Anglonautes > English vocabulary > Justice / Law

Habeas corpus is the legal concept that a prisoner has a right to challenge the basis of confinement
-- to demand that the government produce a valid reason for detention.
The concept was developed in England during the late Middle Ages,
and takes its name from the first two Latin words of the writ filed for a prisoner's release
(a phrase translated variously as "You have the body'' and "Produce the body.'')

Habeas corpus formed a part of the American legal system from colonial times,
and it was the only specific right incorporated in the Constitution.
Article 1, Section 9 states, "The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended,
unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it."
The suspension of habeas corpus allows an agency to hold a person without a charge.
Habeas corpus has been suspended a number of times,
most notably by Abraham Lincoln during the early days of the Civil War.

Habeas corpus became a subject of renewed controversy after the Sept. 11th attacks.
When the Bush administration created a system of military tribunals for dealing with terrorism subjects in 2002,
it asserted that "illegal non-combatants'' fell outside of the Geneva Conventions and were not entitled to habeas corpus.
That view was rejected by the Supreme Court in 2006.
Congress, then controlled by Republicans, responded by passing the Military Commissions Act of 2006,
which stripped the federal courts of jurisdiction to hear habeas corpus petitions
filed by detainees challenging the bases for their confinement.
Instead, such challenges were to be governed by the 2005 Detainee Treatment Act,
which allowed detainees to appeal decisions of the military tribunals to the District of Columbia Circuit,
but only under circumscribed procedures,
including a presumption that the evidence
before the military tribunal was accurate and complete.

In a 5 to 4 decision issued on June 12, 2008,
the Supreme Court ruled that approach to be unconstitutional,
declaring that foreign terrorism suspects held at the Guantánamo Bay naval base in Cuba
have the right to challenge their detention there in federal courts.

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/h/habeas_corpus/index.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4329839.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4329839.stm

Habeas Corpus Act 1679
http://www.constitution.org/eng/habcorpa.htm
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRgagging.htm

legislation
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/index.htm
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/about_legislation

UK Parliament > The House of Lords > The Law Lords
The House of Lords is the final court of appeal on points of law
for the whole of the United Kingdom in civil cases;
and for England, Wales and Northern Ireland in criminal cases.
This work is carried out by the Law Lords.
http://www.parliament.uk/judicial_work/judicial_work.cfm
http://www.parliament.uk/about_lords/the_law_lords.cfm
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200607/ldjudgmt/jd070613/skeini-1.htm

rule
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2249056,00.html

landmark ruling
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2249155,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2249056,00.html

unanimous ruling
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2249056,00.html

uphold
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,542-2399768,00.html

New laws on body tissue ban secret DNA testing 2006
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/story/0,,1861652,00.html

bill

bill outlawing the possession of images of extreme sexual violence, necrophilia and bestiality
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1861750,00.html

Law Lords >
Evidence that may have been obtained by torture
cannot be used against terror suspects in British courts 2005
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,15935,1662107,00.html

Lords ruling > divorce 2006
http://money.guardian.co.uk/news_/story/0,,1785197,00.html

The Law Commission
http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/index.htm
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1947728,00.html

Common Law
http://dictionary.law.com/definition2.asp?selected=248
http://socserv2.socsci.mcmaster.ca/~econ/ugcm/3ll3/hale/common
http://digital.library.upenn.edu/webbin/gutbook/lookup?num=2449
http://www.pixi.com/~kingdom/common.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/state/monarchs_leaders/henryii_law_01.shtml

the new double jeopardy laws >
The 800-year-old double jeopardy law,
which forbade someone being re-tried for a crime of which they have been acquitted,
was scrapped in April 2005
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1639957,00.html

double jeopardy killer
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6630525.ece
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/killer-jailed-for-life-years-after-being-cleared-1730708.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1889795,00.html

rape laws
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2218310,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1670045,00.html

rape cases
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1671788,00.html

rape convictions
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/jun/10/postcode-lottery-rape-convictions
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2131348,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2576049,00.html

The Law Society
http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/home.law

lawlessness

lawful killing
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/menezes-jury-rejects-police-claim-of-lawful-killing-1063667.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/02/menezes-uksecurity

unlawful / illegal
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/may/21/police-surveillance-ruling-andrew-wood
http://www.guardian.co.uk/military/story/0,,2035714,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2569020,00.html

unlawful killing
http://education.guardian.co.uk/schooltrips/story/0,,1802040,00.html
http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,1464621,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1781347,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1476228,00.html

be unlawfully killed
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2239258,00.html

flout the law

law and order

lawsuit

lawyer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawyer
http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2010/feb/07/anthony-julius-diana-dina-antisemitism
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2429424,00.html

drug law / law on cannabis
http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/Story/0,2763,1129549,00.html

anti-spam law

law on prostitution / sex laws
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,11026,1113883,00.html

Sex Offenders Act 1997
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1997/1997051.htm

libel > landmark ruling 2006
http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1920159,00.html

libel
http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,14173,1688072,00.html

libel laws
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/apr/15/simon-singh-libel-medical-review

libel claim
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/apr/13/madeleinemccann.medialaw

libel action
http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1837579,00.html

libel case
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/13/law-press-and-publishing-elton-john-libel-guardian

Britain's ancient laws of blasphemy and blasphemous libel
http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,2763,1329823,00.html

libel damages 2009
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/press/
libel-damages-paid-by-daily-star-over-rhys-jones-killer-claims-1519507.html

reforms to the laws on working in collieries 1865
http://www.guardian.co.uk/fromthearchive/story/0,12269,1683694,00.html

the Statute Books
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A695441

Acts of the UK Parliament and Explanatory Notes
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts.htm#acts

start judicial review proceedings
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1672074,00.html

offence of incitement to religious hatred

retain

extend

amend

repeal

be above the law

be found in breach of consumer law

attempt to outlaw incitement to religious hatred

legal

legal history
http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/story/0,,1836998,00.html

legal bill
http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1694590,00.html

legal battle
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/
parents-lose-fight-to-keep-alive-chronically-ill-son-baby-ot-1651307.html

launch / take / fight / threaten legal action

sue / take legal action
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2429424,00.html
http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1930398,00.html
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1878658,00.html

legal limbo
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6734029.ece

claim

libel claim

libel appeal
http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1694421,00.html

defamation lawsuit
http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1835682,00.html

defamatory
http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1694590,00.html

rule

law-abiding citizen

allow

embezzlement

hoodwink one's boss out of £4.3m

receive subpoena

bill / Bill

violence

casual violence

binge drinking

drug abuse

sexual abuse

sexual offence

sex attack on

indecent assault

common assault
http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,5500,1309052,00.html

custody
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/almost-3000-children-now-held-in-custody-811779.html

bail

bail
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1480132,00.html

be released on bail
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2235392,00.html

be freed on bail
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/jun/17/uksecurity.ukcrime1

remain free on bail

post bail

skip bail / dodge trials
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1439362,00.html

case

divorce case
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2304731,00.html

multimillion-pound divorce cases
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1948307,00.html

alimony case

criminal cases

petty criminal
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1823797,00.html

criminal offence
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6418450.ece

royal courts of justice
http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/mar/19/sean-hodgson-miscarriage-justice-ruling

The Crown Court / Crown Courts
http://www.bbc.co.uk/crime/fighters/crowncourt.shtml
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/aug/15/riots-magistrates-sentencing

The Magistrates' Court / magistrates courts
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/aug/15/riots-magistrates-sentencing
http://www.bbc.co.uk/crime/fighters/magistratescourt.shtml

Children's Court
http://www.bbc.co.uk/crime/fighters/childrenshearing.shtml

at the Old Bailey
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/history/the-old-bailey/
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/LONold.htm
http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/our_services/law_order/central_criminal_court.htm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/oct/02/new-father-knife-crime-ghana
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2022031,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1959542,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1840590,00.html

Old Bailey > in the public gallery
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/george-not-guilty-so-who-did-kill-jill-dando-883238.html

Magistrates' Court

Magistrates' courts are a key part of the criminal justice system
and 95% of cases are completed there.
In addition magistrates' courts deal with many civil cases
e.g. family matters, liquor licensing and betting and gaming.
For over 600 years Justices of the Peace have held courts in order to punish law breakers,
resolve local disputes and keep order in the community.
http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/magistrates/index.htm

Bow Street Police Station / Bow Street Magistrates' Court / Bow Street
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1821123,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1820861,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1818355,00.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/5179270.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/5181834.stm
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2270745,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2095-1714810,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,59-1304884,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,59-1299355,00.html
http://timesnews.typepad.com/news/2006/07/the_closing_of_.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bow_Street_Magistrates'_Court
http://www.met.police.uk/history/bow_street.htm

Her Majesty's Courts Service
http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/index.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/crime/fighters/courtservice.shtml

Her Majesty's Courts Service > Glossary
http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/cms/infoabout.htm

Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal,
which sits in London at the Royal Courts of Justice,
consists of two divisions:

The Civil Division, which hears appeals from:

The three divisions of the High Court (Chancery, Queen's Bench and Family Division)
From the County Courts across England and Wales,
From certain Tribunals such as the Employment Appeal Tribunal, the Immigration Appeal Tribunal,
the Lands Tribunal and the Social Security Commissioners.

