Trial collapse will attract heavy fines
Jurors, witnesses or journalists who cause a criminal trial to collapse could face a bill for millions of pounds under new rules outlined yesterday (Frances Gibb writes).
Ministers are proposing to allow judges and magistrates to order anyone whose “serious misconduct” leads to a trial being abandoned to pay prosecution and defence costs. In long running cases, the bill could be millions of pounds. The law is expected to come into force on October 18.
Lord Falconer of Thoroton, the Lord Chancellor, said the ruling, “fires a warning shot to anyone who risks causing criminal proceedings to collapse through serious misconduct such as witness intimidation, juror impropriety or prejudicial reporting”.
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Letter bomb link
Police believe that a letter bomb they defused in Lewisham, South London, is connected with more than 30 others sent to addresses in Luton, Essex and Hertfordshire. They want to question Justin McAuliffe, 32, of Bedford, about the bombs, and have warned the public not to approach him.
Stonehenge plan
A scheme to transform Stonehenge from a “national disgrace” into a jewel of conservation has been announced by English Heritage. It revealed plans to turn the stone circle and the surrounding 5,000 acres of archaeological landmarks into a huge open-air attraction by 2009.
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Shock tactics
Electric stun guns are to be issued to police marksmen across England and Wales after a 12-month trial, the Home Office announced. The American-manufactured guns, known as Tasers, fire darts for up to 21ft and give a 50,000-volt charge that stuns rather than lethally injures or wounds a suspect.
Hewitt cautioned
James Hewitt, the former lover of Diana, Princess of Wales, has been cautioned by police for possession of a Class A drug, said Scotland Yard. Hewitt, 46, was arrested in July on suspicion of being in possession of cocaine outside Cactus Blue, a restaurant and wine bar in Fulham, West London.
Rylance resigns
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Mark Rylance has resigned as artistic director of the Globe Theatre in London after ten years in the post. He gave no reason, but is expected to concentrate on his acting career, which includes playing David Kelly, the weapons scientist who committed suicide, in a Channel 4 film.
Sour relations
A working men’s club in South Wales may serve a slice of lemon in drinks for the first time in its 100-year history after Alan Morgan, 62, was refused a slice in his tonic water by a barmaid. The Empire Club in Pontlottyn, Rhymney Valley, will discuss the issue at its monthly meeting.