R v Seddon – WLR Daily

R v Seddon; [2009] WLR (D) 88

“In a European arrest warrant which sought a defendant’s return to this jurisdiction as a convicted person for the extradition offence of blackmail an allegation that the defendant was unlawfully at large and in breach of bail did not amount to ‘an offence disclosed by the information provided … in respect of’ the offence of blackmail for the purposes of s 146(3)(b) of the Extradition Act 2003.”

WLR Daily, 11th March 2009

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.

Terror suspects win bail battle – BBC News

“The government has decided not to appeal against a court ruling freeing four of five terrorist suspects jailed pending a bail hearing.”

Full story 

BBC News, 27th February 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Suburban bail hostels a ’success’ – BBC News

“A controversial scheme to house bailed and tagged defendants and inmates in residential areas may be expanded, Justice Minister David Hanson has said.”

Full story 

BBC News, 26th January 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Private bail hostels being set up in residential areas on the quiet – The Times

“Hundreds of bail hostels are being opened in residential neighbourhoods without public consultation as part of moves to ease jail overcrowding. “

Full story

The Times, 7th January 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Radical Muslim cleric Abu Qatada returned to jail for breaching bail terms – Daily Telegraph

“Radical Muslim cleric Abu Qatada has been returned to jail after an immigration court ruled he breached the terms of his bail.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 2nd December 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Charging suspects – why it’s a job for prosecutors – The Times

“Criminal suspects remain on bail for weeks or even months before being charged because of complex, inefficient and inconsistent charging practices, a new report today concludes. In one exceptional case, the time from arrest to charge was more than a year, at 369 days after arrest, although the average was 41.3 days, and suspects were regularly ‘rebailed’.”

Full story

The Times,27th November 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Radical preacher Abu Qatada to face court over alleged bid to flee Britain – The Guardian

“The radical preacher, Abu Qatada, will appear before immigration judges on Wednesday accused of breaching his strict bail conditions in an attempt to flee Britain.”

Full story

The Guardian, 10th November 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

No need to change bail laws, say judges – Daily Telegraph

“But what we do need is a change of culture among police and prosecutors, with much better enforcement of existing bail conditions.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 20th October 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Responses to Ministry of Justice consultation paper: Bail and Murder – Judiciary of England and Wales

“Responses to Ministry of Justice consultation paper: Bail and Murder.”

Full responses

Judiciary of England and Wales, 15th October 2008

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

‘Green suffragette’ is freed despite breach of bail conditions – The Independent

“Tamsin Omond, the aristocratic founder of the environmentalist campaign group that tried to break into the Houses of Parliament on Monday evening, narrowly escaped jail yesterday after a judge decided not to keep her on remand despite a breach of bail conditions which forbade her from going near Westminster.”

Full story

The Independent, 15th October 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Crime: Tories reveal plan to get tough on bail system – The Guardian

“The Conservatives today step up their campaign against lax bail policy by pledging to make the release of violent and persistent offenders more difficult – and make public safety a factor in all bail decisions.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th August 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Regina v Noble – Times Law Reports

Regina v Noble

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

“Defendants who failed to attend court in response to a summons should not be convicted and sentenced for offences under the Bail Act 1976 or for contempt of court if they were not on bail and/or had received no notice of the summons.”

The Times, 21st July 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication. 

Lord Chief Justice defends judiciary against ‘ill-informed attacks’ – The Times

“Britain’s most senior judge last night hit back at ‘ill-informed attacks’ on judges, particularly over granting bail.”

Full story

The Times, 16th July 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Immigration: Bail bonds and electronic tags proposed for illegal migrants – The Guardian

“Illegal migrants awaiting deportation from Britain will be required to provide ‘large bail bonds’ and wear electronic tags to avoid detention, under Home Office legislation unveiled yesterday.”

Full story

The Guardian, 15th July 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

24-hour bail curfew for terrorist suspect linked to Bin Laden – The Guardian

“The hiding place of a leading terror suspect was inadvertently released by Justice Ministry officials last night after he was freed from jail under unprecedented bail conditions. The man, who can be identified only as U, was released from Long Lartin, Worcestershire, after the appeal court ruled there was no reason to hold him indefinitely as he could not be deported to his native Algeria.”

