Minggu, 31 Juli 2022

Man charged with murdering nine-year-old girl in Lincolnshire - Sky News

A man has been charged with murdering nine-year-old Lillia Valutyte in Lincolnshire.

Deividas Skebas, 22, was arrested by police two days after Lillia was found dead after being stabbed in Boston at about 6.20pm on Thursday.

Lincolnshire Police say the Lithuanian national, of Thorold Street, Boston, is due to appear at Lincoln Magistrates' Court, on Monday.

Officers arrested Skebas in the Central Park area of Boston at around 2.45pm on Saturday following "a combination of intelligence and information supplied by members of the public".

Chief Superintendent Martyn Parker said: "This is a heartbreaking case that has affected many people in Boston, and further afield.

"Our thoughts continue to be with Lilia's family at this exceptionally difficult time.

"The response to such a devastating incident has involved committing significant resources to the investigation, and engaging with people in Boston who are understandably shocked by Lilia's death."

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Lillia had reportedly been playing with her younger sister on the street just yards away from an office where their mother was working.

The girls had a hula-hoop, and a toy pram was left at the scene, according to locals.

Home Secretary Priti Patel has described Lillia's death as "appalling".

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2022-07-31 19:01:38Z
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Rishi Sunak pledges NHS no-show fines as Liz Truss vows school reform - BBC

Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak in Stoke-on-TrentPA Media

Conservative leadership hopeful Rishi Sunak has said he would introduce a £10 fine for patients who repeatedly miss GP or hospital appointments.

Mr Sunak told the Sunday Telegraph he wanted to be "transformational" and "do something brave and... different".

His rival Liz Truss meanwhile unveiled plans to ensure students who get top grades would automatically be invited to apply to Oxford or Cambridge.

"I can be trusted to deliver as the education prime minister," she said.

The two final candidates for party leader - and PM - are setting out their policies and visions as Conservative members prepare to receive their ballots from Monday.

Ms Truss has released a six-point plan targeting reform in the education sector, saying she wants to give "every child the tools they need to succeed".

Among the foreign secretary's proposals is widening access to Oxford, Cambridge and other top universities, and putting less emphasis on predicted grades.

Details on how the highest achieving students would be automatically invited for an interview are scant, and it is unclear how the policy would work in practice.

She added that she wants to expand existing academy schools that are high performing, and replace failing establishments with free schools. She also indicated she would end a ban on new grammar schools in England.

No-show fines

Mr Sunak, meanwhile, has set out his plans to target NHS no-shows, telling the Sunday Telegraph that patients will be given the "benefit of the doubt" the first time they miss an appointment, but further absences would incur a £10 charge.

He said the system would be "temporary" as Covid backlogs are cleared.

The former chancellor gave few details of how the fine system would work, but said: "If we have people who are now showing up and taking those slots away from people who need it, that's not right.

"I'm all for a healthcare system that's free at the point of use, but not one that's free at the point of misuse."

As of February, six million people were on NHS waiting lists in England - one in nine of the population.

Ministers have warned that the waiting list for hospital treatment will not begin to fall for two years.

Mr Sunak said it was "not right" that people were missing consultations, scans and check-ups, "taking those slots away from people who need (them)".

Separately, the former chancellor has said he wants to reduce the number of empty shops on Britain's high streets and crack down on graffiti and littering.

"I want to slash the number of empty shops by 2025 and make sure that they are turned into thriving local assets, supporting skills, local businesses, economies and creating jobs," Mr Sunak said.

"They will be joined by vital public services - like police stations and job centres."

Mr Sunak and Ms Truss are vying for No 10 after reaching the final stage of the Conservative party leadership contest.

The party's membership will decide who will replace Boris Johnson, with the winner being announced on 5 September.

During the contest, there have been noticeable clashes between the two candidates as they set out their rival visions for the UK's future.

Earlier this month, they set out their plans for the economy and traded barbs over one another's policies.

Ms Truss is ahead of Mr Sunak in the race to become the next Tory leader, according to polls of party members.

She received the backing of former Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis who told the Telegraph Ms Truss would restore power sharing at Stormont more quickly.

And despite her apparent popularity among Tory members, Ms Truss told the Sunday Times that she is unsure if her parents would vote for her in a general election.

"I think my mum will, I'm not sure about my dad," she said, adding that they disagreed with her about public spending and tax.

