Jailed heroin restraint mother Julia Saker loses appeal – BBC News

“A Kent mother who was jailed for tying up her daughter to stop her buying heroin has lost an appeal against her prison sentence.”

Full story

BBC News, 19th April 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Naked burglar fails to get jail sentence overturned – BBC News

“A naked burglar who broke into the homes of two families has failed to persuade judges that his indefinite jail term was unfair.”

Full story

BBC News, 29th March 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Drink drivers lose right to demand blood tests – Daily Telegraph

“Motorists who are marginally over the limit are to lose the right to demand a blood test under the biggest changes to drink-drive law in over 40 years.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 21st March 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Drug-driving detector is a step closer, say ministers – BBC News

“Police forces in Great Britain are a step closer to having a new device to test drivers for drugs.”

Full story

BBC News, 14th January 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ken Clarke’s prison reforms will spare mentally ill offenders jail – The Guardian

“Thousands of criminals with serious mental illnesses or drug addictions will no longer be sent to prison but will instead be offered ‘voluntary’ treatment in hospital, under controversial proposals to be unveiled tomorrow.”

Full story

The Guardian, 7th November 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ricky Hatton stripped of boxing licence – BBC News

“Ricky Hatton has been stripped of his licence to box at a British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) hearing but can still work as a promoter in the sport.”

Full story

BBC News, 24th September 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

George Michael jailed for eight weeks – The Guardian

“George Michael was today sentenced to eight weeks in prison for a drug-driving offence.”

Full story

The Guardian, 14th September 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Woman escapes jail for urinating on memorial – The Independent

“A woman branded ‘Britain’s most disgusting person’ by veterans after she was convicted of urinating on a war memorial was given a suspended sentence today.”

Full story

The Independent, 25th August 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Call for drug users to face civil penalties – The Independent

“Drug users should face civil sanctions such as fines or the loss of their driving licence instead of criminal penalties, a former government drugs adviser said today.”

Full story

The Independent, 27th July 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

NHS Somerset to hold inquiry into killer care home boss – BBC News

“An NHS inquiry is to be held into how a former care home manager in Somerset was able to siphon off prescription drugs from the elderly people she nursed, the BBC can reveal.”

Full story

BBC News, 23rd July 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Judges hear Clarke’s plans for justice – Ministry of Justice

“A sensible review of sentencing policy is long overdue, Kenneth Clarke has told an audience of senior judges.”

Full speech

Ministry of Justice, 14th July 2010

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Man who killed Hertfordshire neighbour for money jailed – BBC News

“A heroin addict who stabbed his 94-year-old neighbour to death has been jailed for a minimum of 29 years.”

Full story

BBC News, 9th July 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Church of England pays damages over abuse claims – BBC News

“The Church of England has paid substantial damages to a woman who claims she was forcibly drugged and sexually abused whilst in the care of a church-run children’s home.”

Full story

BBC News, 7th July 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

UK’s first private prison condemned in report – The Independent

“Britain’s first private prison, opened in the year Ken Clarke was Conservative Home Secretary, was roundly condemned by independent inspectors today.”

Full story

The Independent, 6th July 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

ASBO bans woman from lap dancing, pole dancing and prostitution – Daily Telegraph

“A woman alleged to have driven neighbours out of their homes by her sexual activities has been banned from inviting any men around for the night except for her brothers and the emergency services.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 22nd May 2010

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Care home boss Rachel Baker jailed for killing resident – BBC News

“A former care home manager who stole drugs from residents to feed her own addiction has been jailed for 10 years for killing an elderly woman.”

Full story

BBC News, 21st May 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Man jailed for brutal drug murder – The Independent

“A drug addict was sentenced to life in prison today for murdering a ‘vulnerable’ and ‘much loved’ father-of-three in a ‘vicious and brutal’ attack.”

Full story

The Independent, 13th May 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Care home boss Rachel Baker guilty of manslaughter – BBC News

“A former manager of a Somerset care home has been found guilty of the manslaughter of one its residents.”

Full story

BBC News, 9th April 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Lords back mephedrone ban – The Independent

“A ban on mephedrone and other so-called ‘legal highs’ was backed by the Lords today amid accusations ministers were guilty of a ‘knee-jerk’ response.”

