Issue 85  13th April 2019

Sentencing Offenders with Mental Health Conditions Consultation

The Council has developed a draft guideline for courts to use when sentencing offenders with mental health conditions, neurological impairments or development disorders. The aim of the guideline is to consolidate and explain information which will assist courts to pass appropriate sentences when dealing with offenders who have either a mental health condition or disorder, neurological impairment or developmental disorder, and to promote consistency of approach in sentencing.

The consultation closes on 9 July 2019.

CPS Review of Fees

As a result of this, the CPS has indicated that it is prepared to hold a review of its fees and a meeting is due to be held next Monday (15 April 2019) when the terms of the review and other matters will be discussed.

The preliminary indications are that any review will be done with the intention of being completed by the end of September 2019. Any negotiations will include representatives from the Bar Council and the Bar Council Remuneration Committee, the CBA, YBC and the Circuits. There will be Silk and junior involvement. The Bar will be kept informed of any developments. There will be no hidden agendas. We will keep you updated as to progress.

Assange Arrested

Assange shouted “this is unlawful” as police officers struggled to drag him from the Ecuadorian embassy on Thursday morning, the court heard. He had tried to “barge” past the officers back to his private room when they attempted to introduce themselves.

Assange, who had pleaded not guilty, now faces up to 12 months in prison in relation to the bail charge and will be later sentenced at Southwark crown court at an unspecified date.

Separately, Assange is due to appear in court via video link in May at Westminster magistrates court in relation to the US extradition charge of conspiring with Chelsea Manning to break into a classified government computer and disclose sensitive documents in 2010.

'Jack Shepherd: Speedboat killer jailed after fleeing UK'

Jack Shepherd fled before he was sentenced to six years for the manslaughter of Charlotte Brown, who died in the crash on the River Thames. He returned to the UK on Wednesday night after 10 months on the run.

Shepherd, 31, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to breaching bail and absconding and was sent to prison to begin his six-and-a-half-year sentence.

‘UK citizens who go to foreign terror hotspots could face 10 years in jail’

British citizens who go to live in foreign terror hotspots could face up to 10 years in prison under new laws that come into force on Friday. The Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 creates a criminal offence of entering or remaining in a “designated area” overseas.

The act allows Home Secretary Sajid Javid to designate an area, subject to parliamentary approval. In order to use the power, he would need to be satisfied that it is necessary to restrict UK nationals and residents from travelling to or remaining in the area in order to protect the public from a risk of terrorism.