§ Mr. Fowlerasked the Attorney-General when the first prosecution occurred of a newspaper or other person for an offence of writing or broadcasting a report of committal proceedings in a magistrates' court, contrary to Section 3 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe first prosecution under Section 3 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 was on 12th September, 1968, and was brought against the BBC and two of its editors.
§ Mr. Fowlerasked the Attorney-General how many prosecutions there have been for offences of writing or broadcasting reports of committal proceedings in a magistrates court; who were the defendants; and what were the results of each case and the penalties, if any.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThere have been four prosecutions under Section 3 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967. The details are as follows:
1. 12th September, 1968. The BBC and two of its editors pleaded guilty on each of two counts. The BBC was fined £500. The two editors were discharged.
2. 7th October, 1968. Bicester Advertiser Ltd. and the editor pleaded guilty on one count. The editor was fined £75, the company was fined £50.
438W3. 28th July, 1972. The editor of Kosmos pleaded guilty on one count. He was fined £25.
4. 11th June, 1973. Beckett Newspapers Ltd. and the editor of the Eastbourne Herald were convicted on each of five courts. Each defendant was fined £200.