By David Callaghan and Reg McKay.
Climbie inquiry ponders prosecution
The Victoria Climbie inquiry may prosecute the director of social services in Haringey for failing to provide documents within the deadline set.
An unnamed source has revealed that Anne Bristow could face six months imprisonment or a £1,000 fine for failing to comply with orders from the inquiry chairperson, Lord Laming. He had already summoned Bristow to the inquiry instructing her to provide all the files relevant to the death of Victoria.
Haringey's chief executive David Warwick was also asked to explain whether his officials were incompetent or were actively trying to frustrate the inquiry. Warwick apologised, but said he could not guarantee no further documentation would be found.
A further bundle of evidence was submitted by the local authority yesterday. Elizabeth Lawson, QC for Haringey, said the latest set of documents were of "minimal if any relevance".
But the solicitor acting for Lisa Arthurworrey, the social worker responsible for Victoria's case, argued that the late submission of files was prejudicial to her.
Source: The Guardian Friday 14 December page 6
Longer jail terms call after Sarah verdict
Ministers are said to be proposing a change to the law so that sex offenders who pose a serious risk to the public will be given a mandatory life sentence.
The move follows the conviction of Roy Whiting for the kidnap and murder of Sarah Payne earlier this week. Whiting had a previous conviction for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl in 1995. He was given a four-year sentence, but only served two-and-a-half years before being released.
Under the proposals life would be the automatic sentence for crimes that currently carry a discretionary sentence if the offender poses a risk to the public. For crimes that do not even carry a discretionary life sentence offenders would be assessed by a parole board before they could be released.
Both measures are expected to be contained in a crime white paper to be published next spring.
Source: The Guardian Friday 14 December page 6
Scottish newspapers
Asylum seeker’s death not racially motivated
The prosecution at the trial into the murder of Asylum seeker Firsat Dag, advised the jury at Glasgow high court yesterday that they were dropping the accusation that the killing was racially motivated.
On trial is Scott Burrell, who has already been acquitted of attacking another asylum seeker, Barzan Amini, on March 13 this year. Burrell remains on trial for the murder of Dag on 5 August and attacking a German tourist on the same night. Burrell denies both charges. The trial continues with the judge, Lord Kingarth, addressing the jury today before they retire to consider the verdict.
Source: The Herald Friday 14 December page 3
Rebellion threatens ban on smacking
The controversial proposals to introduce a legal ban on smacking children aged three years and under is set to face difficulties in passing through the committee.
Several MSPs on the justice committee have serious doubts about the proposals contained within the Criminal Justice Bill, as well as facing protests from parents and Christian groups. Only two of the seven committee members are committed to backing the ban. Justice committee convenor, Christine Grahame, said: "I cannot see how a ban would work."
Source:- The Scotsman Friday 14 December page 1