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CPS News Centre

Criminal cases prosecuted by the CPS are in the news every day, along with a range of issues relating to our work – from violence against women and girls and hate crime, to support for victims and witnesses, statistics and speeches.

To ensure greater openness in the reporting of criminal proceedings, the CPS, the police and media representatives developed a joint protocol for working together. We are currently consulting on an updated joint protocol. For more details and to have your say, go here.

Here you can find our latest news stories and search for others. You can also find additional details about a number of high-profile cases and the work of the CPS.

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Media enquiries

National, international and specialist media should contact the main 24-hour press office.

Local media should contact their Area Communications Manager during normal working hours.

Latest news
Showing 1 - 10 of 49 results for area "South East"

Conviction over stranger rape at Hastings home

A man who attacked a complete stranger at her home in Hastings, after forcing his way in, has been found guilty of rape and attempted rape.

| Press Release , Sexual offences , South East News

Extended prison sentence for murderer

Andrew Griggs was sentenced to an additional three years in prison after admitting to perverting the course of justice when he asked one of his sons to exhume his murdered wife's body.

| Press Release , Violent crime , South East News

Murder conviction over “long-standing grudge”

A convicted criminal has been found guilty of murdering the man he blamed for sending him to prison.

| Press Release , Violent crime , South East News

Man convicted of rape and controlling or coercive behaviour

A man who controlled women over a four-year period has been convicted of a string of charges, including rape, controlling or coercive behaviour, and actual bodily harm.

| Press Release , Violent crime, Domestic abuse, Sexual offences , South East News

Gang sentenced over vehicle “chop shop” in Surrey

Five men have been sentenced to a total of five years for their roles in running a vehicle “chop shop” in Surrey with the stolen vehicles and parts estimated to be worth around £750,000.

| Press Release , Fraud and economic crime , South East News

Woman convicted of murdering husband

A woman has been found guilty of murdering her husband, after his body was found in a holdall in the garden of the property where they lived in Canterbury, Kent.

| Press Release , Violent crime , South East News

Man jailed for life for Claire Knights murder

A man who murdered a lone woman walking her dog on an isolated footpath in Kent has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 25 years.

| Press Release , Violent crime , South East News

Driver jailed for fatal high-speed crash

A man who caused the death of a woman in a high-speed crash has been jailed. 

Jack Cracknell, 22, was driving with four other passengers in his car in the early hours of the morning on 3 December 2022. 

| Press Release , Driving offences , South East News

Man convicted of murder after driving over man

A man who deliberately drove over another man following a fight has been convicted of his murder.

| Press Release , Violent crime , South East News

Jail for killer driver who fled crash scene

A driver who fled the scene of a high-speed crash in Surrey, leaving one woman dead and two other people seriously injured, has been jailed for 15 years.

| Press Release , Driving offences , South East News

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In-depth - a deeper look at high-profile cases and the work of the CPS

Articles and speeches

Read articles and speeches from the CPS on matters of relevance to the Criminal Justice System

Articles and Speeches

CPS Says

The CPS position on major issues in the news, our response to inaccuracies in media reports and our letters to the media.

CPS Says...

Please note that our Press Office is NOT able to deal with issues or queries from members of the public - these contact details are for accredited journalists ONLY. Do not call this number unless you a member of the press. For all general enquiries, please visit contact.cps.gov.uk.

If you are a national or international journalist with a media enquiry, you can contact the CPS Press Office on 020 3357 0906 or email cps.pressoffice@cps.gov.uk (9am-5pm weekdays only).

For out-of-hours media enquiries please call 020 3357 0906 to reach the duty press officer.

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Cymru/Wales
Richard Paull
Email: richard.paull@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 02920 803950

East Midlands
Graham Buchanan
Email: Graham.Buchanan@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 0115 852 3343

East of England
Gillian Andrews
Email: gillian.andrews@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 01245 455027

London (North and South)
Wendy Wyeth or Molly Barker
Email: london.communications@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 02380 673873

Mersey-Cheshire
Jackie Rand
Email: jackie.rand@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 0151 239 6334

North East
Chris Black
Email: chris.black@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 0191 260 4216

North West
Kerry Bell
Email: kerry.bell@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 0161 827 4705

South East
Cheryl Pendry
Email: cheryl.pendry@cps.gov.uk
Telephones: 01227 655862 / 07876 390054

South West
Gary Cockram
Email: gary.cockram@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 0117 930 2968

Thames and Chiltern
Angie Patton
Email: Angie.Patton@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 01189 513625

Wessex
Wessex Communications
Email: wessex.communications@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 02380 673873

West Midlands
Kofo Baptist
Email: kofo.baptist@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 0203 357 0625

Yorkshire and Humberside
Elizabeth Ogborn
Email: elizabeth.ogborn@cps.gov.uk
Telephones: 0113 290 2839 / 07500 835186

Our social media policy

If you follow us on social media, you can expect posts covering some or all of the following:

  • Operational updates on decisions to prosecute or take no further action;
  • Reactions and statements on trial outcomes;
  • Policy updates from the Director of Public Prosecutions and other prosecutors;
  • Updates on media appearances by CPS staff
  • Content that explains the role of the CPS and how we work
  • Highlighting of relevant work by our criminal justice partners and other stakeholders

We will aim to be fair and accurate in all the information we publish. We will aim to correct any inaccuracies as soon as possible.

We are unable to monitor social media round the clock. We are not able to engage with all those who seek a response from us due to resources but also due to privacy and the sensitive nature of some of our work. The best way to contact the CPS is through our website.

Please do not try to report crime using social media. To report crime, please call 101 or visit your local police station. In an emergency, always call 999.

If you follow us on social media we will not automatically follow you back. Being followed by us does not imply endorsement of any kind.

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