5 d. ago MoJ to remove right to trial by jury for thousands of cases in controversial overhaul

Exclusive: Courts minister says change needed to stop criminals opting for juries to delay cases, sometimes by years, and clear huge backlogUK politics live – latest updatesCriminals will be stopped from “gaming the system” by choosing trial by jury in order to increase the chances of proceedings collapsing, the courts minister has said, promising to enact radical changes to limit jury trials by the next election.Drug dealers and career criminals were “laughing in the dock” knowing cases can take years to come to trial, Sarah Sackman told the Guardian, saying inaction would be a road to “chaos and ruin”. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago British architect who claimed Dubai government stole his eco

British architect Baharash Bagherian, who claimed the Dubai government stole his eco-design and tried to lock him up, has been cleared of all criminal charges following a 16-month 'living nightmare'.

Politics

2 w. ago Jailed UK climate protesters facing conditions reserved for extremists on release

Exclusive: Just Stop Oil activist was banned from attending gatherings, including meeting a friend in a cafe, without permissionEnvironmental protesters are being given licence conditions on release from jail that are supposed to be limited to extremism cases.Ella Ward, 22, was banned from going to any meetings or gatherings, except for worship, without permission from her probation officer, although the Ministry of Justice dropped the condition after she brought a legal challenge. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Just Stop Oil activists acquitted of Stonehenge criminal damage

Rajan Naidu, Niamh Lynch and Luke Watson were involved in the incident in June last year.

Events

3 w. ago Just Stop Oil activists who covered Stonehenge with orange powder are CLEARED of criminal damage after making human rights defence

Rajan Naidu, 74, student Niamh Lynch, 23, and Luke Watson, 36, were on trial accused of vandalising the world heritage site to protest against the use of fossil fuels.

Events

3 w. ago Three Just Stop Oil activists cleared over Stonehenge protest

Trio argued orange powder protest day before 2024 solstice was justified because of focus on climate emergency Three Just Stop Oil protesters have been cleared over a protest at Stonehenge during which orange powder was sprayed on to the prehistoric circle.Rajan Naidu, 74, Niamh Lynch, 23, and Luke Watson, 36, targeted Stonehenge the day before last year’s summer solstice. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Just Stop Oil activists who sprayed Stonehenge with orange powder cleared of criminal damage

They cited human rights law in their defence

Events

3 w. ago ‘No regrets’: activists who sprayed Stonehenge orange proud of ‘magic trick’

Just Stop Oil protesters say they knew action would not harm stones and law used to prosecute them was ‘insane’Over the years, Just Stop Oil activists have carried out headline-grabbing actions at sporting events, art galleries and motorways, but it was their protest at Stonehenge that attracted the most attention globally.As the trial of the three JSO activists who led the action ended with their acquittal, they described their pride at their “magic trick”, insisting it was a proportionate response to the climate emergency and criticising the “insane” law under which they were prosecuted. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Brazilian police favela raid leaves 132 dead in bloody 'clear out' days before Prince William's visit

Over 40 dead bodies were seen on a street in Rio de Janeiro's Penha favela complex on Wednesday, a day after the most lethal police operation in the city's history targeting a major gang.

Events

3 w. ago Weigh up protest rights before deciding JSO verdicts, Stonehenge jury told

Three Just Stop Oil supporters are accused of using two fire extinguishers filled with cornflour, talc and an orange dye to spray Stonehenge.

Events

3 w. ago Brazilian police favela raid leaves 64 dead in bloody 'clear out' days before Prince William's visit

Over 40 dead bodies were seen on a street in Rio de Janeiro's Penha favela complex on Wednesday, a day after the most lethal police operation in the city's history targeting a major gang.

Events

4 w. ago Vera star Brenda Blethyn, 79, defends 'great' Kevin Spacey as she admits 'having an appetite is not a crime' after Oscar

Brenda Blethyn has defended the 'great' Oscar-winning Kevin Spacey, after he was cleared of a series of criminal charges.

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