Drunken air rage passenger jailed – BBC News

“A 50-year-old man from Staffordshire has been jailed for six months for a drunken air rage attack on a plane.”

Full story 

BBC News, 5th March 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ban for 12-pints speeding driver – BBC News

“A court has heard how a man crashed into a lamp post while driving at 80mph in a 30mph zone after drinking 12 pints and rowing with his girlfriend.”

Full story 

BBC News, 2nd March 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Man jailed for getting drunk on plane – The Independent

“A man who terrified passengers on a plane after drinking a bottle of vodka in the toilet cubicle has been jailed for 12 weeks, police said today.”

Full story

The Independent, 13th February 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Low-alcohol wine manufacturer fights ban – The Times

“The food standards watchdog was accused yesterday of a ‘heavy handed abuse of power’ in banning a new low-alcohol wine in the face of Government policy urging people to drink sensibly.”

Full story

The Times, 10th February 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Man fined £185 for being drunk in charge of horse – Daily Telegraph

“A man was fined £185 for being drunk in charge of a horse after riding the animal bareback through the streets.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 30th January 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Mother wins drive ban law change – BBC News

“A Teesside mother, whose daughter was killed by a drink-driver, has helped win a change in the law on bans served by jailed motorists.”

Full story

BBC News, 27th January 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Reforming the law on intoxication – Law Commission

“On 15 January 2009 we published our report on ‘Intoxication and Criminal Liability’.  Our report addresses the law governing the extent to which a defendant may rely on his or her drunken or otherwise intoxicated state at the time he or she committed a criminal offence to avoid liability.  The report focuses on the situation where the defendant was voluntarily intoxicated.  However, the report also addresses the more unusual situation where the defendant’s intoxication was involuntary.”

Full press release

Law Commission, 15th January 2009

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk

Drunk judge suspended for kissing lawyer and swearing in court – Daily Telegraph

“A drunk judge had to be escorted from court after kissing a solicitor, swearing at an usher and insulting a prosecutor while ‘fortified’ with brandy, a disciplinary tribunal has heard.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 13th January 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Morning-after drink-drive ban for Mike Tindall – The Times

“Mike Tindall has been banned from the road for three years after he was caught driving while over the alcohol limit on his way to commentate on an international rugby match.”

Full story

The Times, 9th January 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Drunk driver jailed for seven years for baby’s death – The Guardian

“A woman who lost control of her Toyota 4×4, swerved on to a kerb and crushed a toddler in his pushchair was jailed for seven years today.”

Full story

The Guardian, 7th January 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Government cracks down on irresponsible drinking – Home Office

“A ban on ‘all you can drink’ promotions in pubs and bars has been announced by the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Health Secretary Alan Johnson.”

Full press release

Home Office, 3rd December 2008

Source: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Woman walks free from court despite driving after 20 pint and vodka binge – Daily Telegraph

“A former women’s international cricketer who was caught driving after drinking 20 pints of beer and a several vodkas has walked free from court.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 28th November 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Call for tougher laws on alcohol – The Independent

“Drinks firms should be forced to post warnings on alcohol ads as part of wide-ranging measures to cut binge drinking, the Government’s official drugs advisers have warned.”

Full story

The Independent, 26th November 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Binge drinkers to confront their alcohol-related criminal behaviour – Home Office

“Binge drinkers arrested for alcohol related offences in nine police force areas across the country will be compelled to face up to the consequences of their drinking, Home Office Minister Alan Campbell announced today.”

Full story

Home Office, 13th November 2008

Source: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Consultant gynaecologist suspended for drinking before operation – Daily Telegraph

“A consultant gynaecologist travelled to hospital ready to operate while twice the drink-driving limit, the General Medical Council has heard.”

Full story 

Daily Telegraph, 21st October 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Bans for violent drunks not being used – Daily Telegraph

“A key plank of the Government’s plans to tackle alcohol-fuelled disorder introduced two years ago has still not been used.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 17th October 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Former goalkeeper Luke McCormick given seven years for fatal car crash – The Guardian

“A former Championship goalkeeper was today jailed for seven years and four months after admitting killing two young brothers while driving dangerously at twice the legal alcohol limit.”

Full story

The Guardian, 6th October 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Britain decides against a new lower limit for drink-driving – The Times

“Britain is to become the only European country that allows motorists to have at least one alcoholic drink and still be legally fit to drive.”