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2022-07-31 07:01:05Z
1510982347

Sabtu, 30 Juli 2022

Tory leadership race: Tugendhat admits foreign secretary 'would be a fantastic job' - but says Truss has 'promised nothing' - Sky News

Tom Tugendhat has admitted foreign secretary "would be a fantastic job to do" - but insisted Tory leadership frontrunner Liz Truss has made him no promises.

Mr Tugendhat, who also stood as a candidate to take over from Boris Johnson, is the latest senior Tory MP to back Ms Truss over Rishi Sunak.

Mr Tugendhat and Ms Truss shared a warm embrace at a campaign event at Biggin Hill Airport in south London on Saturday, during which he said the current foreign secretary's promises of tax cuts are based on "true Conservative principles" and that she can unite the party.

Mr Tugendhat, who chairs the Commons foreign affairs committee, was asked by reporters if he would like to be named foreign secretary in return for his support of Ms Truss.

"Well, look, it would be a fantastic job to do, let's not pretend it wouldn't," he replied.

But there are "many other jobs that I've spoken about wanting to do", he added, hinting that he would like to be involved with trade.

"But the reality is I've been promised nothing, I expect nothing," he went on.

"I hope for a lot, but I have no right to expect."

Asked whether Mr Tugendhat would be foreign secretary in a government headed by her, Ms Truss said that making such a decision would be "extremely premature" because the "leadership election is not finished".

But she did hold out an olive branch to Mr Tugendhat, describing him as a "very, very talented person".

Ms Truss and Mr Tugendhat looked delighted to see each other
Image: Ms Truss and Mr Tugendhat looked delighted to see each other

Boris Johnson held a celebration of his wedding to wife Carrie on Saturday.

Asked whether he should have been "concentrating more on the crises facing our country", Ms Truss replied: "Well he's done a fantastic job in standing up to Putin, in delivering Brexit and in delivering our COVID vaccine, and helping us deal with that great crisis.

"I think he's entitled to enjoy his wedding day and I wish the best to him and Carrie and all the family."

Regarding the cost of living crisis, Ms Truss said one way she would deal with it is by "growing the economy".

She also said she was a "fan of grammar schools" and her "two daughters both go to a grammar school".

Questioned about her status as the frontrunner in the leadership contest, she replied: "This is a very, very close race, and I am fighting for every vote."

Rishi Sunak was asked to sign a copy of Margaret Thatcher's biography in Hampshire on Saturday
Image: Rishi Sunak was asked to sign a copy of Margaret Thatcher's biography in Hampshire on Saturday

Rishi Sunak was also out on the campaign trail on Saturday, tweeting photos of himself with supporters in the south of England with the caption: "Busy Saturday meeting hundreds of members. Wouldn't have it any other way!"

The former chancellor was due to attack "woke nonsense" in a speech apparently designed to enthuse the Tory grassroots on culture war issues.

He was also expected to tell supporters in West Sussex that he would prevent "left-wing agitators" from taking "a bulldozer to our history, our traditions and our fundamental values".

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2022-07-30 19:05:30Z
1508984857

Lillia Valutyte: Man arrested after girl, 9, stabbed to death - BBC

Lillia ValutyteOther

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a nine-year-old girl was fatally stabbed in a town centre.

Lillia Valutyte was found with a stab wound in Fountain Lane in Boston, Lincolnshire, on Thursday.

Lincolnshire Police said the 22-year-old was detained in Boston on Saturday after two people previously arrested were released without charge.

Earlier the force had circulated photos of a man officers wanted to speak to in connection with the killing.

Cordon in place om Thorold Street

Police said the man was arrested in the Boston Central Park area at about 14:45 BST.

They said his arrest followed "a combination of intelligence and information supplied by several members of the public".

The force added: "We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident."

Ch Supt Martyn Parker said he understood people would have questions about how this had happened.

He added: "We are in a very sensitive stage of our investigations having just arrested a 22-year-old male.

"Please allow my officers the time and space to conduct their enquiries and continue their investigations."

Police said there would continue "to be a significant police presence in the town" and said people could still pass on information via its major incident portal.

Tributes near the scene

Lillia had reportedly been playing with a hula hoop with her younger sister on the street and a toy pram was left at the scene, according to locals.

Dozens of flowers and other tributes have been left at the corner of Fountain Lane and Fountain Place in memory of the schoolgirl.

People have also been gathering at a local church to light candles.

Candles lit at St Botolph's Church

Reverend Jane Robertson said the community was coming to St Botolph's Church to reflect on what had happened.

