Adrian Goldsmith – Police Officer jailed for murder of his wife
Introduction On 1st February 2016, (soon to be ex) PC Adrian Goldsmith was jailed for life, for the murder of Jill Goldsmith, his wife. In the early hours of 26th March 2015, PC Goldsmith called 999 to...
View ArticleKarl Demetrius and Jaydene Parsons jailed for role in Becky Watts case
Introduction Barring appeals, the final chapter in the legal side of the Becky Watts case finished on 5th February 2016 as two people were sentenced for their role in helping Nathan Matthews and Shuana...
View ArticleNick Marray – Solicitor who was jailed for perverting gets struck off
We covered the case of Liverpool Solicitor Nick Marray who was jailed for two years all the way back in July 2013 for perverting the course of justice. He’s presumably long out. As we noted, it’s...
View ArticleAdam Johnson: Footballer pleads guilty to child sexual offences
On 10 February 2016, professional footballer Adam Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of grooming. He entered not guilty pleas in respect of two further...
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Are Cats allowed in Court?
Introduction The Essex Chronicle updated us on 3rd February 2016 about the tale of Aiden Wiltshire, a 72 year old who is before Chelmsford Crown Court for two counts of stalking between August 2013 and...
View ArticleDefendant who told judge “suck my cock” on Facebook to be re-sentenced
The headline pretty much sums up the story – Daniel Sledden was convicted of supplying cannabis was sentenced by HHJ Lunt. He received a two-year suspended sentence. Understandably over-joyed at not...
View ArticleTwo men jailed for three years for theft of 38 phones
Facts and Sentence On 27th January 2016 the popular music group The Libertines were due to give a musical performance in Birmingham. Alert police officers were drawn to two men acting suspiciously;...
View ArticleAdam Johnson – Guilty of Sexual Activity with a Child
Introduction and Facts Adam Johnson, the Sunderland and England footballer was arrested on 2nd March 2015 and later charged with three offences of sexual activity with a girl under 16 (contrary to s9...
View ArticleJason Lawrence – match.com rapist jailed for life
Introduction Like many people nowadays Jason Lawrence, a 50 year from Hampshire, turned to internet dating – match.com (other dating websites are available). Unlike most, Mr Lawrence’s aim was not to...
View ArticleComparing sentences: Adam Johnson and Andrew Picard
We were asked by one of our followers on Twitter to explain why Adam Johnson is staring down the barrel of 5 years’ imprisonment whereas – in his words – ‘the Andrew Picard case is more serious’ but he...
View ArticleDavina Ayrton – trans woman jailed for rape
Introduction We looked in January at the case of Davina Ayrton, a trans woman who was found guilty of raping a 15 year old in 2004. Sentence was adjourned, and on 4th March 2016 Ms Ayrton was sentenced...
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David Dinsmore – Sun editor convicted for publishing Adam Johnson victim...
Introduction We covered the case of Adam Johnson, the Sunderland footballer who was convicted of Sexual Activity with a Child, last week. As is so often the case in these sorts of cases, plenty of...
View ArticleSharon Edwards guilty of murder of solicitor husband
Introduction In June 2015 Sharon Edwards (42) got married to David Edwards (51) in Las Vegas. Two months later he was dead – stabbed in the chest – the culmination of a prolonged period of domestic...
View Article“Mercy killing” murder leads to just four year minimum term
On 10 March 2016, the BBC covered the sentencing of Claire Darbyshire, following her conviction for murder. What happened? Claire, 36, acted as full-time carer for her father, Brian, who suffered from...
View ArticleWas “Nathan Matthews appeal thrown out”?
Introduction We covered the case of Nathan Matthews and Shuana Hoare who were convicted of the murder and manslaughter of Becky Watts in November 2015. As was to be expected, both lodged appeals...
View ArticleRolf Harris denies 7 historical sex offences
On 17th March 2016 Rolf Harris, the 85 year old Australian artist and entertainer appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to 8 sexual offences. 7 are of indecent assault...
View ArticleChed Evans – Appeal to be heard on 22nd March 2016
*Update – 22nd March * We were hoping to able to give a summary, and maybe some commentary, of the first day of the appeal, but we understand that there have been reporting restrictions imposed that...
View ArticleAdam Johnson to be sentenced for sexual activity with a child: 24 March 2016
On 24 March 2016, Adam Johnson will be sentenced for two offences of sexual activity with a child and one offence of grooming. What happened? Adam Johnson, the former Sunderland and England footballer...
View ArticleFormer footballer Adam Johnson sentenced to 6 years for child sexual offences
Introduction and Facts Adam Johnson, the former Sunderland and England footballer was sentenced on 24th March 2016 for three offences – one offence of sexual activity with a girl under 16 (contrary to...
View ArticleMatthew Doyle charged with ‘inciting racial hatred’
Introduction Matthew Doyle, a tweeter from Croydon, made it in to the newspapers on 23rd March 2016 due to tweets that he had allegedly sent in the wake of the Belgium terrorist attacks. In the early...
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