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Decision to Charge

Once the Police have completed their investigations, they will refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service for advice on how to proceed. We will then make a decision on whether a suspect should be charged, and what that charge should be.

Find out more about how we decide whether to charge a suspect

Find out more about private prosecutions

Prosecuting Violent Crime

Violent crime covers a wide range of offences including:

These crimes are extremely rare, they account for only about 1% of all crime. Yet they cause significant harm, both to individual victims and their families in terms of physical injury and psychological trauma, and to society more widely in terms of fear. We are committed to prosecuting violent crimes efficiently and effectively.

Prosecuting Homicide

Murder and manslaughter are two of the offences that constitute homicide.

Manslaughter can be committed in one of three ways:

  1. killing with the intent for murder but where there is provocation, diminished responsibility or a suicide pact.
  2. conduct that was grossly negligent given the risk of death, and resulted in death.
  3. conduct, taking the form of an unlawful act involving a danger of some harm, that caused death.

With some exceptions, the crime of murder is committed, where a person:

  • of sound mind and discretion (i.e. sane):
  • unlawfully kills (i.e. not self-defence or other justified killing)
  • any reasonable creature (human being)
  • in being (born alive and breathing through its own lungs)
  • under the Queen's Peace
  • with intent to kill or cause grievous bodily harm.

There are other specific homicide offences, for example, infanticide, causing death by dangerous driving, and corporate manslaughter.

Find out more about prosecuting homicide

Home » News Centre » Press Statements » CPS authorises charge in Salford shooting case

CPS authorises charge in Salford shooting case

01/01/2012

A man has been charged with the murder of Indian student Anuj Bidve.

Anuj was shot shortly before 1.35am on Monday 26 December 2011, as he walked along Ordsall Lane, Salford.

Nazir Afzal, Chief Crown Prosecutor, CPS North West Area said: "This is a continuing, thorough and particularly complex investigation which, in my view, has been handled by GMP with utmost professionalism and dedication. Rarely are so many challenges overcome without their tireless efforts.

"I can now announce that the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the police to charge Kiaran Stapleton, a 20-year-old man from Salford, with the murder of Mr Anuj Bidve on Boxing Day 2011. There is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.

"Mr Stapleton will appear before Manchester City Magistrates Court in the morning.

"Now that he has been charged, I must remind everyone that he is entitled to a fair trial and any reporting must not prejudice his trial.

"Finally, prosecutors and police officers remain determined to deliver justice for Mr Bidve's family and friends. They have our deepest condolences."