Violent Young Offenders

There is a new special unit in Hindley youth prison, Europe’s largest youth prison, to deal with the most violent and disruptive offenders. This wing in the prison has specially trained staff to deal with the sometimes extreme behaviour. The idea is to take the most disruptive teenagers out of the sprawling main wings of the prison where they can cause the most trouble. There is also easy access to mental health treatment and drug and alcohol services. Many more of these special units are now planned in other youth prisons across England and Whales.

Court Out:£4 Million Lotto Winner.

Edward Putman, a used car salesman, won a large sum of £4 million in 2009 on a Lotto win and was still claiming benefits for nearly 2 years afterwards. Mr Putman asked for ‘no publicity’ from the Lotto organisers when he won the jackpot. He then carried on claiming income support and housing benefit. He apparently intends to plead guilty to two charges of dishonestly failing to notify the Department of Work and Pensions of a change in circumstances and will pay the benefits money back. HS&Co act in many dishonesty allegations, both serious and minor. In Your Defence.

Cyber Bullies

A woman took legal action against Facebook after being bullied online. Nicola Brookes, 45, was targeted after supporting the former X Factor contestant Frankie Cocozza when he was voted from the show last year. Nicola's anonymous attackers made a fake profile using her name, using her picture to post explicit comments her solicitor said. Sussex police did not apparently do enough to help track the perpetrators, so Nicola decided to take legal action. Her case went to the High Court in London, where an order was granted compelling Facebook to reveal the IP addresses and other information of those responsible. Nicola intends to privately prosecute the abuser. HS&Co defend on these types of cases, especially under the Communications Act 2003.

Altering Rape Records

The Metropolitan Police are investigating 63 sex crime investigations after a detective on their specialist rape inquiry team had been arrested for suspicion of altering rape records. The detective constable, from Sapphire sex crime unit, was held on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. Some of these cases have potential for unsafe convictions, although none have been identified. None of the cases under investigation have apparently been discontinued without proper investigation. The suspicion is that the officer cut corners or made decisions about whether anyone should be charged without proper consultation with prosecutors and senior officers. Scotland Yard said in a statement 'Any suggestion that an investigation is not up to the high standard expected will be fully investigated and any officer involved in potential failings dealt with robustly.' The officer, who has not been named, was held in custody while 2 private addresses were searched. He was suspended in March while five cases were examined, but the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) will take over the expanded inquiry after further "significant Developments" came to light. The IPCC is also carrying out a wider review following complaints about Sapphire officers in the London borough of Southwark. HS&Co have defended many suspects investigated by Sapphire officers in recent years.

A Life of Crime

A 'career burglar' named Simon Berkowitz, 65, was jailed for 5 and a half years after 50 years of doing burglaries and 250 convictions. He stole £30,000 targeting houses in affluent areas in the New Forest in Hampshire. Berkowitz first appeared at Worthing Juvenile (now youth) Court in 1961, aged 14, on a charge of larceny and was given a two-year probation order and ordered to pay 38p in costs. Simon admitted to 5 burglaries, 1 count of going equipped to steal and 2 counts of fraud. Police say this was only the 'tip of the iceberg. He was believed to have committed thousands of thefts over the years. The Queen is now looking after his retirement.

Young Offenders

HS&Co act for a lot of young people arrested & prosecuted for a variety of offences, throughout Wales and England. Less than 10% of the population are 18-25 years old, yet account for more than a third of the prison sentences each year, a third of those starting community sentences and a third of the probation service case load. 3 out of 4 of these young adults leaving prison are reconvicted within a year.

Clock Sex Cam

A holiday let owner, Jonathan Waugh (52) has been jailed for 12 months by York Crown Court for secretly filming his guests’ intimate moments. Waugh used an alarm clock with a hidden camera and put it in the master bedroom at the holiday cottage to film the guests. The camera used a motion sensor to film some of the guests most intimate moment. Waugh then would look at the images on a widescreen TV, for his own sexual gratification. The 'clock cam' was found by a husband who had fallen ill during his stay at the cottage. He saw the clock was a bit strange and after examining it he found a memory card had been inserted. He then went straight to the police. Waugh claims he has been addicted to pornography since he was in his 20s. He spent £600 on the equipment to record his guests between October 2010 and November 2011. HS and Co, experts in these cases, can give advice on these matters. Throughout Wales & England. HS and Co: In Your Defence.