Father-of-five Mark Gostelow said he wanted to light a candle for Lillia's life.

"It's horrific, I've got children myself so it hits home with me," he said.

Jerena Tyler, who also visited the church to pay her respects, said: "It breaks your heart because you're thinking all of her nine-year-old life has been wiped away in one night."

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2022-07-30 15:25:59Z
1517398010

Jumat, 29 Juli 2022

Infected blood victims should get £100k each compensation 'without delay', inquiry says - Sky News

More than 4,000 surviving victims of the contaminated blood scandal should each receive no less than £100,000 "without delay", a judge has said.

Sir Brian Langstaff, chair of the infected blood inquiry, said his recommendation was made in light of the "profound physical and mental suffering" caused by the scandal.

"An interim payment should be paid, without delay, to all those infected and all bereaved partners currently registered on UK infected blood support schemes, and those who register between now and the inception of any future scheme," he said.

The inquiry was set up to look into how thousands of NHS patients were infected with HIV or hepatitis C by contaminated blood products imported from the US in the 1970s and 1980s.

Almost 3,000 people died in what was described as the worst treatment disaster in the history of the health service.

The UK had been reliant on supplies imported from the US, where it was manufactured with blood collected from prisoners, sex workers, drug addicts and other high-risk groups who were paid to give blood.

Sir Brian made it clear his recommendations do not have to be accepted by the government.

More on Infected Blood Inquiry

But when he was health secretary in 2021, Matt Hancock said the government would pay compensation if the inquiry recommends it. He told the inquiry the government had a "moral responsibility" to address the issues associated with the scandal.

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27 June - Former PM on blood victims' 'bad luck'

The government has now said it would consider the former High Court judge's report with "the utmost urgency" and "respond as soon as possible".

"The government is grateful to Sir Brian Langstaff for his interim report regarding interim compensation for victims of infected blood," a spokesperson said.

"We recognise how important this will be for people infected and affected across the UK."

'Late but welcome'

Des Collins, senior partner at Collins Solicitors, which is representing more than 400 of the victims and their families, said the payments "will, at last, provide some financial compensation that many of those suffering have been due for decades".

"Whilst coming too late for the thousands who have tragically passed away over the intervening years since they were infected, it is a welcome development for some of those still living with the dreadful repercussions of this avoidable treatment failure," he said.

"We look forward to the day when all victims of this scandal are properly compensated for their suffering and for those whose decisions led to the ruining of countless innocent lives being held to account."

Kate Burt, chief executive of The Haemophilia Society, said the recommendations "leave no room for doubt".

"Many of those infected or bereaved are ill and dying and need compensation now," she said.

"The government has ignored the urgent and compelling case for interim compensation payments for too long," she added.

Sir Brian apologised to victims that would not be eligible for the payments.

"I ask those who are disappointed to remember that this is not the end of the inquiry's work, and the question of compensation, and its scope is not resolved in this short report on interim payments," he said.

He said delivering the payments to people on the infected blood support schemes was the most practical way of providing compensation quickly.

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2022-07-29 17:05:20Z
1511806132

Wagatha Christie case: Rebekah Vardy loses libel trial against Coleen Rooney - Sky News

Rebekah Vardy has lost her Wagatha Christie case against Coleen Rooney.

Vardy attempted to sue her fellow WAG for defamation, but a High Court judge has ruled that Rooney's Instagram post outing Vardy for leaking stories to The Sun newspaper was true.

Vardy said Judge Justice Steyn "got it wrong" with her ruling, adding that "it is not the result that I had expected, nor believe was just".

But she added that she would not appeal as "the case is over".

Rooney said she was "pleased" the judge had found in her favour, adding: "It was not a case I ever sought or wanted".

Alluding to what she called a "difficult and stressful time" throughout the trial, she concluded: "Although I bear Mrs Vardy no ill-will, today's judgment makes clear that I was right in what I said in my posts of October 2019".

Coleen Rooney says she has no 'ill will' towards Vardy - latest updates

More on Coleen Rooney

Coleen Rooney / Rebekah Vardy libel trial documents
Image: Some of Rooney's fake posts, shown during the trial

The court found that the essence of Rooney's social media post was "substantially true" - that's to say Vardy was responsible for leaking Rooney's private information to the press.

In her verdict, Judge Steyn described Vardy's evidence in the libel trial as "manifestly inconsistent... evasive or implausible" - while Rooney's evidence was "honest and reliable".