Full story

The Times, 6th October 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Long hours and stress drive lawyers to drink and drugs – The Times

“A culture of long hours and stress are driving increasing numbers of lawyers to drink and drugs, both within and outside the workplace.”

Full story

The Times, 6th October 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Rape compensation still not paid – BBC News

“Compensation has still not been paid in full to some rape victims who had their payouts incorrectly reduced because they had been drinking when attacked.”

Full story

BBC News, 30th September 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Call to give local people power to block licensing applications – The Guardian

“People could be given the power to object to alcohol licensing applications on public health grounds under a radical plan from a commission charged with improving health in the most sickly city in the UK.”

Full story

The Guardian, 18th September 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

‘I felt like I’d been slapped’ – BBC News

“A rape victim who was told her compensation would be cut because she had been drinking before the attack has had the decision overturned.”

Full story

BBC News, 12th August 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Dozens more rape compensation payouts cut as victims had been drinking – The Times

“Dozens more rape victims have had their compensation payments cut because they had been drinking when they were attacked, it emerged yesterday.”

Full story

The Times, 13th August 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Drink-drive death total drops 18% – BBC News

“The number of people killed by drinking and driving has fallen by almost a fifth, government statistics reveal.”

Full story

BBC News, 7th August 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Violent women: binge drinking culture fuels rise in attacks by women – Daily Telegraph

“The number of violent offences carried out by women has doubled in just five years, official figures show.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 31st July 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Police demand action after pubs ditch drinking code – The Guardian

“The drinks industry has torn up a voluntary code banning aggressive happy-hour deals and other irresponsible drinks promotions in more than half of the UK’s 57,000 pubs.”

Full story

The Guardian, 28th July 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Pubs face tough laws to stop dangerous drinking – The Independent

“More than 10 million adults consume dangerous amounts of alcohol, and drink-related hospital admissions are soaring, ministers warned as they told pubs and clubs to scrap cynical ploys aimed at boosting alcohol sales to young revellers.”

Full story

The Independent, 23rd July 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Drug users risk benefit cuts – The Observer

“The unemployed will be forced to declare drug or heavy drinking habits when they apply for benefits and will have payments cut if they give misleading answers, under government proposals which were announced yesterday.”

Full story

The Observer, 20th July 2008

Source: http://observer.guardian.co.uk

Road safety: Impose total alcohol ban for teenage drivers, says chief medical officer – The Guardian

“A zero drink-driving limit should be imposed on all drivers under 20, the chief medical officer recommended yesterday, saying that such a ban would save lives.”

Full story

The Guardian, 15th july 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Fatal drink driver was on phone – BBC News

“A drink-driver who killed a woman when she crashed into her broken-down car while using a mobile phone has been jailed for six years.”

Full story

BBC News, 11th July 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Judge praises twins who reported their drink-driving mother – Daily Telegraph

“A judge has praised twin sisters for public spiritedness in reporting their mother to police for drink driving.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 9th July 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

24-hour drink law has not cut violence, say frontline workers – The Times

“The Government’s attempt to reduce alcohol-related disorder by introducing 24-hour drinking has failed dismally, according to a survey.”

Full story

The Times, 1st July 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

R v Wood – WLR Daily

R v Wood [2008] EWCA Crim 1305; [2008] WLR (D) 204

“In addressing a plea of diminished responsibility in the context of alcohol dependency syndrome, the jury must consider whether it had been established that the defendant’s syndrome was of such an extent and nature that it constituted an abnormality of mind induced by disease or illness, and, if that were established, whether the defendant’s mental responsibility for his actions at the time of the killing was substantially impaired as a result of the syndrome.”

WLR Daily, 25th June 2008

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

Cheap supermarket alcohol could be banned in England – Daily Telegraph

“Shops could be forced to raise the basic cost of alcoholic drinks by a third or more, as part of plans to make it harder for young people to access cheap alcohol.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 18th June 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Parents to face court over young drinkers – The Guardian

“Parents who give their children alcohol risk being hit with court orders under a new government clampdown on teenagers drinking in public.”

Full story

The Guardian, 1st June 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Drunk ‘Darth Vader’ spared jail – BBC News

A man has been given a suspended jail sentence for attacking two Star Wars fans while dressed as Darth Vader.”

Full story

BBC News, 13th May 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Boris bans alcohol on buses and tube – The Independent

” New London Mayor Boris Johnson today announced an alcohol ban on transport in the capital.”

