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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.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