Full story

The Independent, 8th April 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Care home boss Rachel Baker cleared of murdering residents – The Independent

“Former care home manager Rachel Baker was today found not guilty of murdering two of her elderly residents. Baker, 44, was accused of murdering Frances Hay and Lucy Cox at Parkfields Residential Care Home in Butleigh, Somerset. She was cleared of the murder charges and an attempted murder charge involving Mrs Hay by a jury at Bristol Crown Court today.”

Full story

The Independent, 8th April 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Jury still out in care home deaths trial – The Independent

“A jury will resume its deliberations today in the trial of a former care home manager accused of murdering two elderly residents.”

Full story

The Independent, 7th April 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Alan Johnson orders swift review of drugs advice body – The Guardian

“The Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, has placed the future of the expert body at the centre of the row over drugs policy in doubt by ordering a swift review of how it operates, the Guardian has learned.”

Full story

The Guardian, 3rd November 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Chief drugs adviser sacked by Home Secretary – Daily Telegraph

“Alan Johnson, the Home Secretary, has sacked his chief drugs adviser, Professor David Nutt, after he criticised the reclassification of cannabis and said alcohol and cigarettes were more dangerous than ecstasy.”

Full story

The Daily Telegraph, 30th October 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Drugs test for claimants sparks row over unemployment benefits – The Guardian

“Controversial government plans to allow Jobcentre staff to ‘order’ benefit claimants to undergo tests for drug and alcohol dependency are in breach of European law and unlikely to work, according to leading addiction charities.”

Full story

The Guardian, 27th September 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Drug-using killer driver jailed – BBC News

“A driver has been jailed for killing a cyclist while over the drink-drive limit and under the influence of drugs.”

Full story

BBC News, 8th June 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Jacqui Smith to ban ‘legal high’ drugs – The Guardian

“The home secretary, Jacqui Smith, is to ban two ‘legal highs’ and a range of ­anabolic steroids in preparation for the London 2012 Olympics.”

Full story

The Guardian, 21st May 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Rise in use of drug tests to sack staff without redundancy pay – The Guardian

“Employers are increasingly using drug testing to get rid of staff without having to make redundancy payouts, as a way of ­cutting costs during the recession, a ­charity has said.”

Full story

The Guardian, 18th May 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Regina v Evans (Gemma) – Times Law Reports

Regina v Evans (Gemma)

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

“For the purposes of gross negligence manslaughter, when a person had created or contributed to the creation of a state of affairs which he knew, or ought to have known had become life-threatening to another person, a consequent duty would normally arise on him to act by taking reasonable steps to save the other’s life.”

The Times, 7th April 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Heroin death jail appeal rejected – BBC News

“The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by a woman who failed to call for medical help while her half-sister was dying of a heroin overdose.”

Full story

BBC News, 2nd April 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Teenage criminals committing repeated crimes because of drug habit could get single caution – Daily Telegraph

“Teenage criminals who commit repeated crimes because of a drug habit could get only a single caution to cover all their offences under new Government rules.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 7th March 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Father jailed for taking on drug dealer – Daily Telegraph

“A father was jailed for storming into a drug dealer’s home and flushing his heroin stash down the toilet.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 17th February 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Recovering drug addict walks free from court after 145 crimes – Daily Telegraph

“A recovering drug addict who owned up to 145 crimes has walked free from court after a judge ruled his ‘substantial progress’ earned him the right to rehabilitate in freedom.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 5th January 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Simms v Islington London Borough Council – Times Law Reports

Simms v Islington London Borough Council

Court of Appeal

“The risk that a recovering drug addict’s relapse might be caused by his homelessness did not entitle him to be treated as having a priority need for accommodation.”

The Times, 3rd December 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.

Drug use declines as seizures reach record – The Guardian

“Illicit drug use in Britain is declining, with cannabis use at its lowest level for 10 years and cocaine also down, according to British Crime Survey figures published yesterday. The estimated falls in drug consumption are matched by a 15% rise in seizures of all classes of drugs by the police and customs in England and Wales to 186,028 – a level not seen since 1973.”

Full story

The Guardian, 31st October 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

St George v Home Office – Times Law Reports

St George v Home Office

Court of Appeal

“An addict who was injured in custody after suffering a seizure through drugs withdrawal did not contribute to his injury as his addiction was not a potent cause of the damage.”