The Criminal Division, which hears appeals from the Crown Court.

The Court of Appeal is the highest court within the Supreme Court of Judicature,
which also includes the High Court and Crown Court.

In the House of Lords, as compared with the Court of Appeal,
there are only 12 Lords of Appeal in Ordinary ("law lords"),
who usually sit in panels of five judges.

The Court of Appeal normally sits in up to 12 courts in the Royal Courts of Justice.
http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/cms/courtofappeal.htm

Court of Appeal
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/feb/26/torture-ruling-passages-mi5-restored
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2010/feb/26/binyam-mohamed-torture
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/26/binyam-mohamed-court-ruling
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/debbie-purdy-weve-got-our-lives-back-1765339.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/article5949666.ece
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/innocent-prisoner-set-free-after-27-years-1647547.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/lyrical-terrorist-wins-appeal-848869.html
http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/cms/1235.htm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/jilldando/story/0,,2211325,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/immigration/story/0,,1837420,00.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/crime/fighters/courtofappeal.shtml
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1672015,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/jilldando/story/0,7369,756415,00.html

appeal judges
http://www.guardian.co.uk/jilldando/story/0,,2211325,00.html

High court judges = appeal court judges
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article5934566.ece
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/mar/18/prisoner-hodgson-murder-quashed-miscarriage
http://www.guardian.co.uk/prisons/story/0,,2139021,00.html

high court ruling
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jul/20/google-defamation-high-court-ruling
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/mar/19/barclay-theguardian

High Court > Mr Justice Sullivan
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,,1808325,00.html

Hight Court > overrule
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/16/binyam-mohamed-torture-evidence-miliband
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/oct/16/binyam-mohamed-ruling-comment

Britain's highest court > the House of Lords > rulings
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/lords/story/0,,1782562,00.html

be served with a high court order
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/feb/29/military.law

the high court's family division
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2239525,00.html

court artist's impression of...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/jun/12/ben-kinsella-murder-life-sentence

The Supreme Court

is the final court of appeal in the UK for civil cases.
It hears appeals in criminal cases from England,
Wales and Northern Ireland. It hears cases of the greatest public
or constitutional importance affecting the whole population.

http://www.supremecourt.gov.uk/
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/10/05/world/AP-EU-Britain-Supreme-Court.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/oct/20/prenup-test-case-supreme-court
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/mar/22/heiress-prenup-battle-supreme-court

court

court proceedings

criminal court

family courts
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/politics/story/0,,1795171,00.html

court martial
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1385154.ece
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1385291.ece
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2012963,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,1881805,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/military/story/0,,1877135,00.html

face a court martial
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1238711,00.html

at St Albans crown court
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1507324,00.html

court battle against

criminal cases

investigation

reinvestigation
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-2003909,00.html

prosecution
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/05/saudi-prince-abdulaziz-killed-servant-court-hears
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/nov/17/husband-strangled-wife-during-nightmare

allege
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/05/saudi-prince-abdulaziz-killed-servant-court-hears

prosecution case

Crown Prosecution Service CPS
http://www.cps.gov.uk/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/17/binyam-mohamed-witness-b
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/dec/10/assisted-suicide-daniel-james-cps
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2240354,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,,2009668,00.html

Director of public prosecutions DPP
The DPP is responsible for determining any charges
and prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales.
http://www.cps.gov.uk/about/dpp.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2010/sep/20/dpp-apologises-woman-courts-rape-trial
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1869060,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1640032,00.html

crackdown
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1869060,00.html

crackdown

prosecute
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/17/binyam-mohamed-witness-b
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/5613204/
Convicted-killer-Peter-Tobin-murdered-Dinah-McNicol-18-in-1991.html

prosecutor

prosecuting lawyer
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1740933,00.html

interviewing victims of crimes and other witnesses before trial >
assessing the strength of a rape complainant's evidence in advance
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1640032,00.html

the prosecution claim that

conviction rate for rape
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1640032,00.html

jealousy
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1894523,00.html

admission of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2038575,00.html

on the grounds of provocation or diminished responsibility

give the ruling of the court

ruling
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/13/law-elton-john-marina-hyde

trial

murder trial
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article3185486.ece
http://www.guardian.co.uk/soham/0,14010,1073385,00.html

manslaughter trial
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jul/19/liquid-cocaine-manslaughter-smuggling-trial

Shannon Matthews kidnapping trial / Karen Matthews's trial at Leeds Crown Court
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/07/shannon-matthews-kidnap-trial
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/shannon-matthews-kidnapping-trial

Britain's first double jeopardy trial 2006
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1870109,00.html

at trial

TV camera trial
http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,14173,1293475,00.html

retrial
http://www.guardian.co.uk/jilldando/story/0,,2211325,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1840590,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1748302,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1263292,00.html

at a retrial at the Old Bailey
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1840590,00.html

stand trial

be held without trial
http://www.guardian.co.uk/prisons/story/0,7369,1334933,00.html

in the dock

stand in the witness box

take the stand

hearing
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jul/19/liquid-cocaine-manslaughter-smuggling-trial

kangaroo court hearing

at the hearing

High court ruling
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4754308.stm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1670702,00.html

ruling
http://society.guardian.co.uk/health/news/0,8363,1597887,00.html

lose one's high court battle for

custody dispute
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2010207,00.html

exhibit number AJG3

corporate fraud case

landmark case
http://money.guardian.co.uk/news_/story/0,1456,1475926,00.html

criminal record

settle

settlement

divorce settlement
http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/story/0,,1836998,00.html

settled
http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,14173,1688449,00.html

will battle
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1260557,00.html

malicious intent

the law of murder > murder charge / killing cases >
an end to the mandatory life sentence for murder
http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/murder.htm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1671835,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1948427,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,542-1948284,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1671425,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1947728,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1947982,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1670390,00.html

Criminal Justice Act 2003
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1803442,00.html
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/20030044.htm

Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1994/Ukpga_19940033_en_1.htm

two counts of murder

10 charges of raping six women and
three counts of causing actual bodily harm to...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1507324,00.html

four counts of intent to commit buggery
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1507324,00.html

read the charges against the defendent

police > be charged with...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Northern_Ireland/Story/0,2763,1476703,00.html

be charged with the murder of...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jan/22/vincent-tabak-charged-murder-joanna-yeates

be charged with attempted murder of...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/apr/03/man-charged-chloe-west-stabbing

be charged with neglect
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/may/21/ukcrime2
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article3978391.ece
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article3708843.ece

be charged with seven counts of child molestation / child abuse

be charged with criminal impersonation

be charged with wildlife cruelty
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1256617,00.html

be charged with conspiracy to commit facilitation
and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice

be charged with 21 counts of manslaughter

be charged with 16 offences,
including soliciting to murder and possession of a terrorist document
http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,12780,1330878,00.html

be charged with four counts of incitement to racial hatred
http://www.guardian.co.uk/race/story/0,11374,1453480,00.html

be charged with phone hacking
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2306347,00.html

be charged with her/his kidnapping and false imprisonment
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/sep/05/ukcrime

manslaughter
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jul/19/liquid-cocaine-manslaughter-smuggling-trial
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/apr/09/rachel-baker-guilty-manslaughter
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/apr/04/ukcrime
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1840590,00.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manslaughter_in_English_law
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1948427,00.html

corporate manslaughter
http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/section5/chapter_b.html

murder
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1948427,00.html

crime
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/0,2759,339240,00.html

Nottingham / 'crime capital'
http://society.guardian.co.uk/localgovt/story/0,,1781327,00.html

crime and punishment
http://society.guardian.co.uk/crimeandpunishment/0,8145,430910,00.html

death penalty
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/feb/21/suffolkmurders.ukcrime4
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/cabinetpapers/themes/death-penalty.htm

death penalty > hanging
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/dec/30/hanratty-family-murder-case-review
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2002/may/11/ukcrime.nickhopkins
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/1962/apr/05/ukcrime
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/1962/feb/19/ukcrime

Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/cabinetpapers/themes/death-penalty.htm
http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/acts/murder-abolition-of-death-penalty-act-1965
http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/bills/murder-abolition-of-death-penalty-bill

white-collar crime

corporate crime

criminal mischief

deny
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/mar/12/ukcrime

deny the murder

conspiracy to commit murder

admit conspiracy to pervert the course of justice

firearms charges

aggravated pimping

court

adjourn

perjury
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/13/jean-charles-de-menezes-police-verdict
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/libdems/story/0,,1881106,00.html

deception (FA)
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/libdems/story/0,,1881106,00.html

pervert the course of justice
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/feb/08/ali-dizaei-guilty-metropolitan-politce

conduct one's own defence

waive one's right to a preliminary hearing

plead diminished responsibility

plead guilty to four counts of manslaughter with diminished responsibility
http://www.guardian.co.uk/gun/Story/0,,2001317,00.html

plead guilty to inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article5728707.ece

plead not guilty to assault / to an assault charge

plead not guilty to two counts of assisting an offender
and one of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice

plead guilty
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1959754,00.html

plead guilty to -ing
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/18/rachel-nickell-robert-napper-murder-guilty
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1896753,00.html

plead guilty to abduction and incitement to gross indecency

plead guilty to five sex attacks on

admit
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/supermarket-worker-admits-murdering-colleague-1710171.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/19/police-errors-rachel-nickell-murder

plead for leniency

trial

stand trial

have a case to answer

fair trial

in the dock

defamation action

libel law

libel case

writ

issue a writ against ... for defaming ...
http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,14173,1408105,00.html

clear one's name

contempt / contempt of court / contempt laws
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article3525430.ece
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2122738,00.html

Home Office
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,,1784302,00.html

Home Secretary
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1803442,00.html

Norwich crown court

confess FA

false and involuntary confession

Parole Board
http://www.paroleboard.gov.uk/
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2156510,00.html

parole FA
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/ronnie-biggs-parole-bid-rejected-1727108.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,542-1934236,00.html

be released on parole
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jul/08/philip-lawrence-killer-release

get life without parole
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jun/24/levi-bellfield-life-without-parole

The Attorney General, the Government’s senior law officer.
The Attorney General, assisted by the Solicitor General, is the chief legal adviser to the Government.
They are responsible for ensuring the rule of law is upheld.
http://www.lslo.gov.uk/goldsmith.htm
http://www.cjsonline.gov.uk/the_cjs/departments_of_the_cjs/office_of_the_attorney_general/index.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/baefiles/story/0,,2098723,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/baefiles/story/0,,2098232,00.html
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/funding/story/0,,2025794,00.html
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,,1877296,00.html
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/politics/story/0,,1769383,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1439362,00.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2857347.stm

master of the rolls - the country's top civil judge
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/iraq/story/0,,1831095,00.html
http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/documents/downloads/Master%20of%20the%20Rolls.pdf

the lord chancellor - the highest-ranking official in the British legal system
http://www.guardian.co.uk/guantanamo/story/0,,1871628,00.html

counsel

coroner
http://www.coroner.org.uk/

royal coroner

coroner > inquest
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/may/09/ukcrime.ukguns

coroner > open verdict
http://education.guardian.co.uk/pupilbehaviour/story/0,,2061853,00.html

Westminster coroner's court
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/may/09/ukcrime.ukguns

coroner's courts
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jan/23/jon-mcgregor-coroners-court

coroner > Sir Michael Wright
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/02/profile-sir-michael-wright-de-menezes

inquest
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/02/profile-sir-michael-wright-de-menezes

inquest jury

Jean Charles de Menezes Q&A:
coroner's questions for inquest jury december 2008
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article5333426.ece

coroner > rule
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2239258,00.html
http://society.guardian.co.uk/briefing/story/0,,2032657,00.html

coroner > rule out
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/02/menezes-police-inquest

coroner > record an open verdict on...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article5330085.ece
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/12/de-menezes-verdict
http://society.guardian.co.uk/mentalhealth/story/0,,913400,00.html

open verdict
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/02/menezes-uksecurity
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2178526,00.html

misadventure
http://www.guardian.co.uk/bse/article/0,,778775,00.html

death by misadventure
http://www.guardian.co.uk/military/story/0,11816,1051369,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lawrence/Story/0,2763,208343,00.html

sollicitor

judge
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2568733,00.html

plaintiff

represent oneself
http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1835682,00.html

defendant
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/oct/09/glasgowairporttrial1

appellant

respondent

victim

his / her alleged victim

alleged
http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,,1864668,00.html

the judge, Mr Justice X

high court judge

magistrates

proceedings
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1740933,00.html

throw out a libel claim by
http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,14173,1476848,00.html

Queen's Counsel / "silk" / Q.C. / QC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/crime/law/jargonbuster_q.shtml
http://www.dca.gov.uk/judicial/silk01fr.htm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1997824,00.html
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,11026,946382,00.html
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/openup/story/0,,1067480,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1570183,00.html

client

the Bar
http://www.barcouncil.org.uk/

barrister
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrister
http://www.barristermagazine.com/
http://www.barristerbooks.com/

barristers for the prosecution and defence

the four Inns of court
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inns_of_Court

Lincoln's Inn
http://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln's_Inn
http://www.online-law.co.uk/bar/lincolns/

Inner Temple
http://www.innertemple.org.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inner_Temple
http://www.online-law.co.uk/bar/inner_temple/

Middle Temple
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Temple
http://www.online-law.co.uk/bar/middle_temple/
http://www.middletemple.org.uk/

Gray's Inn
http://www.graysinn.org.uk/
http://www.online-law.co.uk/bar/grays_inn/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray's_Inn

solicitor
http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/solicitors
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2011/apr/04/solicitors-number-england-wales-ethnicity
http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/home.law

account of events

evidence

trial > give evidence
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/nov/17/stephen-lawrence-best-friend-evidence

identification evidence

video identification parade

give evidence for the crown

testify

testify in person

phone-tap evidence

forensic evidence
http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/mick_fealty/2007/12/omaghs_last_victim_justice.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1841044,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1694242,00.html

Forensic Science Service FSS
http://www.guardian.co.uk/jilldando/story/0,,2211325,00.html

postmortem

pathologist

insufficient evidence

ballistic evidence

computer-derived evidence
http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/insideit/story/0,13270,1140813,00.html

expert medical evidence in child abuse cases
http://www.guardian.co.uk/child/story/0,7369,1241541,00.html

testimony

eyewitness testimony

evidence
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6477861.ece
http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1701713,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1693836,00.html

lack of evidence

supporting evidence

wiretap evidence 2008
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,,2253243,00.html

intercept evidence / phonetap evidence / wiretap evidence 2006
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,,1877296,00.html

Deoxyribonucleic Acid DNA
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/mar/18/prisoner-hodgson-murder-quashed-miscarriage
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/feb/22/ukcrime5
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2242051,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2197526,00.html

DNA detection
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/mar/18/prisoner-hodgson-murder-quashed-miscarriage
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/mar/12/dna-teresa-de-simone-hodgson

alibi
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6725375.ece

alibi provider

accomplice

community penalties
http://society.guardian.co.uk/youthjustice/story/0,11982,1486277,00.html

be given a 12-month community rehabilitation order
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1257307,00.html

antisocial behaviour orders Asbos
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1937030,00.html
http://society.guardian.co.uk/crimeandpunishment/story/0,8150,1338057,00.html
http://society.guardian.co.uk/youthjustice/story/0,,1322801,00.html

murderer
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=517448&in_page_id=1770&ct=5
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/dark-side-to-ordinary-guy-who-killed-model-785800.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2038575,00.html

aiding and abetting

stalker
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1258084,00.html

appear in court / appear before magistrates
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/may/28/ukcrime
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/mar/04/four-charged-shopkeepers-murder-huddersfield
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jun/11/pete-doherty-arrested
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1881325,00.html

at Preston crown court

accused (adj / n) / be accused of...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/may/28/ukcrime
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/may/27/bradford-sex-workers-stephen-griffiths
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/mar/04/four-charged-shopkeepers-murder-huddersfield
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article3185486.ece

accused
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1948911,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1649014,00.html

co-accused
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/16/glasgowairporttrial-uksecurity

allegations

'innocent until proven guilty'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/may/30/bradford-murders-fleet-street-gory-details-justice

cause grievous bodily harm to

closing speech

complete one's closing speech

juror

jury
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article5386048.ece

members of the jury

retire to consider its verdicts / send jurors out
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/jury-to-be-sent-out-in-canoe-wifes-case-873977.html

find ... guilty of ...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article5386048.ece

retire

send out

consider
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/02/menezes-police-inquest