Full story

The Guardian, 4th July 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Addict who murdered had been freed on bail – The Guardian

“Police last night criticised prosecutors for failing to charge a crack addict accused of rape who went on to sexually assault and murder a woman a week after being released from custody.”

Full story

The Guardian, 28th June 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Terror charge student given bail – BBC News

“A student accused of not telling police of an alleged suicide-bomb plot has been released on conditional bail.”

Full story

BBC News, 24th June 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Bail and murder – Ministry of Justice

“This consultation asks whether the rules governing the enforcement of bail conditions and the grant of bail to suspects charged with murder should be revised in the light of recent cases of murder and manslaughter committed by persons on bail. It examines the issues surrounding the grant of bail and the possible options available for recalibrating the law or procedures to provide a greater emphasis on public safety.”

Consultation paper (PDF)

List of questions for response (Word)

Ministry of Justice, 17th June 2008

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Legal Opinion: Labour’s review of the right to bail chips away at justice – The Independent

“When a judge releases a murderer to kill again there is bound to be a public outcry. But, asks Robert Verkaik, Law Editor, is justice always served by a knee-jerk reaction?”

Full story

The Independent, 18th June 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk

‘Bin Laden lieutenant’ Abu Qatada freed on bail – The Times

“Abu Qatada, the radical Muslim cleric described as one of Osama bin Laden’s right-hand men, was freed from jail last night under some of the most stringent bail conditions ever imposed by a British court.”

Full story

The Times, 18th June 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Bail for crime suspects reviewed – BBC News

“A review of bail laws is to be launched later, following concern about crimes committed by suspects released while they await trial.”

Full story

BBC News, 17th June 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Almost 70,000 criminal suspects fail to answer bail – Daily Telegraph

“More than 67,000 criminal suspects fail to answer bail every year, new figures have disclosed.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 6th June 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Defying convention – Law Society’s Gazette

“Releasing the ‘truly dangerous’ Abu Qatada on bail raises fundamental questions about Britain’s approach to confronting terrorism.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 15th May 2008

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Second terror suspect wins bail – BBC News

“A tribunal has ruled a second counter-terrorism detainee, known only as ‘OO’, should be released.”

Full story

BBC News, 9th May 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Osama bin Laden’s ‘right-hand man’ Abu Qatada wins bail fight – The Times

“An extremist Muslim cleric regarded as Osama bin Laden’s ’spiritual ambassador in Europe’ must be released on bail, a judge ruled yesterday.”

Full story

The Times, 9th May 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Paedophile hostel ban criticised – BBC News

“A ban on paedophiles being housed in hostels near schools undermined public protection, a report has said.”

Full story

BBC News, 28th March 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

One more chance for addict with 175 crimes – Daily Telegraph

“A serial petty thief convicted for the 175th time at a total cost to the taxpayer of more than £700,000, has been spared jail despite carrying out her latest crime while on bail.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 28th March 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Tighten controls on bail in murder and serious offences, ministers told – The Times

“Tighter curbs on the granting of bail to suspects in murder cases and other crimes is called for in a report being considered by ministers, The Times has learnt.”

Full story

The Times, 26th March 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Bail suspects commit one in six murders – Daily Telegraph

“One in six murders was committed last year by someone who was out on bail for another offence, figures disclosed suggest.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 24th March 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Policeman on bail ‘planned to kill others’ – The Guardian

“A police inspector who was bailed on a charge of murdering his wife and then went on to shoot his mother-in-law may have been planning to kill other members of his family, an inquest heard yesterday.”

Full story

The Guardian, 19th March 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Man jailed after court escape bid – BBC News

“A man who jumped from a court dock to escape custody was tackled to the ground by a police officer, a judge heard before jailing him for 28 months.”

Full story

BBC News, 5th March 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Demand for stricter bail after 60 on murder charges go free – The Guardian

“Scores of murder suspects have been freed on bail after being charged, according to new government figures which yesterday prompted Tory calls for the introduction of tougher bail laws.”

