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A juror was jailed at the High Court for four months for contempt of court, after it was discovered he had approached and discussed the proceedings with two of the defendants while the trial was ongoing.
The Attorney General said that:
“There is a compelling public interest in addressing any contempt of the judicial process. Mr Pardon’s conduct had serious consequences. The trial was disrupted and as a result the three convicted defendants appealed against their convictions – convictions won after a lengthy police investigation and trial.”
Patrick Raggett, a victim of child abuse at a Jesuit-run school in the 1970’s, was awarded damages at the High Court. Raggett had claimed £5m for pain and suffering caused by the “violation, dread, isolation, shame and humiliation” he experienced as a result of sexual abuse by a teacher at Preston Catholic College, but Lady Justice Swift determined his award at £54,923.
The European Court of Human Rights ruled in favour of Arthur Redfearn, a former bus driver whose employment was terminated when he was elected as a councillor for the British National Party. Domestic courts decided that his dismissal was for health and safety reasons rather than discriminatory ones, but the European Court held that his dismissal constituted a breach of the right to freedom of association under ECHR, art 11.
Andy Coulson, former editor at the News of the World, challenged a ruling that News International was not liable to pay his legal fees over the phone hacking scandal. His argument is that News International are funding Rebekah Brooks’ legal support, and also covering the legal costs of the Sun journalists that were arrested as part of the investigation into newspaper payments to police officers. Counsel for Coulson argued that the legal costs provided for in his contract with NI covered the current situation, as the allegations against Coulson arose from his job as the editor of the News of the World.
News Group Newspapers’ submission was that:
“The clause covers doing his job as editor. It is not part of his job to hack telephones.”
Lord Alistair McAlpine threatened to sue for libel after he was linked to child abuse allegations by internet rumours. An episode of Newsnight broadcast last week featured an interview with a former resident of a care home who had been abused “by a prominent Thatcher-era Tory figure”. McAlpine issued a statement on Friday:
“I conclude by reminding those who have defamed me or who intend to do so that in making this statement I am by no means giving up my right to seek redress at law and repeat that I expressly reserve my rights to take all such steps as I and my solicitors consider necessary to protect my interests.”