consider gross negligence manslaughter

return a gross negligence manslaughter conviction

conclude

deliberations

written verdict direction issued to the jury
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/02/menezes-uksecurity

verdict
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,28009-2448314,00.html

reach a verdict

fail to reach a verdict

deliver its verdict

return a verdict
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/02/menezes-police-inquest

verdict of lawful killing / unlawful killing
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/02/menezes-police-inquest

open verdict

not guilty
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/george-not-guilty-so-who-did-kill-jill-dando-883238.html

cleared
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/16/glasgowairporttrial-uksecurity

be cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1705020,00.html

be cleared of murder
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1802278,00.html

be cleared
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3083060.ece
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article1464389.ece

be cleared of ...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2485830/Jill-Dando-murder-Miscarriages-of-justice.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1745935,00.html

acquit

acquittal
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/george-not-guilty-so-who-did-kill-jill-dando-883238.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,29389-2447721,00.html

conviction

Jeremy Bamber conviction
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/video/2010/feb/21/jeremy-bamber-new-photographic-evidence

unjust conviction

unsafe
http://www.guardian.co.uk/jilldando/story/0,,2211325,00.html

"these convictions are unsafe"

be convicted of...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/19/saudi-prince-servant-murder-guilty
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article3476379.ece

be convicted of GN / -ing
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article5386048.ece

be convicted of falsely imprisoning ...
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/
boy-george-convicted-of-falsely-imprisoning-male-escort-1053367.html

be convicted of manslaughter
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1741453,00.html

wrongly convicted of ...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/mar/12/dna-teresa-de-simone-hodgson

guilt
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2002/may/11/ukcrime.nickhopkins

guilty
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/19/saudi-prince-servant-murder-guilty
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/jealous-partner-guilty-of-strangling-his-lover-1730748.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/16/glasgowairporttrial-uksecurity
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article3476379.ece
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2241975,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article2839705.ece
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1958314,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1841044,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/fromthearchive/story/0,12269,1430615,00.html

be found guilty of...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/4931543/Harry-Potter-actor-Rob-Knox-murder-Karl-Bishop-guilty.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article3476379.ece
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2248537,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1733522,00.html

be found guilty of murder, rape, false imprisonment and kidnap
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/nov/25/ukcrime1

guilty of murder
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/feb/21/steve.wright.guilty
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1672113,00.html

guilty of manslaughter

wicked >
"You have been convicted of a truly evil murder
- one of the most appalling crimes that any of us can remember -
and you will rightly be regarded as wicked"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1396174,00.html

be on remand
www.innocentuntilprovenguilty.com

be remanded
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2227630,00.html

be remanded in custody
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/19/saudi-prince-servant-murder-guilty
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jun/11/pete-doherty-arrested
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/jun/09/grimsby-murder-pregnant-woman-court
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/apr/09/ukcrime2
http://www.guardian.co.uk/suffolkmurders/story/0,,1978082,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/suffolkmurders/story/0,,1977700,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,,1864668,00.html

application for bail
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/jun/09/grimsby-murder-pregnant-woman-court

seek bail
http://www.guardian.co.uk/suffolkmurders/story/0,,1978082,00.html

sentencing

await sentencing
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jan/04/stephen-lawrence-murder-sentencing

sentence
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/may/22/straw-defends-baby-p-mother-sentence
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-2570029,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2568733,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2569018,00.html

sentence
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jan/04/dobson-norris-murder-stephen-lawrence

judge
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jan/04/dobson-norris-murder-stephen-lawrence

Stephen Lawrence murder case: the judge's sentencing remarks - full text
Sentencing remarks of Mr Justice Treacy following the conviction of
Gary Dobson and David Norris of the murder of Stephen Lawrence January 2012
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/interactive/2012/jan/04/stephen-lawrence-sentencing-remarks-text

The maximum sentence for attempted murder is life 2010
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/nov/03/stephen-timms-attack-sentencing

indeterminate sentence for public protection IPP
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/oct/31/prisoners-left-in-limbo-parole
http://www.guardian.co.uk/prisons/story/0,,2139021,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/prisons/story/0,,2138457,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article2174014.ece

sentences > rapes
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,29389-2216046,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,564-2110853,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,200-2127194,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,200-2127168,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,542-2126815,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,200-2110390,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,20029-2106194,00.html

open-ended sentence
http://www.guardian.co.uk/prisons/story/0,,2053350,00.html

sentence ... to five years probation for

lenient
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2091-1880070,00.html

leniency
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,542-2126815,00.html

mercy
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1763267,00.html

serial robber
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1933424,00.html

innocence
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,11069-2515387,00.html

judgment
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2569018,00.html

a stay on the judgment

penalty

Number of prisoners given life doubles in 10 years 2006
http://society.guardian.co.uk/crimeandpunishment/story/0,,1799778,00.html

receive a five-year sentence

life sentence
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1924080,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1701789,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/child/story/0,7369,1457102,00.html

"whole life" term
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/whole-life-term-for-bus-stop-stalker-787419.html

life term
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/dec/21/crossbow-killer-pleads-guilty-murdering-women
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1899880,00.html

life jail term
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6486261.ece

be jailed for life
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/mar/25/night-stalker-jailed-life
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/20/saudi-prince-jailed-for-life
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/oct/02/new-father-knife-crime-ghana
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/may/07/scottish-paedophile-ring-guilty-child-abuse
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/mar/05/ukcrime2
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/mar/04/nhs.ukcrime
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1959542,00.html

be jailed indefinitely
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/may/22/straw-defends-baby-p-mother-sentence
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1927989,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1757518,00.html

be jailed without bond on charges of
criminal possession of a weapon and drug possession

be jailed for two years for dishonesty
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/libdems/story/0,,1881106,00.html

be handed a two-year conditional discharge for the attack

finite sentence
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/mar/01/yorkshire-ripper-bid-prison-release

be given a life sentence
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/jun/12/ben-kinsella-murder-life-sentence
http://www.guardian.co.uk/gun/Story/0,,1837557,00.html

be sentenced and appear via videolink from prison
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/nov/03/stephen-timms-attack-sentencing

be sentenced to life
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/jun/12/ben-kinsella-murder-life-sentence

be sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 40 years
http://www.guardian.co.uk/gun/Story/0,,1837838,00.html

be sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 24 years
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/nov/25/ukcrime2

be given a full life sentence
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1776446,00.html

be convicted and sentenced to life
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1803442,00.html

be jailed for life
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2008/02/22/
chef-mark-dixie-jailed-for-life-for-murdering-model-sally-anne-bowman-89520-20327983/
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/sexobsessed-attacker-guilty-of-models-murder-785767.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/feb/22/wright.sentenced
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2038575,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/race/story/0,,1780631,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1691326,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1296894,00.html

get life
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/22/nbowman422.xml
http://www.guardian.co.uk/race/story/0,,1780841,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1717707,00.html

be locked up for life
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2008/02/22/
suffolk-strangler-steve-wright-locked-up-for-life-for-ipswich-prostitute-murders-89520-20327902/

get 10 life sentences
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1507324,00.html

serve two life sentences

lifer

whole lifers
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1803486,00.html

be sentenced to life without parole / get life without parole
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jun/24/levi-bellfield-life-without-parole

serve a minimum of 40 years
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1803300,00.html

get 30 years
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1901510,00.html

serve
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/jun/12/ben-kinsella-murder-life-sentence
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article5353891.ece

serve at least / a minimum of 18 years
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2038575,00.html

serve at least 40 years in prison for killing...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/soham/story/0,14010,1580810,00.html

serve five years for...

custodial sentence
http://www.guardian.co.uk/criminaljustice/story/0,13733,1550584,00.html

be jailed for sex tourism

send away

be convicted

be sentenced to eleven years in prison

be sentenced to 15 months' hard labour for fraud

be sentenced to 5 months in prison and 5 months of home confinement
for lying about stock sales

be sentenced to 18 months in prison, two months more than the harshest recommended penalty,
for obstructing probes into suspected kickbacks

get seven years for

be granted parole

be fined £750

receive a suspended four-month sentence for

be given a suspended sentence
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/oct/20/ukcrime3

community service

community service volunteer scheme

send down

be reprieved

appeal / appeal

turn down

uphold conviction of...

overturn murder conviction / quash the murder conviction
http://www.guardian.co.uk/child/story/0,7369,1457161,00.html

quash
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/apr/29/sean-hodgson-release-prison
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1989111,00.html
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,,1808325,00.html

quashed
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/mar/18/prisoner-hodgson-murder-quashed-miscarriage
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2485830/Jill-Dando-murder-Miscarriages-of-justice.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/jun/17/uksecurity.ukcrime
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/gla/story/0,,1888867,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1475918,00.html

probation
http://society.guardian.co.uk/crimeandpunishment/story/0,,2069096,00.html
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,,1735650,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1938202,00.html

probationer
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article2716217.ece

probation service
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1938201,00.html

