Tommy Tainant
Diamond Member
- Jan 20, 2016
- 48,542
- 21,093
Southport stabbing latest: detectives given more time to question suspect; police promise further arrests over riot
There have been four arrests after violence in the town with Merseyside chief constable saying ‘more will follow’
www.theguardian.com
So all you American racist trash need ro cool your jets. Or continue making up shit as usual.
Detectives have been given more time to question the 17-year-old over the incident and he remains in custody after being detained on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. No charges have been brought.
At this stage, the boy has not been identified because of his age amid active ongoing criminal proceedings.
The criminal age of responsibility in England and Wales is 10 years old, meaning children aged between 10 and 17 can be arrested and taken to court if they commit a crime.
The identity of defendants and witnesses under the age of 18 who are subject to criminal proceedings in youth courts is protected by automatic reporting restrictions under Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.
If a child is charged with an offence and is facing criminal proceedings in adult courts - magistrates’ and crown courts - then magistrates and judges have legal powers to grant anonymity to a child defendant, witness or victim under Section 45 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999.
Both of these laws ban the press from publishing a child defendant’s name or any detail which could lead to them being identified while the reporting restrictions remain in place.
This is why media reports sometimes say they cannot identify a child involved in a criminal court case for legal reasons.
The automatic restrictions technically begin once court proceedings are active - when a suspect has been charged and is appearing in court for the first time - which could give rise to questions as to why the teenager in the Southport case has still not been identified.
But media organisations typically refrain from identifying any child arrested on suspicion of a crime, having considered their ethical and other legal responsibilities, because there is the prospect this could then lead to prosecution and court proceedings where the reporting restrictions in question will activate.
Child defendants will remain anonymous throughout legal proceedings but these restrictions can be challenged - usually by reporters - after the court case has ended.
If a child is convicted of a crime, having either pleaded guilty or been found guilty after a trial, magistrates and judges have powers to lift reporting restrictions so the defendant can be identified in some circumstances, including if this is considered in the public interest
