There was a local story in the national press recently about a local bell ringer who was charged with theft but after a lengthy legal process there was no prosecution.
After at least 20 taxpayer funded hearings, seven different judges and two sets of solicitors, the theft charge was dropped at Lewes Crown Court and a formal verdict of ‘not guilty’ entered. It was decided there was little prospect of the case ever going to trial and the Crown Prosecution Service withdrew from the case.
This story will resonate with many and I felt it was an article worth sharing, not just because it’s local news but it highlights the complexities of our legal system.
Copyright prevents us reproducing photos of Julie McDonnell but there are plenty available online for you to discover, but St George’s church is an appropriate substitute, a beautiful building (even with scaffolding) in a stunning setting.
Aside from the story above, having never visited St George’s Church before I’m very glad I did as even on an overcast day the view, as you can see from the photo above, is breath taking and the church is well worth a visit.
Image Credits: Nick Forman .
How often do we read or hear about the difficulties the Police have gone to apprehend someone who is alleged to have committed a crime or is committing a crime for them to get off scot free because of the CPS. I think what was the point of that – Police doing their job to be let down by the legal system.
Well you can’t say the legal system didn’t try. Maybe the police didn’t collect enough evidence or they collected it in a way that made it inadmissible? Who knows? Best not to pass judgment too hastily.