HC Deb 11 March 1976 vol 907 cc317-9W
Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Attorney-General if charges were reinstituted after being thrown out in magistrates' courts in the case of Regina v Hurst and McNamee heard at the Central Criminal Court in October 1975; what were the final charges on which the defendants were acquitted; and what were the costs to public funds of the case.

The Attorney-General

No charges were reinstated after being dismissed by the magistrates. At an earlier trial in Sepetember 1975, Mr. Hurst was acquitted on two counts of corruption, and in the case of Mr. McNamee the jury disagreed. At Mr. McNamee's retrial in October he was acquitted on two counts of corruption upon the prosecution offering no evidence. Information about the cost of the case to public funds is not available and could not be ascertained without disproportionate expense.

Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Attorney-General if charges were reinstituted after being thrown out in magistrates' courts in the cases of Regina v Cannon Culshaw and Bowman heard at the Central Criminal Court in October 1975; what were the final charges on which the defendants were acquitted; and what was the cost to public funds of the case.

The Attorney-General

No charges were reinstated after being dismissed by the magistrates. The defendants were acquitted on one charge of robbery. Information about the cost of the case to public funds is not available and could not be ascertained without disproportionate expense.

Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Attorney-General if charges were reinstituted after being thrown out in magistrates' courts in the case of Regina v Vickery, Alford, Taylor and Hinton heard at the Central Criminal Court in October 1975; what were the charges on which defendants were acquitted; and what was the cost to public funds of the case.

The Attorney-General

No charges were reinstated after being dismissed by the magistrates. Vickery and Hinton were acquitted on charges of theft and handling stolen goods, Taylor on a charge of handling stolen goods and Taylor and Alford on a charge of being carried in a motor vehicle knowing it to have been taken without authority. Information about the cost of the case to public funds is not available and could not be ascertained without disproportionate expense.

Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Attorney-General if charges were reinstituted after being thrown out in magistrates courts in the case of Regina v Fogarty, Christian, Miller, Abernethy and Foley, heard at the Central Criminal Court in October 1975; what were the final charges on which defendants were acquitted; and what was the cost to public funds of the case.

The Attorney-General

No charges were reinstated after being dismissed by the magistrates. Fogarty was acquitted on a charge of attempted murder, and Foley on a charge of making an affray. Information about the cost of the case to public funds is not available and could not be ascertained without disproportionate expense.

Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Attorney-General if charges were reinstituted after being thrown out in magistrates' courts in the case of Regina v Carr, Caynes, Edwards, Richmond, Simon, Pinnock, Hamilton, Bryce, Carew and Wallace heard at the Central Criminal Court in October 1975; what were the final charges on which defendants were acquitted; and what was the cost to public funds of the case.

The Attorney-General

No charges were reinstated after being dismissed by the magistrates. A bill of indictment was preferred against all 10 defendants under Section 2(2)(b) of the Administration of Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1933, with the consent of a judge of the High Court. The defendants were acquitted on various charges of affray, using threatening behaviour, robbery, handling stolen goods, having an offensive weapon, assualt on a constable and possessing a controlled drug. Information about the cost of the case to public funds is not available and could not be ascertained without disproportionate expense.