Catch up with the latest news.
Support for the abolition of requirement for Corroboration.
As the debate on abolishing the requirement for corroboration continues to divide opinion in Scotland, the Solicitor General Lesley Thomson Q.C. has spoken out in favour of the proposal. The Scottish Government plans to abolish the requirement for corroboration as it believes that the current system is working against some… Read more ...DPP to examine criminal justice approach to human trafficking in England
The issue of human trafficking has recently been under the spotlight in England, with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) meeting with experts and interested parties to discuss the investigation and prosecution of this offence. Human trafficking is criminalised in England and Wales under two specific pieces of legislation: section… Read more ...Crime rates decrease for sixth year in a row
We were interested to read that there has been a fall for the sixth consecutive year in the number of people who had criminal proceedings raised against them, according to recent figures released by Scotland’s Chief Statistician. In 2012-13, the total number of people proceeded against in Scottish courts fell… Read more ...Merseyside man jailed for benefit fraud
The law finally caught up with Norman Brennan from Merseyside this week, when he was jailed for three years for benefits fraud, reports Sky News. In 2008 Brennan had admitted defrauding the public purse to the tune of around £120,000. Prior to sentencing he was granted bail but he subsequently… Read more ...Crackdown on VAT fraud continues
HMRC’s crackdown on VAT fraud continues with the detention of a businessman from Fife in relation to a suspected £500,000 VAT repayment fraud. HMRC officers searched one domestic and two business premises in Fife last week, where they seized business records relating to the suspected fraud. The operation is linked… Read more ...Couple sentenced for £885,000 fraud
Cardiff couple Mark and Elizabeth Lewis have been sentenced for their parts in a large scale Gift Aid fraud believed to have cost the public revenue £885,000. Mark Lewis was sentenced to four years' imprisonment and his wife Elizabeth Lewis was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment suspended for two years… Read more ...New analysis of UK bribery prosecutions
An analysis of UK bribery prosecutions has revealed that many of the bribes paid out by UK companies to secure business interests are relatively small when compared with the contract gains that result. The review, by accountants Ernst & Young, assessed 27 bribery prosecutions and found that one-third of the bribes paid out… Read more ...Legislation to tackle human trafficking
The UK Government has announced new measures in England and Wales to ensure that human traffickers will face the full force of the law, with the maximum sentence for trafficking offences increased to life. The move will make sure the worst perpetrators can get a life sentence while those who… Read more ...Parole Board oral hearings challenge succeeds
In an interesting ruling, the Supreme Court has ruled that the Parole Board breached three prisoners’ human rights by failing to offer them oral hearings. The appeal concerned the circumstances in which the Parole Board is obliged to hold an oral hearing. The first appellant, Osborn, had been sentenced to… Read more ...More From Our News Archive
- Police Survey Reveals Public’s Crime Concerns
- Consultation on schedule 7 powers launched
- Homicide in Scotland at an all-time low
- Beltrami and Co sponsor play "In For A Penny"
- Government announces delay to its plans for corroboration
- Use of Stop and Search under Review
- UK delivers European court reform
- Beltrami & Co. - Criminal Law Firm of the Year 2016