Full story

The Independent, 7th May 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Bingo jackpot for drunk Asbo offender – Daily Telegraph

“A drinker who injured a woman police officer while resisting arrest was given an Asbo banning him from all pubs and clubs – except when he wants to go to bingo.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 24th April 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Drink-drive offenders could keep licences – The Times

“Drink drivers would no longer automatically lose their licences under government plans to lower the alcohol limit for motorists to the equivalent of less than a pint of beer or glass of wine.”

Full story

The Times, 21st April 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Alcohol law claims only one victim – The Times

“Only one person has been found guilty of selling alcohol to a drunk person since the 2003 Licensing Act was introduced, a minister has admitted.”

Full story

The Times, 25th March 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Report warns alcohol abuse and drugs ‘are behind most crimes’ – The Times

“Hard drug use and heavy drinking have been highlighted as key problems for Britain in a study by the Government’s Strategy Unit.”

Full story

The Times, 24th March 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

New powers for police to shut rowdy venues and cut drink-related crime – The Guardian

“Ministers are to give the police and local authorities powers to create ‘alcohol-free zones’ through the wholesale withdrawal of licences from pubs and clubs in city-centre problem areas.”

Full story

The Guardian, 5th March 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Plan to allow road breath tests in court – Daily Telegraph

“Drink-drivers could be prosecuted on the basis of a roadside breath test for the first time as the Government considers dropping the need for motorists to face a back-up test at a police station.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 1st March 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

How single day in court exposed the dominance of Britain’s binge culture – The Times

“The scale of youth binge drinking was exposed yesterday by a single day’s hearings in one court where a dozen teenagers claimed that their separate crimes were all drink fuelled.”

Full story

The Times, 26th February 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Super-strength alcohol to be banned – Daily Telegraph

“Super-strength lager and cider could be cleared from the shelves under council plans to curb binge drinking across England and Wales.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 26th February 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Relaxed pub laws ‘moved crime to early hours’ – Daily Telegraph

“An attempt to create a Continental-style cafe culture by letting pubs and clubs open for longer will be branded a failure in a major Government review, with people drinking more and committing crimes late into the night.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 25th February 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

More than half of 13-year-olds have drunk alcohol, says home secretary – The Guardian

“The majority of Britain’s 13-year-olds have drunk alcohol, marking a worrying ‘tipping point’ for underage drinking, the home secretary, Jacqui Smith, warned yesterday as she promised to step up enforcement action.”

Full story

The Guardian, 7th February 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Police will get power to take alcohol away from children – The Independent

“Police officers will get new powers to confiscate alcohol from children caught drinking under plans to be announced by the Home Secretary later this week.”

Full story

The Independent, 4th February 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Addiction court hears first case – BBC News

“The UK’s first family drug and alcohol court is due to open in London with the aim of helping parents beat addictions so they can keep their children.”

Full story

BBC News, 28th January 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Law change threat to stop binge drinking – Daily Telegraph

“Ministers are threatening to change the law to stop supermarkets advertising beer and wine at bargain prices in a bid to tackle the epidemic of binge drinking sweeping Britain.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 17th January 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

UK’s first drug and alcohol court – BBC News

“Three London councils have combined to set up the UK’s first Family Drug and Alcohol Court.”

Full story 

BBC News, 26th November 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Balls calls for new policies to help ‘tweenagers’ cope with temptation – The Guardian

“A generation of British “tweenagers” – children aged between eight and 13 – are at risk of losing interest in school and experimenting with drugs and alcohol as the problems traditionally associated with teenagers come into effect earlier, a minister warned yesterday.”

Full story

The Guardian, 20th November 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Disability law can protect alcoholic workers – OUT-LAW.com

“Alcoholic workers could receive protection from the Disability Discrimination Act despite the fact that alcoholism is specifically barred from protection, employment experts have said.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 16th November 2007

Source: www.out-law.com

Tighten alcohol laws to protect nation’s health, ethics panel says – The Guardian

“The government should consider making alcohol more expensive and reassess its 24-hour drinking laws to curb serious health problems related to excessive drinking, according to a group of experts.”

Full story

The Guardian, 13th November 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk  

Action on alcohol-related criminal behaviour – Home Office

“Binge drinkers arrested for alcohol-related offences in four areas across the country may be compelled by police to face up to the consequences of their drinking after they have been arrested, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced today.”

Full story

Home Office press release, 16th October 2007

Source: www.homeoffice.gov.uk