Timeline: A history of probation
http://society.guardian.co.uk/crimeandpunishment/story/0,,2069052,00.html

be on parole
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1943405,00.html

offender

offend

reoffending
http://www.guardian.co.uk/criminaljustice/story/0,13733,1550584,00.html

young offender
http://society.guardian.co.uk/youthjustice/story/0,11982,1486277,00.html

young offenders' rehabilitation programme

employment tribunal
http://society.guardian.co.uk/localgovt/story/0,,1889834,00.html

employment appeal tribunal
http://society.guardian.co.uk/councilsincrisis/story/0,8150,492160,00.html

medical tribunal
http://society.guardian.co.uk/alderhey/story/0,7999,1501187,00.html

sex bias claim

sexual discrimination

compensation

military judge

dereliction of duty

demotion

dishonorable discharge

terrorism

terror cases

Secret courts
http://www.guardian.co.uk/attackonlondon/story/0,16132,1545404,00.html

Jury returns in torture murder trial

A jury in the trial of three teenagers accused of murdering a schoolboy who was savagely beaten before he was strangled and his body chopped into pieces is to continue considering its verdicts.

Adam Morrell, 14, was left with more than 280 injuries to his body as a gang of friends tortured him for up to three hours until he was almost unrecognisable.

His body was then hacked up with a saw in the bathroom of the house where he was staying in Loughborough, Leicestershire, and dumped in and around a canal in an effort to hide the evidence.

Headline and first §§, PA, 2.12.2003.

The Old Bailey > History > Primary sources

The Proceedings of the Old Bailey London 1674 to 1834
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/

The Ordinary of Newgate's Accounts - published between 1679 and 1772.
Narratives of the lives and deaths of convicts executed at Tyburn
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/static/Ordinarys-accounts.jsp

Glossary - A guide to unfamiliar judicial and historical terms
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/history/glossary.html

For schools
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/schools/

For schools > images / primary sources
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/schools/images/
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/schools/sources.html

execution

executioner

scaffold

gallows

go to the gallows

hang (regular verb)

be hanged
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1102551,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/fromthearchive/story/0,12269,1255112,00.html

rope
http://www.guardian.co.uk/fromthearchive/story/0,12269,1687084,00.html

noose

hangman

Albert Pierrepoint (1905-1992)
Britain's most prolific hangman, ending the lives of 400 men and women
http://www.pierrepoint.co.uk/albert.htm
http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/featurepages/0,,1743973,00.html
http://film.guardian.co.uk/Film_Page/0,,1627100,00.html

hanging

Ruth Ellis hanged for killing lover
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/13/newsid_2745000/2745023.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/542186.stm

Tyburn

Tyburn tree
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/schools/journey.html

The execution of Lord Ferrers at Tyburn
in 1760.

Ferrers was convicted of murdering his steward in a trial in the House of Lords.
Tyburn was used as a place of execution up to 1783.
Document copié 12.10.2005
Old Bailey archives
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/schools/sources.html

James Naylor Whipped at a Cart's Tail

(1656)

The Proceedings of The Old Bailey > For Schools > Schools Images
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/schools/images/#newgateprison

added 12.10.2005

Debbie Purdy: 'We've got our lives back'

Campaigner triumphant after Lords victory to clarify law on right to die

Friday, 31 July 2009
The Independent
By Jeremy Laurance, Health Editor

Debbie Purdy, who has dedicated her living days to winning the right to plan her death, made legal history yesterday when five law lords backed her landmark appeal to have the law on assisted suicide clarified.

The 46-year-old campaigner, who has multiple sclerosis, was "ecstatic" after the peers unanimously supported her call for the Director of Public Prosecutions to spell out the circumstances in which her husband or someone in a similar position might face prosecution for helping a loved one end their life abroad.

Having lost twice in the High Court and Court of Appeal, yesterday's decision brought huge relief. Flanked by her husband, the Cuban violinist Omar Puente, and to cheers from her supporters, Mrs Purdy said after the ruling: "I'm ecstatic. I am eagerly awaiting the DPP's policy publication so that we can make sure what we do does not risk prosecution. I think people are beginning to realise now that this is not about a right to die; it is about a right to live.

"It feels like everything else doesn't matter and now I can just be a normal person. It's terrific. It gives me my life back. We can live our lives. We don't have to plan my death."

Responding to the ruling, the DPP Keir Starmer, QC, said prosecutors would start work immediately to produce an interim policy by September, followed by a public consultation before the final policy is published next spring. "This is a difficult and sensitive subject and a complex area of the law," he said. "However, I fully accept the judgment of the House of Lords. The Crown Prosecution Service has great sympathy for the personal circumstances of Mrs Purdy and her family."

The decision will bring relief to scores of people facing similar dilemmas. More than 100 UK citizens with terminal illness or facing intolerable suffering have travelled to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland with friends or relatives to end their lives. No one has been prosecuted but the risk is always there. Under the present law, anyone who helps facilitate a suicide faces up to 14 years in jail.

Giving judgment in Mrs Purdy's case yesterday, the law lords said the DPP should be required to set out an "offence-specific policy", identifying the facts and circumstances that he would take into account in deciding whether it was in the public interest to prosecute under the Suicide Act.

Experts said the ruling meant it was no longer acceptable for the DPP to decide what was a crime on a case by case basis and that after he had set out the principles that would exclude prosecutions for compassionate assistance, the law would effectively have been changed. But the law lords said the ruling did not decriminalise assisted suicide, which was rejected after a highly charged debate this month by peers in the House of Lords sitting as the second chamber of Parliament and not as a court.

Mrs Purdy suffers from progressive multiple sclerosis which could mean she faces an undignified and distressing death. That might be avoided if she were able to travel to Dignitas to end her life peacefully.

Her dilemma was that unless the law was clarified she might be forced to end her life sooner than she planned, while she was still able to travel to Switzerland independently, to avoid the risk of her husband being prosecuted for assisting her. If the risk of prosecution was sufficiently low, she could wait until the very last minute before travelling with her husband's assistance.

The law lords said: "Everyone has the right to respect for their private life and the way that Mrs Purdy determines to spend the closing moments of her life is part of the act of living. Mrs Purdy wishes to avoid an undignified and distressing end to her life. She is entitled to ask that this too must be respected."

Campaigners hailed the victory as bringing an end to the "legal muddle" over assisted suicide. Pressure for a change in the law has grown. The Royal College of Nursing declared this month it was dropping its opposition to assisted suicide and adopting a neutral stance.

Sarah Wootton, chief executive of Dignity in Dying, said: "This historic judgment ensures the law keeps up with changes in society and, crucially, provides a more rational deterrent to abuse than a blanket ban which is never enforced."

Debbie Purdy: 'We've got our lives back', I, 31.7.2009,
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/debbie-purdy-weve-got-our-lives-back-1765339.html

Magna Carta Sells for $21.3M in New York

December 19, 2007
Filed at 6:57 a.m. ET
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The New York Times

NEW YORK (AP) -- A 710-year-old copy of the declaration of human rights known as the Magna Carta -- the version that became part of English law -- was auctioned for $21.3 million, a Sotheby's spokeswoman said.

The document, which had been expected to draw bids of $30 million or higher, was bought Tuesday by David Rubenstein of The Carlyle Group, a private equity firm, the spokeswoman said.

Sotheby's vice chairman David Redden called the old but durable parchment ''the most important document in the world, the birth certificate of freedom.''

The document was owned by the Perot Foundation, created by Texas billionaire H. Ross Perot, since the early 1980s. It had been on exhibit at the auction house for the past 11 days.

Bearing the seal of King Edward I and dated 1297, it is one of 17 known copies of the historic tract that defined human rights as the foundation for liberty and democracy as it is known today. It is one of two that exist outside Britain; the other is in Australia.

The Perot Foundation bought its copy from a British family for $1.5 million. From 1988 until earlier this year it was on loan to the National Archives in Washington, sharing space with the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, two documents that drew on its principles.

''Over those years,'' Redden said, ''it may have been seen by 40 to 50 million people, certainly the most viewed version of the Magna Carta anywhere.''

The Magna Carta came into existence when a group of English barons demanded that King John affix his seal to a list of protections at Runnymede in 1215. Those edicts were not fulfilled, but subsequent versions of the document followed for the next 80 years, until 1297, when it was codified into law.

Tuesday's sale price included the auction house's commission.