In her conclusion, the judge said: "I have found that Ms Vardy was party to the disclosure to The Sun... Ms Vardy knew of and condoned this behaviour, actively engaging in it by directing Ms Watt to the private Instagram account, sending her screenshots of Ms Rooney's posts, drawing attention to items of potential interest to the press, and answering additional queries raised by the press via Ms Watt."

Caroline Watt was Vardy's agent and friend, and had been implicated in the leaking of the private posts during evidence heard in court. She did not give evidence during the hearing.

Although the judge labelled the information within Rooney's leaked posts as "trivial", she said the content "does not need to be confidential or important to meet the sting of the libel."

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Cundy tried to help Vardy and Rooney

Despite the court finding that Rooney's reveal post "was on a matter of public interest", the judge ruled that it couldn't be used as part of her defence because she did not take "steps to put the allegation to Ms Vardy and give her an opportunity to respond".

Addressing what was referred to during the trial as "a series of unfortunate incidents" - which involved a broken laptop, forgotten passwords and lost data - Mrs Justice Steyn said: "In my judgment, it is likely that Ms Vardy deliberately deleted her WhatsApp chat with Ms Watt, and that Ms Watt deliberately dropped her phone in the sea".

The court praised Rooney's evidence as "honest and reliable", but said Vardy's evidence was "manifestly inconsistent... evasive or implausible".

Mrs Justice Steyn said: "Ms Vardy was generally unwilling to make factual concessions, however implausible her evidence."

While the judge found that Vardy had disclosed private information, she said she believed Vardy had felt "genuinely offended" by Rooney's accusation, employing "a degree of self-deception" to minimise her role in the leak.

Coleen Rooney entertains her kids during the UEFA European Championship 2016; Rebekah Vardy sits behind her. Pic: AP
Image: Vardy and Rooney at Euro 2016. Pic: AP

Former WAG Lizzie Cundy, Rooney's friend, told Sky News she "wasn't surprised" by the outcome and knew Rooney - who she described as "an honest girl" - would only have made the original reveal post if she was "100% sure it was correct".

She said when the spat first began she'd even suggested to Rooney and Vardy that they, "Come over and have some prosecco and nuts and sort this out", adding, "Now Rebekah will be thinking, 'I should have listened'".

Rooney initially accused Vardy of leaking "false stories" to the media in 2019, and the high-profile trial took place in May.

The wife of former England star Wayne Rooney was dubbed "Wagatha Christie" after claiming that three fake stories posted on her personal Instagram page - which unbeknown to Vardy at the time were shared only with her account - were passed on to The Sun newspaper.

Wayne and Coleen Rooney leave the Royal Courts Of Justice, London, as the high-profile libel battle between Rebekah Vardy and Coleen Rooney finally goes to trial. Picture date: Tuesday May 10, 2022.
Image: Rooney and husband Wayne at court in May

In written submissions to the court during the trial, Vardy's barrister Hugh Tomlinson QC argued that while the case had been trivialised as "WAG Wars" it had had a "very profound" impact on his client's life, leading to "high intensity abuse and vilification".

The 40-year-old suffered "immense distress" as a result of Rooney's allegations and "had no choice" but to take her to court "to establish her innocence and vindicate her reputation", Mr Tomlinson said.

However, in the written argument for Rooney, 36, barrister David Sherborne said his client felt "absolutely confident" in the investigation she conducted to find the source of the leaks and that her "authentication was as thorough as many newsrooms".

Read more:
Coleen Rooney's evidence
Peter Andre speaks out
Rebekah Vardy denies leaks

Undated handout screen grab issued by Kingsley Napley of one of two posts from Coleen Rooney's private instagram made on the day of her viral public post accusing "Rebekah Vardy's account". This content has been shown as evidence at the Royal Courts Of Justice, London, in the libel proceedings between Rebekah Vardy and Coleen Rooney. Issue date: Friday May 20, 2022.

What were the key legal issues in the case?

Rebekah and Jamie Vardy at Leicester City's King Power Stadium
Image: Rebekah and Jamie Vardy pictured at Leicester City's King Power Stadium in the days after the trial

A libel is a published statement which is defamatory - damaging to a person's reputation.

Vardy said she had suffered "very serious harm to her reputation" as a result of Rooney's allegations and therefore brought the case to court to defend herself.

Rooney defended the claim on the basis it was true and in the public interest for her to publish it. Under English defamation law it was Rooney who had to prove her post was "substantially true".

