Legal News Round-Up – July 2024

What else made the headlines in the month of July?…

As summer finally seems to be making an appearance – well, for the next few days at least – we look back at a busy month for legal justice.

With a new Government ushered in at the start of the month, here’s what else made the legal news this past month…

King’s Speech – What It Means for Criminal Justice

As is customary with every new government, the King made his first ever speech following the appointment of his government.

In his speech, Crime and Justice featured fairly prominently in the agenda, which please Law Society President Nick Emmerson;

“We hope the government will work proactively to protect and secure access to justice and make our justice system a source of pride again,”

The main pledges made in the speech related to looking at tackling knife crime, violence and abuse of women and girls and the exploitation of children.

To do this though requires investment and funding – something which the government pledged to do – with a long-overdue look at the Legal Aid system promised too.

To read more about the King’s speech on the Law Society website, click here.

Puppy-dog Eyes a Problem in Court?

The Law Gazette website this month looked at the use of “comfort dogs” in the US and whether their presence has an affect on the outcome delivered by a jury.

Originally beginning around 20 years ago, Facility Dogs (they’re official term) were introduced to courts to help calm down young children who had to give evidence.

However, there are now various breeds of dog used in some US courts both in the courts and in the corridors trying to calm people who are waiting to give evidence – or indeed, for a verdict.

As the article delves into the growing practise – it highlights some of the potential issues the use of Facility Dogs may raise.

Indeed, the mechanics of law and concerns which may be raised, could lead to the whole thing becoming littered with complexity.

For example, will people be vetted (pardon the pun) for their preferred breed of dog – both on the jury and those in court. Will people be allowed to bring their own dog?

You can read the full article on the Law Gazette website by clicking here.

Stalking Victims Failed By Justice System.

The BBC website this month reports that stalking victims are being failed by the Justice System – according to Claire Waxman, London’s victim’s commissioner.

Ms. Waxman revealed that 45% of stalking victims dropped their claim, whilst 41% saw no further action carried out by the police – highlighting her concerns.

“It’s a near total failure to tackle stalking and, when we don’t tackle it, we’re actually leaving victims at risk and enabling stalkers to continue.”

The report goes on to claim that confusion surrounding the Anti-Stalking Laws were a clear factor in the issue.

“Confusing legislation is hampering the police’s ability to build strong cases, enabling stalkers to act with impunity and leaving victims at risk.”

Stalking is one of the crimes that has been on the increase in recent times, particularly with Social Media making access to our personal lives so open – giving more people access to our habits and even our whereabouts.

The article goes on to look at examples of those who have faced stalking issues – and what the police and government hope to do to tackle the issue.

To read the full article, click here.

Lucy Letby’s Enemies Inside

In the Daily Mirror this month, they have run an exclusive article in an interview with a former prison officer who has given some insight into what life inside might be like for convicted child killer, Lucy Letby.

Letby, who was sentenced to her 15th whole life term earlier this month, faces the rest of her life behind bars alongside some of the most violent women prisoners in the UK.

Vanessa Frake – former head of security at Woomword Scrubs, who oversaw the security of child killers Beverly Allitt and Rose West, expects Letby to be in for a rough ride.

“You’ve got the likes of serial killer Joanna Dennehy behind bars who murders for fun. She’d have no hesitation in trying to have a pop at Lucy Letby, or others for that matter.”

She continued;

“Women who have had children, who are carers and nurturers, will see the likes of Letby as lower than low. You can bet they know she is in their jail – they may not know where, but they will have read papers and seen her on TV, and they will know exactly what she looks like. It will be the staff’s job to protect her from that.”

To read the full article on the Mirror website, click here.

And Finally – “Slapping Therapist” found guilty of Manslaughter.

Hongchi Xiao – an “alternative healer” has been found guilty of causing the death of a 71 year old Danielle Carr-Gomm in Lewes, Sussex with his “slapping therapy”.

Danielle was attending the workshop run by Mr. Xiao in a bid to seek an alternative to her insulin injections for her type 1 Diabetes.

The healer failed to get medical help for Mrs Carr-Gomm who was ‘delirious’ and ‘frothing at the mouth’ before she died, a chef at the workshop told jurors.

This is also the second manslaughter charge for the “healer” – having been convicted over the death of a SIX year old boy in Sydney, Australia.

You can read the full extent of this incredible story here.

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