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Criminal law – Assault. The appellant was diagnosed with genital herpes. He entered into a sexual relationship with the victim, but did not tell her about that diagnosis. The victim was diagnosed with genital herpes. The appellant pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm contrary to s 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and was sentenced to 14 months custody. The appellant appealed against conviction and sentence. Dismissing the appeal against conviction, the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division, held that there had been sufficient evidence to sustain a charge under s 20 of the Act. Further, the appellant had not been failed by his legal representative in the preparation of his case in such a way as to call into question the safety of his conviction. Furthermore, the appellant's guilty plea had been a properly informed, voluntary and unequivocal plea of guilty. Regarding the appeal against sentence, the initial sentence had been appropriate. However, there had been a substantial delay which had not been of the appellant's own making. In those circumstances, a course would not be taken which would necessitate the appellant's return to custody.
Criminal law – Assault. The appellant was diagnosed with genital herpes. He entered into a sexual relationship with the victim, but did not tell her about that diagnosis. The victim was diagnosed with genital herpes. The appellant pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm contrary to s 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and was sentenced to 14 months custody. The appellant appealed against conviction and sentence. Dismissing the appeal against conviction, the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division, held that there had been sufficient evidence to sustain a charge under s 20 of the Act. Further, the appellant had not been failed by his legal representative in the preparation of his case in such a way as to call into question the safety of his conviction. Furthermore, the appellant's guilty plea had been a properly informed, voluntary and unequivocal plea of guilty. Regarding the appeal against sentence, the initial sentence had been appropriate. However, there had been a substantial delay which had not been of the appellant's own making. In those circumstances, a course would not be taken which would necessitate the appellant's return to custody.
Update from the Chair of the Bar
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Unlocking your aged debt to fund your tax in one easy step. By Philip N Bristow
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, discusses the upcoming changes to pensions and Inheritance Tax and the potential impact on your financial future
Save the Children UK is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
The Chief Legal Officer to the Metropolitan Police, barrister Brett Welch, tells Anthony Inglese CB about his mission and the work to turn the Met around
Barrister apprenticeships – shortly to provide the fourth pathway to the Bar – are an ideal opportunity to support local talent and ‘grow your own’, say Tim Coulson and Dr Jane Dennehy
Grok around and find out – or not? Mariya Peykova investigates the nudification scandal, what the law has to say about sexually explicit deepfakes, and whether stronger regulation is needed
Oliver Lewis spotlights an overlooked yet rapidly evolving area of law – coercive and controlling behaviour within care contexts