Ex-Solicitor General Harriet Harman has rejected calls from West Yorkshire's Chief Crown Prosecutor for a change in the law governing the time limit on bringing cases to court. Speaking during a tour of Calderdale, the Minister for Constitutional Affairs said the six-month rule helped ensure cases were dealt with as swiftly as possible.
"It is a good rule but sometimes there are slip-ups and I am sure individuals learn lessons from that," she said.
Harriet Harman was responding to demands by West Yorkshire Chief Crown Prosecutor Neil Franklin for a change in the law after a former BNP candidate who sent race-hate mail had the charges against him dropped. Brian Wainwright pleaded guilty at Calderdale Magistrates Court to sending offensive and threatening posters but the case was dismissed because the police and the Crown Prosecution Service did not charge him within the six month time limit.
"I know Mr Franklin – he is one of the best Crown prosecutors we have," said Ms Harman. "But I am sure the court case itself will be a clear warning for the defendant not to do it again," she said.
At a meeting with residents at St Mary's Church, Illingworth, Halifax, Ms Harman was told of the problems caused by teenage drinking, drug misuse, grafitti and damage to property. Halifax Labour MP Linda Riordan said: "We need more youth clubs – as they become older, children need more to keep them occupied."
The meeting was told there was youth provision in every area of North Halifax but it was not available frequently enough, and particularly at weekends. A community police spokesman said the Ovenden Drop-In Centre had been extremely successful in helping to reduce antisocial behaviour but it needed to stay open longer. Earlier in the day, the minister visited the Sure Start Children's Centre, in Elland.
Halifax Evening Courier
February 16, 2007
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