HHJ Craft sitting at a Crown Court near you (or perhaps not)
Joined October 2020
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Plan to deport foreign criminals 'will make UK magnet for drug gangs'.
Baldrick might describe this as cunning… thetimes.co.uk/article/5e070…
There is a lot today on the @BBCNews about “sextortion”: a gentle reminder that sextortion is blackmail, which the law covers and criminalises already. We really don’t need another new criminal offence (in case anyone thinks we do!).
A really significant case but there is no reporting here - nothing from the opening, mitigation or sentencing remarks. Just regurgitation of the police press report. It’s a cut and paste. @MailOnline @TheCriminalBar dailymail.co.uk/news/article…
Another day in paradise. The interpreter for the 1st case simply cancelled the booking yesterday afternoon. The defendant in the 2nd still hadn’t left his prison 140 miles away at 10. The 3rd def’s solicitors haven’t managed to find a psychiatrist prepared to complete a report
1. Female Def, 23, lightly convicted. Significant Mental Health problems. Committed in custody for sentence for spate of thefts and criminal damage. After mitigation, the most she could get on top of time served was about a month. Motivated for a DRR but homeless. So
2. adjourn for MH assessment and for probation to try arrange immediate accommodation. Case dealt with at 2.30. Probation, MH team, and support worker all ready and waiting for her release. She doesn’t get released from custody until after 5 by which time
Sexual offence against a 16 year old in March ‘21. Arrested, interviewed & admits it 6 weeks later (April ‘21).
Paper summons sent out in Feb ‘23. Pleaded at 1st appearance Mar ‘23. Committed for sentence Apr ‘23. It’s had to be adjourned. CPS can’t find anyone to prosecute.
HH Judge Craft retweeted
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has sanctioned an extension in the time that offenders released from jail can spend at home, wearing an electronic tag, from 135 days to 180 days.
Unusual fact: there are insufficient dock officers for the court business today because Serco is providing security for the G7 summit. Defendants will have to be sentenced in relays when it’s convenient for the cells.
Shocked and saddened by the death of Drystone’s Matthew Jewell QC aged only 54. A great advocate with a winning smile and a waspish sense of humour. He will be much missed.