Remorse option for domestic violence shelved

Remorse option for domestic violence shelved
Controversial plans to let wife beaters avoid jail if they appeared genuinely remorseful were dropped yesterday.
The Sentencing Guidelines Council, the watchdog chaired by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, has changed its plans after ministers intervened.
Source:- The Times, Friday 9 December 2006, page 11

Rapist wins £50,000 for time awaiting deportation
A convicted rapist who poses a high risk of reoffending is to receive damages of up to £50,000 after being detained unlawfully pending deportation.
The High Court has ruled that the asylum-seeker, identified only as A, had been held illegally for 20 months when there was no prospect of deporting him because of the unstable situation in his homeland.
Source:- The Times, Friday 9 December 2006, page 8

Faith schools ‘get better results because they pick the best pupils’
Faith schools tend to do better than average because of their autonomy and their social intake, a government-commissioned report has found.
The London School of Economics study found that a lower than average proportion of children on free school meals or with special needs are admitted to faith schools.
Source:- Daily Telegraph, Friday 8 December 2006, page 13

Scottish news

Backbenchers win changes in bill to protect vulnerable
Ministers are set to make major changes to a bill to protect children and vulnerable adults after widespread criticism from MSPs.
The Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Bill could result in one million people being subjected to a police background check if their job or voluntary work brings them into contact with children or vulnerable adults. Groups fear the cost of checks could drive volunteers away.
At first minister’s questions yesterday, Jack McConnell ruled out shelving the legislation, but said he was listening carefully and ready to make changes.
Source:- The Herald, Friday 8 December 2006

Gay couples win right to adopt
An overwhelming majority of MSPs backed the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Bill rejecting last minute amendments that would have prevented same sex couples from adopting.
In three votes to strike out the right of same-sex couples to adopt a child jointly – all on amendments proposed by Roseanna Cunningham – they could muster only eight, 11 and 12 votes respectively.
Now same-sex and unmarried couples will, for the first time, be able to adopt together, provided they are living “in an enduring family relationship”.
Source:- The Herald, Friday 8 December 2006

Childminder lands in dock for flouting care rules
The first person in Scotland to be prosecuted for breaking childminding regulations appeared in court yesterday.
June Thompson was charged under the Regulation of Care Act after she broke the law by continuing to take money from parents to look after their children, despite cancelling her registration with the Care Commission.
She admitted the offence and could have faced up to three months in prison but was instead handed a £400 fine at Aberdeen sheriff court.
Source:- The Scotsman, Friday 8 December 2006

Welsh news

Vicar arrested over sex assault claims
A vicar from Cardiff has been arrested over allegations of sexual assault dating back to the 1980s. It is thought that the Rev Alan Rabjohns, who is a vicar of St Saviours church in the Splott area of Cardiff, has been suspended for his job following the claims.
Source:- Western Mail, Friday 8 December 2006