Magna Carta Sells for $21.3M in New York, NYT, 19.12.2007, http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Magna-Carta.html

'Madame Cyn' strains court-room calm

12 February 1987

From The Guardian archive

The severe calm of an English court was sorely tried by the "Madame Cyn" case. But the law proved as unshakable in its stays as the nobly constrained form of Mrs Cynthia Payne herself.

The Inner London Crown Court, where Mrs Payne was cleared yesterday of controlling prostitutes, took it all: accounts of Mrs Payne's style of home entertaining in Ambleside Avenue, Streatham, and the tumultu ous scenes when a police raid brought the party to an end – a great final fling of bedroom doors, revealing prodigies of corsetry and of sexual energy among the elderly infirm.

Judge Brian Pryor, who conducted the trial, sat in his wig and calf-length gown as a constable described his party-time encounter with a gent in curly grey wig and evening frock who introduced himself as Amanda. During a lesbian floor show, of course. Cynthia Payne has always thrown that sort of party.

Day one (January 22) opened with colourful events at No 32 and the denouement as the police crashed in. One man was in Mrs Payne's bathroom sitting on the rim of the bath, with a woman at his knee. When the police burst in she sprang to her feet. The gent toppled backwards into the tub, legs in the air and trousers around his ankles. Mrs Payne could hardly be blamed for his predicament. A sign on the door asked visitors not to fornicate in the bathroom "by order".

Day four: Inspector Colin White described an exchange with Mrs Payne – who said that she used to be a prostitute "until I got someone else to do the work... I prefer to enjoy the parties these days. Anyway, the hostess can't keep disappearing all night."

Day five: Items taken from the house were displayed in court, including a large, green luncheon vouchers sign, contraceptive pills, and a wooden bead necklace. Judge Pryor: "It is notorious that judges have always led sheltered lives but I cannot, for the moment, see the significance of the bead necklace."

February 3: Mrs Payne, with some dignity, explained from the witness box that she never indulged in sex at her parties. "I know it does make people happy, but to me it is just like having a cup of tea," she said.

February 9: Mr Spens, defending, sympathised with the jury who must be feeling "punch drunk" after hearing from a policeman who infiltrated three parties. His version of events amounted to "a sort of sexual marathon not even a Mars bar a day could possibly sustain". Judge Pryor, summing up, warned that the case was a criminal trial, not a form of entertainment.

'Madame Cyn' strains court-room calm, G, 12 February 1987, republished 12.2.2009, p. 34, http://digital.guardian.co.uk/guardian/2009/02/12/pages/ber34.shtml

On This Day - May 28, 1980

From The Times Archive

The inquest into the death of Blair Peach was one of the longest in legal history, with 84 witnesses going before the court. During the hearing it emerged that there had been an internal investigation into the death by the Complaints Investigation Bureau. The jury heard how items such as crowbars, sledgehammers and coshes were found in the lockers of members of the Special Patrol Group

BLAIR PEACH, aged 33, the teacher from New Zealand, who was fatally injured during the demonstration against the National Front at Southall, London, in April last year, died by misadventure, the jury at the inquest at Hammersmith into his death decided unanimously yesterday.

The jury, of five men and four women, which retired for four hours and 40 minutes to consider its verdict, added riders calling for more control of the special patrol group by its officers and for more liaison between the group and ordinary police. It also recommended that “no unauthorised weapons or implements should be available in police stations and that regular inspections should be carried out”.

The verdict was welcomed by the Police Federation as a proper one. It said the jury had taken “a very sensible view of the case”. The verdict was bitterly attacked, however, by Mrs Celia Stubbs, the woman with whom Mr Peach lived, and by the Anti-Nazi League, which organised the demonstration.

Sir David McNee, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said the police had already taken action on a number of points raised in the riders, after the inquiry into the functions of the SPG by Mr Patrick Kavanagh, the deputy commissioner. “The remainder will receive careful consideration”, he added.

Sir David said he wished to point out that all the facts known to the police were put before the inquest. His statement added: “The Commissioner hopes that the community and the police in Southall will now work together to re-establish a peaceful, harmonious, and law-abiding society.”

Mr Paul Holborrow, of the Anti-Nazi League, said that the verdict established beyond reasonable doubt that a policeman killed Blair Peach, but with the riders it indicated “that the SPG is an uncontrolled private army and that the police at the moment have a licence to kill”.

From The Times Archive > On This Day - May 28, 1980, The Times, 28.5.2005, http://www.newsint-archive.co.uk/pages/main.asp

August 12, 1889

The idleness of long legal holidays

From the Guardian archive

Monday August 12, 1889
Guardian

Tomorrow the lawyers enter upon the Long Vacation. From August 13 to October 24 - that is, ten weeks and two days - is in these busy and bustling days a goodly holiday.

Since idleness brings its own punishment in most cases, no one probably would be very much concerned with the liberal views which the legal profession take of the "refreshers" which in one form or another their colossal labours deserve.

But, unfortunately the lawyers make holiday in more ways than one at the expense of the public. The "close time" which is so jealously preserved does not by any means relieve litigants from the enormous expense that still attends any form of legal proceedings.

Apart altogether from the mere delay and suspense which are occasioned by the recurrence of this annual period of stagnation - and these are in themselves a serious hardship - the fact that an action must be hung up for such a long time involves a by no means inconsiderable addition to the bill of costs.

"Applications" and "steps" innumerable turn out to be necessary in consequence of the Long Vacation, and these do nothing to expedite a settlement of the matter in dispute.

It seems as if, notwithstanding the boasted reform of our legal system, the lawyers had purposely arranged not only for a holiday of enormous length, but that they should draw their expenses from the pockets of their luckless clients.

It is, then, not to be wondered at that every year the cry for a drastic change should make itself heard.

Of course it is only natural that the lawyers have hitherto succeeded in maintaining the Long Vacation in spite of the long outcry for its abolition. In 1875 it was cut down by a few weeks, and it has since been again curtailed [from] the old three months and more.

But the question which is once more being asked is whether there is any real necessity for any wholesale legal holiday at all. Why should all the judges go away at the same time?

If they were granted a month or two's leave of absence in rotation, they could recruit themselves as other people have to do, and without seriously interfering with the progress of legal business.

To the rank and file of the bar the Long Vacation is a melancholy interval of enforced idleness which exists for the protection of the more fortunate members of the profession.

From the Guardian archive > August 12, 1889 > The idleness of long legal holidays, G, Republished 12.8.2006, http://www.guardian.co.uk/fromthearchive/story/0,,1843193,00.html

February 1, 1873

Law reform and how to get it

From the Guardian archive

On this day in 1873 campaigners were demanding an overhaul of the law.

Saturday February 1, 1873
Guardian
A Barrister

An Oxford Fellow used to say that a college would be a paradise if only it contained no undergraduates. The Inns of Court some years ago nearly fulfilled his ideal. The Temple and Lincoln's Inn are law colleges where the Fellows, termed "benchers" for centuries, eat good dinners and possess emoluments, whilst they did nothing for the undergraduates, but compelled them to eat a number of very bad dinners and pay a number of heavy fees. The Inns of Court were, in short, and for most practical purposes still are, places of education which educate nobody.

Of course such a splendid abuse as this could not flourish on absolutely untouched. At last the benchers, terrified by the thought that Lord Selborne was coming into power, have made up their minds to do something which shall at any rate look vigorous.

They have made it necessary for every man in future called to go through some sort of examination. The most conservative members of the most conservative profession have admitted the necessity for a revolution.

The true objects of reform are twofold. By far the most important is to get systematic legal instruction. The law has been a science which could be picked up by practice but which could not be learnt, for the very simple reason that there was nobody to teach it. Now of this "practical instruction in chambers" I would always speak in the very highest terms. It is absolutely essential as one element, and a main element, in legal training; but it cannot be, from its very nature, a substitute for the methodical instruction which would be given by any teacher or professor of law, who really understood his business.

The experience in chambers has been more than half wasted since it is impossible to understand what a practitioner does unless some one will explain to you why he does it; to study in chambers whilst receiving no teaching is like walking the hospital without getting any instruction in medicine. If ever there is to be a legal university, out of the Inns of Court and their funds this must be formed. We have overhauled the church, the universities, there is no reason why we should show any special deference to the Inns. We need an Inns of Court reform bill, like the Oxford or Cambridge University reform bill. We need a commission empowered not to report, but to act.

