Lord Janner is fit to face historic child sex abuse charges

[Jazzy]

Lord Janner is fit to face historic child sex abuse charges, rules magistrate

Child abuse allegations against Lord Janner are due to be heard in court today, and a chief magistrate has ruled he must appear.

His defence lawyer previously said the former Labour MP, 87, was ‘unfit’ to attend due to his dementia.

Lord Janner has been accused of sexually abusing children in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, he denies any wrongdoing.

Chief Magistrate Howard Riddle, at Westminster Magistrates Court, said he would listen to evidence from medical experts for the defence before he decided Lord Janner should be present.

The decision comes after a review overturned a Crown Prosecution Service decision to not bring charges because of his health.

Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders previously decided it was not in the public interest for Lord Janner to be tried on 22 allegations of historical abuse against nine children – due to the severity of his dementia.

But six of the alleged victims contacted an independent QC to examine the ruling, and David Perry QC decided the proceeding should be brought before a criminal court.

A crown court judge will consider medical evidence to determine whether the Labour MP for Leicester is fit to plead.

Considering his age and health: In your opinion, should he be tried on the 22 allegations of sexual abuse against the nine children? Why/Why not?

 

[Webster]

*dusts off thread*

'Multiple failings' in responses to claims of child sex abuse made against Lord Janner, report finds

The former Leicestershire MP died in 2015 having been charged with 22 counts of historical child sexual abuse dating back decades.

news.sky.com

Children who claimed they were being abused by the late Labour peer Lord Janner were "let down by institutional failings", according a report.

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse (IICSA) found children in the care of Leicestershire County Council were "not given the attention they deserved" and there were "multiple failings" in responses to child sex abuse claims against the politician.

Police officers appeared "reluctant" to investigate allegations, and "shut down investigations" without pursuing all outstanding inquiries, according to Professor Alexis Jay.

The report said Leicestershire Police's Operation Magnolia, which examined allegations against Lord Janner in 1999, was "insufficient" and seemingly involved a "deliberate decision" to withhold key witness statements from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). It said children in care were ignored because they were "distrusted", the failure to pass on the statements was "serious and inexcusable" and crucial information was "brushed under the carpet". However the report said there is "no evidence" police were "unduly influenced or placed under improper pressure not to pursue the Lord Janner allegations".

The investigation heard from 33 alleged victims, with allegations against Lord Janner spanning three decades.

Given the man died back in 2015, isn't this just a tad bit academic, all things considered?