilty of the manslaughter of their six children in a fire at their house in Derby in May last year. Family friend Paul Mosley was also found guilty of their deaths.
In a statement, Ms Shallow said:
Today’s verdict shows that the children died as a result of the actions of Michael and Mairead Philpott and Paul Mosley when they set the fire.
It was a plan that went disastrously and tragically wrong.
This has been a challenging and harrowing case to prosecute.
Amid all the details of the defendants’ personal lives that have come out in court, it should not be forgotten that at the heart of this case were the deaths of six innocent children.
I extend the condolences of the whole prosecution team to the family and friends of the six children for their tragic loss.
'Insufficient evidence' Eric Joyce committed an offence
The Crown Prosecution Service has said there was "insufficient evidence" that Eric Joyce MP had committed an offence after he was arrested on suspicion of assault and ABH following an incident outside a bar in the House of Commons.
Although there appears to have been an incident on the evening in question, evidence obtained from witnesses contained multiple inconsistencies and there is insufficient evidence that Mr Joyce committed any offence.
On this basis, we have concluded there is insufficient evidence to support a realistic prospect of conviction and that no further action should be taken.
Malcolm McHaffie, deputy head of special crime for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), has released the following statement regarding two members of staff accused of submitting false taxi claims:
Following a complaint by the Crown Prosecution Service and a subsequent investigation by West Midlands Police into two members of CPS staff, I have carefully considered available evidence in relation to Lisa Joanne Burrows, a finance manager, and another member of staff, an administrative officer. Both are employed by CPS West Midlands.
I have now concluded that it is appropriate to charge both Burrows and the other individual with conspiracy to commit fraud.
The charges relate to an allegation that Burrows and the other member of staff, on or before 27 February 2013, conspired together to commit fraud by false representation by submitting to the Crown Prosecution Service false claims for witness care taxi services to the value of at least £1,000,000 when no such services had been supplied ...
I have tonight authorised West Midlands Police to charge these two individuals, and Lisa Burrows has now been charged. The other individual has not yet been charged.
Lisa Burrows will appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on February 28."
CPS staff accused of fake taxi claims totalling £1m
A Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) finance manager has been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud over false taxi claims totalling at least £1 million, the CPS said tonight.
Lisa Burrows and another member of staff, who has not yet been named or charged, work for CPS West Midlands.
The allegations concern false claims for witness care taxi services to the value of at least £1,000,000 when no such services had been supplied, the CPS said in a statement.
Damien Green: Even Dickens wrote about court delays
In an interview with Daybreak, Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice, Damian Green has admitted that the courts system needs to be brought into the 21st Century.
He said: "Dickens was writing books about delays in the court system 150 years ago."
Today it was announced that a new body is being set up to create a faster, more efficient criminal justice system, bringing an end to the "blame culture" between the courts, the police and the CPS.
Greater use of technology such as video links will put an end to an "unacceptable" level of paperwork and delays
Aim for the criminal justice system will be a single case file that progresses electronically right through the system from police to court and then prison or probation
That would end the need to constantly re-key information
'Justice delayed is justice denied', warns Minister
The new board will help draw up new reforms, to be unveiled in the spring, to a criminal justice system that, according to Damian Green, has seen little progress in the last 160 years. In a speech later today Mr Green will add:
The majority of magistrates court trials don't go ahead on the day they are planned to. If every day only 44% of trains left the stations, or 44% of planned hospital operations took place there would be a national uproar. Yet every day this happens in the magistrates' courts.
Justice delayed is justice denied. What we should all want to see is justice delivered. Bringing cases to trial more quickly, and then resolving them swiftly is absolutely essential for victims and for witnesses.