· This is from one of a series of long Condition of England articles the Guardian carried in the 1870s, often in the guise of letters to the editor

Law reform and how to get it, original article Saturday February 1, 1873, G, 1.2.2006, http://www.guardian.co.uk/fromthearchive/story/0,,1699135,00.html

January 25, 1864

Draper's bell tolls for a bed tick thief

From the Guardian archive

January 25 1864
The Manchester Guardian

Novel thief catching. John Paul was charged at the Salford Town Hall yesterday with having stolen a bed tick [mattress case] from the shop door of Mr. Henry Boardman, draper, Chapel-street. The prosecutor displays some of his goods on strings, and fastens a bell to them to give an alarm in case they are disturbed. On the 18th, he heard the bell ring, and on going to the door he discovered the prisoner running away with a bed tick. He followed him, and took him into custody. It was stated that the bell had been the means of apprehending several other thieves. The prisoner was summarily committed for three months.

Theft of tea. Yesterday, at the City Police Court, Joseph Eastwood, and Sarah Ann Redfern were charged with attempting to steal a chest of tea worth £4.10s. from the shop of Mr. John Brady, Julia-street, Strangeways. Mrs. Brady said that on Monday evening Redfern came into the shop and asked for a halfpenny-worth of toffy [sic], and while attending to her she saw Eastwood removing a chest of tea from behind the door. Seeing he was observed, Eastwood ran away, leaving the chest in the shop. She then charged the girl with being an accomplice, and gave her into custody. At the station Redfern said that Eastwood and a man named Turner took the chest. A boy named Robert Baird, who informed Mrs. Brady of the attempted robbery, said he saw Eastwood and another standing at the door. The prisoners were remanded to Friday.

Five years for stealing cheese. A boy, 15-years-old, named Martin Judson, was charged at the City Police Court, yesterday, with stealing several pounds of cheese from the shop of Mr. John Markendale, Berkeley-street, Strangeways. The prosecutor's wife heard a noise in the shop on Monday night, and on going to see what was the cause, she saw the prisoner running from the house, and at the same time she missed the stolen cheese; which the prisoner threw at a girl who spoke to him as he was passing. He was shortly afterwards apprehended. The boy's father, who stated that he was a working optician, said his son had of late been led into bad company.

He begged the magistrates to dismiss the case, and promised he would answer for his good behaviour in future. Mr. Boss (the presiding magistrate) said the prisoner had already been convicted of attempting to pick pockets and the offence could not be overlooked. He ordered that he be sent to prison for a month and afterwards to a reformatory for five years.

Draper's bell tolls for a bed tick thief, G, January 25 1864, Republished Wednesday January 25, 2006, http://www.guardian.co.uk/fromthearchive/story/0,,1694508,00.html

May 18, 1857

Why is only the murderer's life held sacred?

From the Guardian archive

On this day in 1857 the Manchester Guardian discussed a parliamentary debate on capital punishment.

Monday May 18, 1857
Guardian

We hear a good deal said of the improved feeling of the present generation in regard to the sacredness of human life. We are accustomed to commend ourselves as being " far better than our fathers" who hanged men for stealing half a guinea, and sent boys and girls to the gallows by scores for taking part in anti-catholic riots.

Those who consider themselves to hold the foremost place among the philanthropists and reformers of the day are agitating, declaiming, and writing vehemently in favour of the total and immediate abolition of capital punishment, as unworthy of a civilised age and a Christian country. But when we come to look below the surface of things,- to turn from our statute book to the police reports of the newspapers, and from the smooth humanity-mongers of philanthropic meetings to our streets and our towns, we shall be inclined to think this boasted advancement,this self-laudatory humanity, virtues extremely perverted in their application.

We shall find that, while Mr. Ewart [the reforming liberal MP William Ewart] is labouring to prove to the House of Commons that it is an abomination and a crime to hang a scoundrel for murdering his friend, a servant for poisoning her master and mistress, an infanticide for strangling her helpless child, that some three or four innocent persons have been butchered by the wretches whom Mr. Ewart is so anxious to protect, and whom his conduct serves to encourage.

In one column of a provincial journal may be read a long report of the discourse of the county member.The next [column]contains an account of atrocious murder committed the same evening, within a few hundred yards of the platform on which the orator held forth. The lives of assassins only are to be held sacred,while those of old men and helpless women and children are to be ruthlessly sacrificed to the false morality, the weak,if not wicked sentimentality which shrinks from the idea of hanging those who have not shrunk from murdering their fellow-creatures.

The extreme reluctance displayed by juries to find a verdict of guilty on a capital charge; the equally foolish and far more criminal lenity of the Home Office, which appears as if actuated by a desire to effect, by gradual steps, the complete disuse of capital punishment, - so far from being proofs of an enlightened humanity and an intense respect for the sanctity of life, are really indications of gross and obstinate short-sightedness. We are inclined to believe that excessive tenderness for murderers has had the effect of rendering criminals far more reckless of shedding blood than would otherwise be the case.

From the Guardian archive > May 18, 1857 > Why is only the murderer's life held sacred?, G, Republished 18.5.2006, http://www.guardian.co.uk/fromthearchive/story/0,,1777887,00.html

July 13, 1850

A lad's life of prison and whippings

From the Guardian archive

Saturday July 13, 1850
Guardian

On Wednesday, a little lad named John Johnson, stated to be 13 years of age, though he did not appear to be more than ten, was brought before Mr. Hodgson, at the Borough Court, charged with stealing two pies from the window of a small pie shop in Jersey-street, Ancoats, kept by a man named Edward Hayes.

On the previous afternoon, he was seen by a neighbour looking in at the window, and immediately afterwards he passed her house door with two pies. It was subsequently ascertained that the window had been opened, and two pies stolen out.

The prisoner, in answer to the charge, protested several times that he found the pies on the ground, and did not take them out of the window.

Inspector Livingston, in reply to a question put by Mr. Hodgson, said the prisoner had been in prison several times. He then read the following list of his convictions: - One month, three months and whipped, one month and whipped, three months and whipped, two months and whipped, six months.

When asked how long he had been out of prison, the prisoner replied since last week but one. He again said he did not take the pies out of the window, and urged that no one saw him.

Mr. Hodgson said that if any one had seen him, he (Mr. Hodgson) would have committed him to the sessions, and the probability was that he would then have been got rid of [deported]; as it was, he should summarily commit him for three months.

Plucking Flowers: - On Saturday afternoon, a man named James McCorquodale was caught plucking flowers in Queen's Park. The park keeper asked him if he could read, as there are boards in the park, warning visitors not to touch flowers and shrubs, and he replied that he could.

On Monday the prisoner was brought up at the Borough Court, before Mr. John Sharp, the sitting magistrate. Councillor Ashmore, one of the members of the park committee, said that the committee were desirous that an example should be made of the prisoner.

Persons who had been found plucking flowers had been brought before the park committee and reprimanded, but that appeared to have no effect.

They had provided a board on which to publish the names of persons offending, and how they were delt [sic] with, a plan similar to that adopted in Kensington Gardens, London.

The prisoner admitted plucking the flowers, but expressed his sorrow. He was ordered to pay the value of the flowers, and 4s. 6d. costs, or be committed to hard labour for 14 days.

From the Guardian archive > July 13, 1850 > A lad's life of prison and whippings, G, Republished 13.7.2006, http://www.guardian.co.uk/fromthearchive/story/0,,1819292,00.html

April 12, 1843

Life and death inside: a prison chaplain reports

From the Guardian archive

Wednesday April 12, 1843
Guardian
Richard Appleton

In consequence of the unusual influx of prisoners, occasioned by the late unfortunate riots in the manufacturing districts, I have been obliged to read prayers twice every morning in the chapel. With respect to the conduct of the prisoners in the chapel, I may certainly once more speak in terms of the highest praise.

It is melancholy to reflect on the alarming increase in the number of delinquents throughout the country, and their apparent indifference to the system of good discipline, as exhibited by their repeated returns to prison. I confess that it does appear to me that much improvement might be adopted with regard to the punishment of young offenders, and that it is well worthy of consideration whether it would not be better, in many instances, to flog them soundly and discharge them at once, or to give them a few days' solitary confinement, than, as at present, to keep them for months in one another's infectious society, and giving them as much food as the strongest adult in the building.

Total number in school from October 20th, 1841, to October 20th, 1842, 301. Could not tell their letters when admitted, 57; could spell only, 78; could read imperfectly, 75; could read, 28; could read and write, 63; 301. For trial at assizes, 20; for trial at the sessions, 56; various convictions, 224; for bail, I; total, 301. Age of the youngest boy, 9; the eldest, 22; the average age, 14. Of 1,538 prisoners, there were 200 under 15 years of age.

The last year has been painfully marked by the first execution that has taken place during my chaplaincy - that of Francis Bradley, for the deliberate murder of his wife in Manchester by repeated doses of arsenic. He persisted in denying his guilt to the last day, when he acknowledged the justice of his sentence. Persons executed at Lancaster Castle, commencing in 1804: 171.