As this was a civil case, not a criminal one, the standard of proof was "on the balance of probabilities", or "more likely than not", rather than "beyond reasonable doubt".

There is an upper limit of damages in libel actions in the UK of about £300,000, with the amount awarded depending on a number of factors - including the level of reputational damage and the prevalence of the published libel. However, any damages are usually swallowed up by legal costs.

At a hearing in March 2022, it was revealed that Vardy had a costs budget of nearly £900,000, while Rooney's costs were estimated to be about £400,000.

However, it is believed the case exceeded those budgets.

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2022-07-29 11:29:34Z
1511800693

Kamis, 28 Juli 2022

Leiland-James Corkill: Killer lied to social workers, report finds - BBC

Leiland-James Corkill

A woman who murdered the baby she was trying to adopt lied to professionals about her alcohol use and mental health problems, a report has found.

Laura Castle, 38, shook 13-month-old Leiland-James Corkill at her home in Barrow, Cumbria, in January 2021.

A safeguarding children board review found there were systemic failings in the adoption process and information was not always shared between agencies.

Cumbria County Council said it had already made changes to how it worked.

In response to the findings, the authority said Castle "deliberately and repeatedly misled and lied to social workers about vitally important aspects of her life".

Castle and her husband Scott took in Leiland-James in August 2020 when he was eight months old after he had been taken into care at birth.

The couple had been assessed and approved by the county council's adoption service.

However, at the time Castle was having counselling with the organisation First Step about issues including her "low mood, anxiety and anger management".

The adoption team did not make checks with the service as they were under the impression from her, and from her GP, that her therapy was in the past.

First Step was unaware that Castle and her husband had applied to adopt and were being assessed - though they did inform the GP it was working with her - as it is not current practice for an adoption service to contact a counselling agency for information.

Laura Castle mugshot
Cumbria Police

The information held by First Step revealed that she drank six bottles of wine a week, considerably above the recommended alcohol limit and three times the amount she told adoption assessors she consumed.

Shortly after Leiland-James's placement, Castle was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis but social workers were not made aware of her new medical condition.

A concern was raised about her alcohol intake as part of a consultation for a separate health issue.

This information was shared with her GP, but not with any other agency.

'Increasing debt'

The report found the Castles had significant loans and credit card debts but did not have the income to service them.

However, the financial assessment form for the adoption did not ask about the total they owed - it only required the couple to disclose what they were spending on loans and credit cards each month.

That "enabled the family to disguise what they owed and they were only paying the minimum amount each month", the review said.

The form has since changed and there is also a plan to review financial assessments at the time of a match to ensure information is up to date.

Laura with Leiland-James in the contact centre
Laura Corkill

The NSPCC said the murder was a "pivotal reminder" of the need for national leadership and radical reform of children's social care.

"The report highlights, among other issues, a lack of information sharing between agencies, which we know is a persistent problem," said Clare Kelly, associate head of policy and public affairs.

"It is crucial that the seeking and sharing of information between all agencies involved in child safeguarding and adoption processes is strengthened to spot potential dangers earlier."

'Repeatedly misled'

John Readman, executive director for people at Cumbria County Council, said it fully accepted the report's findings, was deeply sorry for Leiland-James's death and offered condolences to his birth family.

"The Castles went through a full eight-month assessment and approval process involving criminal records checks, multiple references and extensive training," he said.

"No concerns were raised by anyone, in any agency, about their suitability to become adopters.

"Laura Castle deliberately and repeatedly misled and lied to social workers about vitally important aspects of her life, including her mental and physical health, her alcohol use and debts.

"We also know now that relevant information about Laura Castle was not shared between agencies, and that more could have been done to clarify some of the information we were provided with."

Mr Readman said the council had followed "lengthy and intensive" national standards but accepted there were "vulnerabilities in the process" when prospective adopters were untruthful.

Lesley Walker, independent scrutineer with Cumbria Safeguarding Children Partnership, told BBC Radio Cumbria: "I think that they [social workers] need to be challenging information, triangulating and checking out information from a number of sources about adult vulnerabilities.

"There were a number of pieces of information that were not shared as widely as they should've been.

"We've taken steps with a new questionnaire to go into detail about vulnerability and financial situations and seek out information in a robust way."

At her trial, Castle pleaded guilty to manslaughter and told the jury she had shaken Leiland-James because he would not stop crying.

She claimed he hit his head on the armrest of the sofa before he fell off her lap on to the floor.

