The Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders has issued fresh guidelines to police, on how they should regard cases of rape, shifting the onus of proof of innocence onto the accused.
As always, the jury still has to be satisfied that a rape was committed, but the modified lines of enquiry have been suggested in order to encourage more victims to come forward. Usually anonymously, sometimes maliciously, generally quite correctly.
The accused is named and shamed but the accuser remains anonymous, or so I understand.
Taken to its logical conclusion, the D.P.P. intrudes into the marital home. Bringing as she does, a set of requirements for tacit consent to the continuation of an intimate relationship.
Even the married man may fall foul of the law for want of proof of his innocence, should his wife contest his version of events in the bedroom.
A notepad or tape recorder in every bedroom to prove each and every encounter, is not an idea that appeals to me. But doubtless there will soon be the gadget to do just that, overtly or covertly watching, within the recesses of the bedchamber. Every whisper, every squeak and squeal of delight or pain laid bare, for the jury to decide, innocence or guilt.
The Crown Prosecution Service has been criticised for staging a misguided FGM “show trial” – after a young doctor was cleared by a jury in the first such case brought before the UK courts.
Dr Dhanuson Dharmasena, whose medical career was devastated by a 1.5cm stitch he performed on the bleeding mother of a newborn baby, was acquitted by jurors in less than 30 minutes.
Pre-election Political footballs seem to be kicking around here which could so very easily result in miscarriages of justice.
Gilbert and Sullivan where are you now ! - This scenario is ripe for the Stage Of Theatrical Nonsense .
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