GV Hale news

18/12/24

Criminals now owe a record £4.4 billion in unpaid fines and court fees, according to official figures. This sum is equivalent to the original budget set aside for building 20,000 prison places.

For the first time, ministers have revealed that unpaid fines have surpassed £1 billion, with an additional £3.4 billion owed in legal costs and confiscation orders imposed on convicted criminals.

26/11/24

A broadsheet investigation has uncovered that burglary victims are waiting up to five years for justice due to unprecedented court delays. Ministry of Justice (MoJ) data reveals nearly 1 in 10 theft victims, including burglary cases, face waits exceeding two years from reporting their crime to the perpetrators being brought to trial.

One aggravated burglary victim recounted her ordeal, where eight machete-wielding men broke into her family home. Despite waiting three years since the October 2021 attack, she was informed the suspects wouldn't face trial until 2026. "I am furious," she said, expressing frustration over the police's handling of the case. 

29/10/24

A black football coach, Christina Oshodi, has alleged racial discrimination after being questioned by her employers regarding her expense claims for takeaway meals from Domino's and KFC.

During an employment tribunal, it was revealed that Ms. Oshodi billed the Football Association (FA) for various items, including fast food, groceries from Sainsbury's, and cleaning products. When confronted about these claims, she argued that the food was necessary for her "cultural dietary requirements."

27/09/24

28/08/24

A police officer is suing Hampshire Constabulary for discrimination after being prohibited from bringing his autism assistance dog to work.

Detective Sergeant Matthew Parker, who relies on his dog Koda for support with his autism and mental health conditions, claims he was unfairly treated when his request to bring the dog to work was denied.