Full story

The Guardian, 25th February 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Brother keeps murder bail cash – BBC News

“The brother of a man who is thought to have killed himself and his mother-in-law while awaiting trial will not lose his £200,000 bail bond.”

Full story

BBC News, 18th February 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘Killer’ policeman breached bail condition – The Independent

“A judge released a senior police officer accused of murder on bail despite feeling it was a ‘very borderline decision’, it was revealed today.”

Full story

The Independent, 31st January 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Bail hearing ‘properly conducted’ – BBC News

“A judge’s decision to grant bail to a murder suspect was ‘properly conducted’ a coroner has said.”

Full story

BBC News, 29th January 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Straw in talks over bail murder – BBC News

“Justice Secretary Jack Straw is to meet the family of a murdered man to discuss why his killer was out on bail.”

Full story

BBC News, 25th January 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Out to cause harm – Law Society’s Gazette

“Two high-profile cases have focused public attention on a defendant’s right to bail.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 24th January 2008

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Four out of five violent crime suspects bailed – Daily Telegraph

“Almost 75,000 violent crime suspects, including 10,000 sex offenders, were freed on bail last year.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 23rd January 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Teenage killer was on bail after committing seven offences – The Guardian

“The leader of the gang that kicked and beat Garry Newlove to death was released on bail despite having admitted to carrying out seven separate offences in the year leading up to the murder.”

Full story

The Guardian, 18th January 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Straw supports the courts after bail row over Newlove murderer – The Times

“Jack Straw came to the defence of judges and magistrates faced with controversial bail decisions last night, as it emerged that a teenager who killed Garry Newlove had been bailed ten hours earlier.”

Full story

The Times, 18th January 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Bail case ‘matter for judiciary’ – BBC News

“The Attorney General will not investigate a judge who freed a Met Police inspector who then apparently killed himself and his mother-in-law.”

Full story

BBC News, 15th January 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Judge in murder case bail row – The Times

“A judge who freed a policeman accused of murdering his wife, enabling him apparently to kill again, said yesterday that he could not remember why he had granted bail.”

Full story

The Times, 15th January 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Bail rules inquiry after officer on murder charge kills himself and trial witness – The Guardian

“The Ministry of Justice said last night it will urgently review its guidance to judges in the wake of the tragic consequences of a decision to grant bail to a senior police officer accused of murdering his wife.”

Full story

The Guardian, 14th January 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Tagging blunder in teenage killer case – Daily Telegraph

A teenager who stabbed a friend to death after a drunken party should have been under curfew and wearing an electronic tag, it was disclosed yesterday.

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 19th December 2007
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Failure to surrender to bail- Sentencing Guidelines Council

“Council publishes advice to sentencers on bail offences.”

Full guidelines

Sentencing Guidelines Council, 29th November 2007

Source: www.sentencing-guidelines.gov.uk/

Gault v United Kingdom (Application No 127/05) – Times Law Reports

Gault v United Kingdom (Application No 127/05)

European Court of Human Rights

“The Court of Appeal of Northern Ireland was in breach of the European Convention of Human Rights in refusing bail, when the prosecution did not object, to a mother of triplets pending retrial on a charge of murder.”

The Times, 28th November 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Please note: the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication

Bail hearing held in private to protect the victim – The Times

“A bail hearing this week involving one of two men alleged to be involved in a gay sex-and-drugs blackmail plot will be held in private — against the principle of open justice in the courts.”

Full story

The Times, 30th October 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Barrymore to answer police bail – BBC News

“Michael Barrymore is to answer bail later after he was quizzed by police over the death of a man found dead by a swimming pool at his former home.”

Full story

BBC News, 9th September 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Man facing trial on 21/7 charge – BBC News

“A man charged in connection with the failed 21 July 2005 bombings in London has been committed for trial.”

Full story

BBC News, 16th August 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Doubts rise over electronic tags – Daily Telegraph

“Breaches of court-imposed bail curfews involving electronic tags quadrupled last year while attempts to remove or tamper with them nearly doubled, according to new figures.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 25th July 2007

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk