Legal News Round-Up – August 2024

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

After a busy summer following the “riots”, things seem to be settling down somewhat – although with prison spaces at a premium the creaking criminal justice system is coming under increasing scrutiny.

Still, we have put together the latest of our monthly round-up of articles we didn’t get around to for you delectation.

Law Firm Director Rebuked by SRA Following Drink-Driving Conviction

John Hayward – a director from a Liverpool-based firm has been rebuked by the SRA following a drink-driving convction.

Hayward was sented to a 27-month driving ban, reduced to 27-weeks following participation in a course and was also fined £1057 plus costs.

The conviction came after Hayward had been driving to a train station to pick up his wife. His vehicle flagged up to a police patrol as being without a valid MOT and on being pulled over, Hayward failed a breath test.

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

Operation “Early Dawn” Revived to Manage Prison Capacity Following Riot Arrests.

The Law Gazette also reported this month that following a speight of arrests for a variety of offences – from public and violent disorder to incitement for comments made on Social media – following the riots, operation “Early Dawn” had been revived.

Operation “Early Dawn” is a mechanism in which prison spaces are monitored so that convictions can be passed when accommodation is available.

As the Gazette reports,

“Under the scheme, alleged offenders ‘are summoned to a magistrates’ court only when it is confirmed that a cell in the prison estate is ready for them, should they be remanded into custody’. They are held in a police station until they are summoned to court.”

With new Prime Minister Kier Starmer keen to make an example of those convicted of disorder following the riots, he went on record recently to comment on just how bad the situation is in the criminal justice system.

Talk had already been of allowing certain prisoners to leave prison early, and the riots have undoubtedly placed even more strain on a creaking prison system.

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

New Knifecrime Video to be shown to Schoolchildren in bid to stem increasing “knife culture”.

The BBC website reported last month that a new short film is to be shown to schoolchildren in a bid to use real life stories detailing the impact on lives of knife crime.

The film, Knives Claim Lives, by award-winning film maker Sam Teale aims to steer young children away from carrying knives by showing the impact on the lives of real-life victims from Kirklees, West Yorkshire.

Mr. Teale told the BBC;

“A few years ago I met with some incredible people who have been impacted by knife crime. They shared their stories and I left the room feeling totally in awe of their strength.

“Hopefully, it can make children think a little bit differently when it comes to carrying knives.”

To read the full article, click here.

“Carnival of Carnage”

Many of the mainstream media outlets picked up on the trouble at this years Notting Hill Carnival – with Sky News reporting on 5 stabbings and 230 arrests on the final day of the carnival.

The annual carnival is a two-day celebration of Carribean culture, but over recent times, the fantastic spectacle has been spoilt by a minority of people intent on causing trouble.

One of the stabbings this year was of a 32 year old mother who had been attending with her young children.

The arrests were made up of a variety of offences, from carrying an offensive weapon, to assault on emergency workers, sexual assault and possession of drugs.

To read the full article on the Sky News website, click here.

And Finally – Oasis Ticket Hunters Targetted by Scammers

We couldn’t NOT mention the reunion of the Manchester-band, but in the furore some might say that the rush for tickets has left fans open to being ripped off.

The Mirror reported that desperate fans have been targetted by scammers who were trying to sell “pre-sale” codes, despite codes having not been released.

Sites also popped up with tickets “available” for sums as much as £900 (with face value prices of £80-150).

Even official ticket sites and hotels have come underfire for hiking prices as the bid to cash in on the overwhelming demand proved too tempting for some.

You can read more about the scammers here.

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