Successes of the Month November 2012

Contents

• Sara French achieves justice for a victim with learning disabilities
• Rosemary Ainslie and Jayne Oldroyd - supporting a victim's family through a difficult prosecution
• Making Hull a better place to be - Yvette Levy, Jane Wilson, Heather Levett, Fiona Bolder, Debbie Sanders, Vanessa Crossley, Sally Robinson, Vicky Mills, Karen Quantick, Rebecca Dolby, Andrew Vaughan, James Gott, John Owston and Brian Clark

Senior Crown Prosecutor Sara French, CPS East of England

Helping a victim with learning disabilities give evidence and gain justice

Senior Crown Prosecutor Sara French, based in Essex, enabled a victim with considerable learning disabilities not only to give compelling evidence in court but also demonstrated to the court that he had been targeted as a victim because of his disabilities by someone who knew him and thought he would not be able to go through with a trial.

The victim, a 41-year-old man, was getting into his car in April 2012 when he was approached by a 15-year-old youth whom he knew well. It was alleged that the youth accused the victim of owing him money and that, if he did not give him the chain he was wearing, he would be assaulted.

The abuser was identified by the victim but pleaded not guilty and the case went to trial.

At Sara's request an intermediary sat with the victim in the witness box throughout the trial. The victim had real challenges when giving evidence and had difficulty with the order of events and some of the essential details. However, Sara's perseverance enabled him to give a satisfactory account and the case was proved.

Glen Cocker, District Crown Prosecutor for the South West Essex team, said: "Although there was sufficient evidence, Sara faced the challenge of getting the victim to give evidence in the intimidating surroundings of court. Thanks to Sara's determined and sensitive handling of this disability hate crime, the defendant was sentenced to 12 months. After the trial the magistrates' legal advisor went out of her way to praise Sara for her handling of the prosecution."

Rosemary Ainslie, Senior Specialist Prosecutor, and Jayne Oldroyd, Paralegal Officer - CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division (SC&CTD)

Balancing compassion and support with objectivity and professionalism

Rosemary Ainslie and Jayne Oldroyd dealt with a difficult case of gross negligence manslaughter. George Collier was sentenced to two years' imprisonment over the death of three-year-old Meg Burgess, who died after a wall built by Mr Collier collapsed on top of her.

His company, Parcol Developments Ltd, had previously pleaded guilty to failing to discharge a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The defence suggested that Mr Collier could also have been charged with a health and safety offence instead of the gravest charge he could face but, as Rosemary says: "Mr Collier was responsible for the design and construction of the wall but did not make sure it was built to safe standards, nor did he prevent members of the public from walking past it, with terrible consequences".

Rosemary and Jayne's real success in this case, however, was in the care, compassion and support that they gave Mr and Mrs Burgess throughout the trial. The family expressed their gratitude on more than one occasion, including writing a moving letter of thanks just before the verdict.

Sue Hemming, Head of SC&CTD, said: "The support that both Rosemary and Jayne showed to the family did not in any way compromise the objectivity, thoroughness and professionalism which they both showed throughout the prosecution.

"It is an important part of our role to ensure that victims and families who have suffered such grief are not subjected to further distress by the criminal justice process itself. I am extremely proud of the way in which Rosemary and Jayne supported Mr and Mrs Burgess and the difference that they made."

Yvette Levy, Community Team Prosecutor, with prosecutors Jane Wilson, Heather Levett, Fiona Bolder, Debbie Sanders, Vanessa Crossley, Sally Robinson, Vicky Mills, Karen Quantick, Rebecca Dolby, Andrew Vaughan, James Gott, John Owston, and Brian Clark - CPS Yorkshire and Humberside

Dramatically reducing crime with Drink Banning Orders

The impact Community Team Prosecutor Yvette Levy has had on one city centre has led to a safer city for all to enjoy. Thanks to Yvette's intervention and her partnership approach with Humberside Police, alcohol-related offending has reduced by 93 per cent amongst those with Drink Banning Orders (DBOs).

Last year Yvette began work with Humberside Police to tackle this issue. Following the recent introduction of DBOs, Yvette had a new tool in her armoury and has used it widely. Within seven months she was recognised as a 'Success of the Month' when the DBOs led to a drop in city centre alcohol-fuelled crime.

Since then 102 DBOs have been issued in Hull preventing people with a history of alcohol-related offending from entering certain parts of the city centre.

Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Gerry Wareham commented: "Yvette's approach to tackling alcohol-related offending demonstrates the impact the CPS can have in preventing crime. She has been proactive, determined and creative.

"Yvette has been supported by thirteen other prosecutors in securing these orders. I am really proud of all of them and the difference they've made to the lives of the citizens of Hull."

Humberside Police's Alcohol Offender Manager Keith Lamplough commented: "I recently wrote to the CPS to thank these prosecutors for their advice and support in securing DBOs. Since February 2011 we have attained 102 DBOs which has had a significant impact on reducing alcohol related offending within the city centre."