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UK prosecutors drop sex-abuse case against late politician UK prosecutors drop sex-abuse case against late politician
(35 minutes later)
LONDON — British prosecutors have formally dropped a sex-crimes prosecution against politician Greville Janner, who died before the start of court proceedings over decades-old allegations of abusing boys. LONDON — Victims of childhood sexual abuse said Friday they were disappointed that prosecutors had dropped a sex-crimes prosecution against politician Greville Janner, who died before court proceedings could begin.
Prosecutor Richard Whittam told a judge Friday that the law “makes no provision for posthumous proceedings.” Janner, a former Labour Party lawmaker and peer, died Dec. 19 aged 87. At the time he stood accused of 22 offenses in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s, most involving boys in children’s homes in his central England constituency.
He said “there is no longer someone to convict or acquit.” His family denied all the allegations.
Prosecutor Richard Whittam told a judge Friday that before Janner died, prosecutors had applied to introduce more charges. But he said the law “makes no provision for posthumous proceedings” so the prosecution is now over.
Liz Dux, lawyer for six of Janner’s alleged victims, said her clients were “devastated.”
“They understand the reasons why but that doesn’t make up for the real travesty — that many gave their statements decades ago and have been denied justice through a failure to prosecute earlier when Janner was alive and well,” she said.
Police and child-abuse victims expressed outrage last year when prosecutors announced they would not charge Janner, although there was enough evidence to do so, because he had advanced Alzheimer’s.Police and child-abuse victims expressed outrage last year when prosecutors announced they would not charge Janner, although there was enough evidence to do so, because he had advanced Alzheimer’s.
The Crown Prosecution Service later reversed the decision and said a judge and jury would conduct a “trial of the facts,” which considers evidence but does not issue a verdict or pass sentence. The Crown Prosecution Service later reversed the decision and said a judge and jury would conduct a “trial of the facts,” which considers evidence but does not issue a verdict or pass sentence. It had been scheduled to start in April, without Janner present.
Janner, a former Labour Party lawmaker and peer, died Dec. 19 aged 87. Britain’s judge-led inquiry into institutional child abuse said Friday it would consider the claims against Janner as part of its investigation.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.