Posted in Legal Profession, Sentencing on October 9, 2007 | 4 Comments »
Dear Diary,
The Daily Mail (such an ironic title in these days of postal strikes) carries a long article about Brucie. It recites the story and includes new tidbits, such as the fact that a psychologist diagnosed a depressive illness. If so, that demonstrates a remarkable degree of expertise in psychiatry: or alternatively demonstrates that Mr [...]
Posted in Legal Profession, Sentencing on September 24, 2007 | 1 Comment »
Dear Diary,
How good it is to see that sweet little Marcel reads you regularly. Of course, an attribution would have been both pleasant and proper but, as Father always said, what can one expect of the Guardian?
The alternative is that both darling Marcie and I share the same view. If so, then I must re-examine [...]
Posted in Corruption, Legal Profession, Sentencing on September 19, 2007 | 8 Comments »
Dear Diary,
The scores on the doors are in and the fat lady has sung. Most importantly, The Recorder of Bristol, His Honour Judge Tom Crowther QC has spoken. Brucie has got 12 months. In my view that is merciful. Even though there will have been personal mitigation, the willingness to ensure that someone else went to [...]
Posted in Corruption, Legal Profession, Sentencing on September 18, 2007 | 2 Comments »
Dear Diary,
Whilst I eagerly await tomorrow and shall do my best to be first with the news of Brucie’s sentence I note that Doughty Street Chambers is sticking like glue to its policy of freedom of information and access for all by, uummm not commenting. Strange.
It also seems that Brucie was not kicked out, but was [...]
Posted in Corruption, Legal Profession, Sentencing on September 9, 2007 | 2 Comments »
Dear Diary,
Whilst Brucie awaits his fate, what of his Chambers?
It is not simply that Doughty Street Chambers prides itself on its commitment to human rights. Its members have also written articles explaining freedom of information, announced its victory for free speech, trumpeted its work protecting sources and published its very own statement of values (lest, presumably, it be [...]
Posted in Politics, Sentencing on August 31, 2007 | No Comments »
Dear Diary,
The two Jackies have produced a wonderful plan regarding the prison population. This country already leads Europe in the percentage of people it locks up (save of course for the savages of Luxembourg) and the Government is anxious that we should soon challenge the United States. Of course, dear Diary, what information there is [...]
Posted in Corruption, Sentencing on August 28, 2007 | 10 Comments »
Dear Diary,
It appears that Mr Bruce Hyman of counsel is on his way to prison. He decided that his client’s case would be assisted if Mr Hyman were to create a fake Judgment and send it to the father of the children in the custody dispute in which Mr Hyman was instructed. He sent it [...]
Posted in Criminal Legislation, Politics, Sentencing on August 26, 2007 | 13 Comments »
Dear Diary,
I have been so very busy recently that I am afraid I have quite neglected you. But it has been such fun. As you can see, I have had my portrait painted. Is it not delicious? Mr Stubbs is so gifted and so kind. He said that I was as beautiful an example of [...]
Posted in Politics, Sentencing, Terrorism on July 27, 2007 | 6 Comments »
Dear Diary
I am feeling truly conflicted about this. On the one hand, these are dangerous people who have forgotten basic humanity. On the other hand, the courts are interfering in these peoples’ beliefs. Why should British Citizens not be able to fight abroad? If they fight British soldiers, why is that not treason? If it [...]
Posted in AG's guidelines, Sentencing on June 20, 2007 | No Comments »
Requried reading for all Crown Court prosecution advocates, these guidelines come into effect on 25th June 2007.
“In all cases before the Crown Court, and in cases before the Magistrates Court where the issues are complex and there is scope for misunderstanding, the prosecution must commit to writing the aggravating and mitigating features that will form [...]