Prosecutors said Castle killed the boy when she lost her temper and suggested she smashed the back of his head on a piece of furniture.

She was jailed in May for a minimum of 18 years.

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2022-07-28 15:00:46Z
1510736272

Grandfather killer jailed in first TV sentencing in England and Wales - BBC

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A "very damaged man" has been jailed for killing his bedbound grandfather in a knife attack, in the first filmed sentencing in England and Wales.

Ben Oliver, 25, stabbed his 74-year-old grandfather to death in Mottingham, south east London, in January 2021.

He admitted manslaughter due to diminished responsibility. He was cleared of murder at the Old Bailey.

Judge Sarah Munro QC made legal history as she handed him a life sentence with a minimum of 10 years and eight months.

The arrival of TV cameras at the Old Bailey and other crown courts comes nine years after the move was first promised.

The major change in the law, announced on Wednesday, allows broadcasters to film judges sentencing serious criminals. Broadcasting an entire trial will not be permitted.

Ben Oliver
Metropolitan Police

During sentencing, Oliver, of Bexleyheath, south London, was denied a hospital order because he "presents a significant risk to the public", the court heard.

He attacked his bedbound grandfather, David Oliver, as he lay "helpless" in his bedroom following a stroke, jurors heard during the trial.

David Oliver was found with 21 stab wounds to the face and seven stab wounds to the torso.

Louis Mably QC, for the prosecution, said: "It was a brutal attack, plainly carried out with the intention of killing him."

The defendant had become "very angry" after learning of allegations against his grandfather of historic sexual abuse of girls, Mr Mably said.

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TV cameras in England and Wales criminal courts

Under new rules announced on Wednesday the BBC, ITN, Sky and Press Association can ask to film sentencing of a defendant - the very last stage of a criminal prosecution.

Sentencing hearings are witnessed daily by journalists, juries, victims or their families. But until now they are little understood by the public because the detail is often simplified in daily news reporting.

Under these new rules, each sentencing that is filmed will be kept on YouTube so viewers can see the judge's full reasoning.

Cameras will not be allowed to film victims, witnesses and jurors amid concerns that wider televising of trials could damage the quality of evidence or sensationalise cases.

A law from 1925 bans all other filming in crown courts.

Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said: "Opening up the courtroom to cameras to film the sentencing of some of the country's most serious offenders will improve transparency and reinforce confidence in the justice system.

"The public will now be able to see justice handed down, helping them understand better the complex decisions judges make."

In Scotland, which has its own legal system, filming has been allowed in criminal courts since 1992.

Although full trials are rarely broadcast because of strict rules, broadcasting of sentencing in major cases has been fairly common since 2012.

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Jurors were told the grandson had autism which, combined with other emotional and mental factors, diminished his responsibility for the killing.

Due to his condition, he "did not think there was an alternative to killing his grandfather", Judge Munro said.

In 2016, Ben Oliver was convicted of sexual offences against a young girl when he was aged 15, the court was told.

Ms Munro said this was "learned behaviour from your own childhood".

His step-dad was "extremely cruel" and physically violent towards him, the court heard.

The man, named only as Steve in court, subjected Ben Oliver "to a sexualised environment", and introduced him to child pornography at the age of five.

Psychologists appointed by the court described Oliver as "a very damaged man who will require psychological work in the longer term", Judge Munro said.

Court sketch of Ben Oliver
Julia Quenzler

In the months before the killing, he had become aware of allegations of sexual abuse against his grandfather, who was also said to have mistreated his wife and had affairs, jurors were told.

His grandmother told him she could not have peace until her husband had died.

The defendant was also depressed and had attempted suicide several times, jurors heard.

Mr Mably said: "He was a troubled and angry young man."

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Analysis box by Dominic Casciani, home and legal correspondent

Every day, reporters, victims or their families listen to a judge delivering a sentence. This is often a lengthy analysis of a crime, the defendant's culpability, and the harm they have caused - along with the mitigating factors in their often sorry lives.

In short, jailing criminals is simply not a case of plucking the first number of years that comes to mind.

There is only so much that reporters like me can say on any given day about a particular case. We inevitably have to gloss over some of the details.

This major reform, in favour of greater transparency, fills that gap.

For the first time, the public will be able to watch a judge performing their work in full, in the name of public protection.

And anyone who watches the cases as they begin to be published on YouTube will soon see how this complex public duty is a world away from TV dramas or simplistic headlines.

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2022-07-28 16:14:27Z
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