I look forward to the time when the exertions now directed at the scriptural education of this too long neglected class have effected moral reformation; and then may we reasonably hope that we shall cease to deplore, year after year, the steady increase of crime in our calendars and hail with delight the gradual disappearance of those demoralising habits which are at present so great a national curse, and to which is most certainly attributable no inconsiderable part of that distress which has prevailed throughout the country.

The gaol has been remarkably healthy during the whole year, and only eight deaths have occurred during that period.

From the Guardian archive > Life and death inside: a prison chaplain reports, G, Wednesday April 12, 1843, Republished 12.4.2006, http://www.guardian.co.uk/fromthearchive/story/0,,1752103,00.html

January 31, 1825

Seven years for a pound of butter

From the Guardian archive

From the archive: On this day a selection of British criminals were sentenced.
This is how the Guardian reported the news.
January 31, 1825
Guardian

The following sentences have been passed: Tranported Seven Years - James Bowker, 15, for stealing one pound weight of butter (Michael Higgins, 15, for the same offence, 12 months). Thomas Crabtree, 16, for stealing two silk handkerchiefs. Frederick Wil¬son, 23, for stealing wearing apparel. James Bargatty, 29, for stealing 100 pounds of peach-wood.

Imprisoned Two Years - John M'Conville, 15, for stealing two yards of cloth etc (Thos. Johnson, 17, for the same offence, three months ), Thomas Heald, 77, for stealing six pieces of calico. John Christie, 51, for stealing six brass boxes. (Margaret Christie, 26, for the same offence acquitted.) Johanna Gill, 25, for stealing 10 yards of print. (Caroline Stables, 17, and Juliana Hague, I6, for the same offence, six months).

Imprisoned 12 Months - Samuel Hickson, 19, for stealing wearing apparel. John Eastwood, 14, for stealing four pieces of woollen cloth. Ottiwell Cooper, 55, for stealing a piece of woollen cloth. Thomas Nuttall, 24, for stealing a silk gown. William Thomas, 18, for stealing two books.

Imprisoned Six Months - John Stevens, 20, for stealing a pocket book. John Hampson, 18, and James Monks, 18, for stealing a cotton coat. Mary Edwards, 26, for stealing three silk handkerchiefs. John Ogden, 21, for stealing 40 pounds of hatter's fur (William Mellor, 18, charged with the same offence, acquitted). Ann Salt, 30, and Martha Moors, 51, for stealing a shirt (Jane Salt, 14, charged with the same offence, acquitted). G Robinson 16, and Thomas M'Cardle, 16, for stealing wearing apparel (Peter Briggs, 15, charged with the same offence, acquitted). John Antrobus, 26, for stealing a bed. Susannah Brown, 38, for stealing three pounds of rags (Mary Everty, 25, for the same offence, three months). William Hudson, 34, for stealing 50 yards of cloth. James Davies, for stealing gold and bank notes. Edward Pearce, stealing coats. James Baguley for stealing copper. Thomas Walton, for stealing flocks (William Whitey for the same offence, three months). Saml Edgar, 17, for stealing three watches.

Imprisoned Four Months - John Uncles, 16, Michael Cox, 15, and John Wilson, 5, for stealing a goose.

Imprisoned Three Months - John Anderson, 34, for stealing 10 pounds of beef. Alice Cavannah, for stealing two drinking glasses. John Penketh, 18, for stealing lead. Thomas Johnson, 45, for stealing one umbrella. Catharine M'Carvan, 21, for stealing a sovereign, Mary Black, for stealing a shawl.

Imprisoned Two Months - Thomas Abbott, 29, for stealing a hat and a pair of breeches.

Seven years for a pound of butter, G, 31.1.2006, Original article > From the archive > January 31, 1825, http://www.guardian.co.uk/fromthearchive/story/0,,1698439,00.html

January 16, 1824

The execution of an officer and gentleman

From the Guardian archive

From the archive:
On this day in 1824 the Guardian
reported on the execution of 30-year-old John Thurtell.
Friday January 16, 1824
The Guardian

John Thurtell stepped up with a peculiarly solemn but resolutely firm and manly step. He advanced, with a most deliberate pace, and gave his hand to the undersheriff, who was at the extreme end of the drop.

The executioner, now placing him on the spot assigned for him, proceeded to take off his hat and white neckcloth. At this moment he looked at the crowd, and made a slight inclination to a bow - a motion that had not been uncommon with him in court. Instantly every head was uncovered, and many among the crowd muttered: "What a gentleman!" His appearance at this moment was affecting beyond the power of description.

The executioner next produced a very thin nightcap, with which he covered his head; but it evidently did not obstruct his view. The undersheriff, the gaoler and the turnkey shook him by the hand. There seemed to be great affection in his manner of parting with them. Indeed, the feeling seemed to be reciprocal. In the course of his defence on Wednesday, Mr Wilson shed tears, and the turnkey, "albeit unused to the melting mood", sobbed and blubbered like a child.

After the executioner had fastened the rope round his neck, and while he was fastening it to the beam, Thurtell turned towards him more than once. He was understood to say: "There's hardly any fall." The executioner appeared to explain to him that it was quite sufficient. He then resumed his position, and stood unmoved as a rock till the tedious process of adjusting the rope was finished. The scene was such as deeply affected every heart, and evidently unmanned many. The executioner now left the drop, and went to his post below.

Mr Wilson, who was the only one now left with him, took him by the hand, and Thurtell was heard distinctly, and in the most cordial manner, to say: "God Almighty, bless you!"

At five minutes past twelve the drop fell, and the person of John Thurtell dropped beneath the platform: a suppressed groan was heard from the multitude. The executioner having immediately caught him by the legs, there appeared no other movement. It was quite manifest that Thurtell's spirit continued unshaken, till it left its earthly mansion for ever.

Thus terminated the life of John Thurtell, at the early age of thirty; a man with great talents and who had enjoyed the education of a gentleman.

In one of the first cases intensively covered by newspapers, Thurtell, a former naval officer, was jointly convicted of murdering a gambling associate. He attracted wide public sympathy.

From The Guardian archive > Friday January 16, 1824 > The execution of an officer and gentleman, G, 16.1.2006, http://www.guardian.co.uk/fromthearchive/story/0,12269,1687084,00.html

May 7 1822

Master's right to correct his servant

From The Guardian archive

May 7 1822
The Guardian

Mr. John Thackeray, a respectable cotton spinner in this town, was indicted for having on the 29th March severely flogged with a large birch rod a boy between 12 and 13 years of age, named Michael Donovan, who was in his employ.

Mr. Ashworth contended to the jury that Mr Thackeray had been guilty of a flagrant breach of the law. He admitted the right of a master reasonably to correct his servant, but maintained that the chastisement inflicted on the boy was by no means of that moderate nature which the law authorises.

From the testimony for the prosecution, it appeared Mr. Thackeray took the boy into his counting house and gave him twenty or thirty stripes with a birch-rod; that the boy had been severely beaten, that his flesh was marked with black and red stripes to a width of about four inches, and that next morning he was so unwell that it was with difficulty he was induced to get out of bed, and go to his work.

On cross-examination, the prosecutor admitted various acts of misbehaviour towards some of the girls employed in Mr. Thackeray's factory, and it also came out, that the beating he had received was not so severe as to break his skin in the slightest degree.

Mr. Coltman, for the defendants, insisted that the conduct of Mr. Thackeray was clearly according to law, and cited various authorities to prove that a master was justified in administering reasonable and proper correction to a servant under age. There was no more proper instrument than a rod with which to inflict it. It was said, indeed, "he who spares the rod spoils the child".

Witnesses for the defence proved that the boy had knocked them down, struck them with a large whip [and] behaved with indecency. One girl had been so hurt in the leg that she had to be carried to bed for three weeks.

The Chairman, in summing up, held that the evidence had fully justified the conduct of Mr. Thackeray. Verdict of Not Guilty.

(Owing to a pressure of important parliamentary debates and of advertisements we are compelled to omit several interesting trials. )

The following prisoners, have received sentence, in addition to those mentioned in our last:

Transported Fourteen Years. John Saul, 33, for receiving two pieces of velvet, knowing them to be stolen. James Smith, 17, for stealing the same, imprisoned two years. Transported Seven Years. Daniel Herbert, 20, for stealing blankets, etc.

From The Guardian archive > May 7 1822 > Master's right to correct his servant, G, republished 7.5.2007, p. 26,
http://digital.guardian.co.uk/guardian/2007/05/07/pages/ber26.shtml

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