The Times, 22nd October 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.

Knife killer must serve 16 years – BBC News

“A drug addict who stabbed a 75-year-old man to death in a random attack in Bristol has been told he must serve at least 16 years in prison.”

Full story 

BBC News, 17th October 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Cannabis murderer jailed for life – BBC News

“A cannabis user who stabbed his girlfriend to death after becoming convinced she was part of a plot to kill him has been jailed for murder.”

Full story

BBC News, 16th October 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

St George v Home Office – WLR Daily

St George v Home Office [2008] EWCA Civ 1068; [2008] WLR (D) 309

“When a person who was an addict suffered a seizure while he was in custody as a result of withdrawal from addiction, and then fell and suffered injury, regard was to be had, when considering the claimant’s possible contributory negligence and whether the resulting damage was the result ‘partly of his own fault’, to the question whether the addiction was a ‘potent cause’ of the damage.”

WLR Daily, 9th October 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.

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

Date rape chemicals may be banned – Daily Telegraph

“Two chemicals which can be used as date rape drugs will be banned, under plans announced by ministers.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 8th August 2008

Source: www.telegraph.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

Chambers fails to have Olympic ban overturned – The Guardian

“Sprinter unsuccessful in bid to compete in Beijing Games.”

Full story

The Guardian, 18th July 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Police criticised over Whitear drug death – The Guardian

“The family of heroin addict Rachel Whitear yesterday vowed to continue to fight to find out how she died after an official report concluded that police botched the initial investigation into her death.”

Full story

The Guardian, 18th July 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Jails crackdown on drugs and phones – The Guardian

“New security devices, including hand-held mobile-phone blockers and metal-detecting chairs are to be introduced in prisons in England and Wales by March to crack down on the supply of illicit drugs into jails, it was announced yesterday.”

Full story

The Guardian, 8th July 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Technology to tackle prison drugs – BBC News

“A report is to be published into ways of preventing drugs being smuggled into prisons in England and Wales.”

Full story

BBC News, 7th July 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Sharp rise in prison drug seizures – Daily Telegraph

“The amount of drugs seized in British prisons has increased sharply, new have figures revealed.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 22nd June 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Heroin family death pair jailed – BBC News

“The mother and half-sister of a teenage heroin overdose victim have been jailed for a total of six years.”

Full story

BBC News, 19th May 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Mother guilty over heroin death – BBC News

“The mother of a teenager who died of a heroin overdose has been found guilty at Swansea Crown Court of her manslaughter through gross negligence.”

Full story

BBC News, 17th April 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Head teachers to get powers to ‘stop and search’ for drugs – The Times

“Schools are set to to be given further powers to search pupils for drugs, alcohol and stolen goods to help head teachers to enforce discipline among the most disruptive students.”

Full story

The Times, 28th 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

Drug addicts ‘should not be locked up’ – The Independent

“Too many minor criminals with drug problems are being jailed and then receive poor treatment in prison, a damning report warns today.”

Full story

The Independent, 17th March 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Bar Chairman Calls For Policy Change: Boost in Drugs Rehabilitation Programmes to Tackle Offending Before it Happens – The Bar Council

“Extra resources should be ploughed into prisons’ drugs rehabilitation programmes, the Chairman of the Bar said today.”

Full story

The Bar Council, 11th March 2008

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Cash aid to help grandparents care for children in drug-risk families – The Guardian

“Grandparents are to be given financial support and legal backing to make it easier for them to take over the care of children with parents who are problem drug users, under government plans revealed yesterday. The package includes the government’s intention to dock the welfare benefits of unemployed problem users who fail to make contact with treatment services. Ministers intend to announce more steps linking benefit rights to completing treatment courses.”

Full story

The Guardian, 28th February 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Benefit cuts for addicts who shun rehab – The Independent

“Jobless drug addicts who refuse to be treated for their habit face having their benefit cut, the Government will announce today.”

Full story

The Independent, 27th February 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Drugged driver jailed for ‘horrific’ crash – The Guardian

“A drugged driver who ploughed into six shoppers in central London, causing injuries that forced a mother and daughter to have their right legs amputated, was today jailed for four years.”

Full story

The Guardian, 30th January 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk