Latest news with #SexualOffences
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Explainer: Why men are having teen rape charges 'downgraded'
In her 2025 audit of group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse, Casey noted that while the legal age of consent is 16, prosecutions involving this age group are often dropped or downgraded—especially when a victim is said to have consented or been 'in love' with an adult perpetrator. READ MORE: Scots legal 'grey area' may let men avoid teen rape charges 'Open to interpretation' 'Although any sexual activity with 13–15-year-olds is unlawful, the decision on whether to charge, and which offence to charge with, is left more open to interpretation,' said Baroness Casey. The peer argues this flexibility is well-intentioned—designed to avoid criminalising young people close in age or those who mistakenly believe someone is older—but warns it is being exploited by adult men who groom children. Her recommendation: make all penetrative sexual activity between adults and under-16s automatically rape, as is the case in countries like France. What the law says in Scotland Age of consent Under the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009, the age of consent is 16. Any sexual activity involving a child under 16 is a criminal offence, even when both parties are underage. Children under 13 The law is unequivocal: sexual activity involving a child under 13 is automatically treated as rape or sexual assault. Consent is not a defence. Scottish Government guidance requires that any such concerns be escalated via local child protection procedures. Children aged 13–15 Sexual activity in this age group is illegal, but prosecution is more discretionary. Decisions may consider age gaps, coercion, grooming, and vulnerability. Cases can be referred to the Procurator Fiscal, the Children's Reporter, or managed through safeguarding rather than the criminal courts. National guidance and crime recording National Guidance on Under-Age Sexual Activity (2010): Advises that not all underage sexual activity is abuse, but significant age gaps or power imbalances should trigger child protection responses. Mandatory reporting applies to under-13s. Scottish Crime Recording Standard: Requires prompt recording of sexual crime reports. Categorisation depends on available evidence, including victim statements and corroboration. Maximum penalties Under the 2009 Act, the maximum sentence for sexual activity with a child under 16 is 10 years. Rape and assault by penetration can result in life imprisonment. Home Secretary announces law change in England and Wales On Monday, Yvette Cooper told MPs she would legislate to tackle this great area: 'We will change the law to ensure that adults who engage in penetrative sex with a child under 16 face the most serious charge of rape, and we will work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service and the police to ensure that there are safeguards for consensual teenage relationships.' Shadow minister calls for reform in Scotland Scottish Conservative shadow minister for victims and community safety, Sharon Dowey, said there could be alarming consequences if the law changes in England but not in Scotland: 'The Casey Review revealed some cases which will have deeply troubled the public and parents, given the age of those involved. 'They will be worried that the same grey area in the law could still exist up here where those who have sexually abused teenagers are not properly punished. 'If the rules down south are changed in light of these harrowing cases, then the law must be tightened up in Scotland as well to avoid any possibility of us becoming a safe haven for child abusers.' Summary The legal grey area flagged by Baroness Casey lies in how sexual activity with children aged 13–15 is handled: illegal by statute, but often inconsistently prosecuted. In Scotland, while the law criminalises all under-16 sexual activity and removes the possibility of consent for under-13s, the approach for 13–15-year-olds is more discretionary, which could lead to some cases being dropped or downgraded.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Hans India
Medchal DCP emphasises accountability in crime review
Hyderabad: Medchal Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) N Koti Reddy of the Cyberabad Police Commissionerate on Tuesday conducted a monthly crime review meeting. The session concluded with a strong emphasis on accountability, proactive policing, and the timely disposal of cases. The DCP directed all officers to prioritise the quality of investigations and the delivery of citizen services. The DCP undertook a detailed review of 'Under Investigation' (UI) cases, both grave and non grave, including those registered prior to 2023 and during the first half of 2024. Progress on these cases, particularly those handled by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), and the distribution of Case Diary (CD) files were thoroughly evaluated. Pendency of POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) cases, Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) cases, Magisterial Cases (MC), Post mortem Examination (PME) reports, and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) reports were all reviewed. The DCP emphasised prompt filing and close coordination for effective investigation in these crucial areas. Additionally, the performance of each police station in property detection, recovery rates, and conviction tracking was assessed. Surveillance on 'rowdy sheeters' and updates to suspect sheets for the years 2024 and 2025 were also discussed. Officers received instructions to maintain accuracy and consistency in CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems) updates and to rectify any data variations.
Irish Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Worker at Irish pilgrimage site lured workers into sex assaults
A worker at the Lough Derg pilgrimage site duped unsuspecting women into helping him fix machines at the retreat so he could sexually assault them. Tomas Gallagher fooled his five victims into thinking they were helping him repair washing machines and tumble dryers during a series of revolting incidents at the renowned religious setting. But instead of helping the devious workman, the innocent women found themselves being sexually assaulted after the 42-year-old preyed on the unsuspecting women. Details of the horrific plans hatched by Gallagher were outlined before Letterkenny Circuit Court. The father-of-one from Rathanlacky, Dunkineely pleaded guilty to a total of seven charges against five different women at the holy island on the shores of Lough Derg. He pleaded to six charges of sexual assault at St Patrick's Purgatory. These offences are contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990, as amended by Section 37 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001. He also pleaded that in the same period and location, he did attempt, by inviting, inducing, counselling or inciting a child to sexual touching. This offence is contrary to Section 4 Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act, 2017. The victims, who cannot be named to protect their identity, ranged in age from their early teens to more mature women in their later years. All of the offences took place in 2022 when Gallagher worked both as a maintenance man at the retreat as well as driving a boat taking pilgrims to and from the island. Barrister for the state, Ms Fiona Crawford, BL and investigating Garda Joanna Doherty outlined the gruesome details of the vile incidents. Statements given to Gardai by the victims told how Gallagher had approached them asking them to help him come into a laundry room as he needed help fixing various machines. The statements outlined how the unsuspecting women were asked to reach behind them into the machines while Gallagher fixed a 'pipe'. The women thought they were holding a pipe but instead they were gripping the accused man's penis. On one occasion, Gallagher told one of his victims to twist the pipe like she was "revving a motorcycle." Gallagher told another victim that the 'pipe' would be soft and moist. An older victim was approached by Gallagher who asked her to reach behind a dishwasher and hold a pipe but she "knew immediately it was no pipe" as it was warm and soft and felt like a penis. The woman couldn't see it but the shocked woman jumped back and shouted "what the f*** is that?" The woman didn't tell anybody else about the incident that day but felt upset and did later tell her daughter about what had happened. On another occasion, Gallagher asked a young teenage girl to help him with a washing machine and asked her to hold a 'pipe'. She grabbed the 'pipe' and he told her to "hold it there" as he chatted to her about school. However, the girl told how the pipe didn't feel like plastic but was warm and had a rubbery texture and that it felt sticky or sweaty. Another teenager told in her statement how Gallagher asked him to assist her with a tumble dryer and told her to put her hand behind a wooden board and he got her to hold something. He told the girl to hold the 'pipe' harder and then to loosen it and then to increase her grip before he said "yeah, that's fine." The young woman then said the pipe was 'squishy, wet and warm' and when she stood up she saw Gallagher's penis sticking out from the zipper of his trousers. One young woman eventually came forward and told a person in charge what had happened which led to others coming forward making complaints of a similar nature against Gallagher. Gallagher was interviewed by Gardai on three occasions and initially denied anything untoward had happened. During one interview with Detective Garda Paul McHugh, Gallagher admitted asking one woman to hold a pipe on a tumble dryer as it had been leaking. He claimed the woman had got up and left for no apparent reason and he had been left nervous and embarrassed by the incident. However, he later admitted the offences and entered a guilty plea. Victim impact statements from the women were read out in court while two young women chose to read out their own statements. One young woman fought back tears as she told how despite being the victim she felt ashamed and disgusted by what had happened and often thinks about if she could have stopped this from happening to other women. She added that she often thinks about Gallagher's son and that she prays that he is safe. An older victim said she feels vulnerable and intimidated by what had happened and that she is sorry that she did not speak up sooner but was afraid that people would laugh at her or not believe her. Another victim told how she was a student but failed her exams because she became depressed after Gallagher's assault on her. However, she later completed her exams and was proud of herself and was determined not to allow her attacker to ruin her life further but still feels he stole something from her. A teenage victim said she has been forced to attend counselling because of anxiety and that she is now always on edge and simply cannot trust men. She decided not to come to court as she feared that seeing Gallagher again would trigger her anxiety. Another woman, who now lives abroad and gave her evidence by videolink, told how she lives in an apartment with a lift and if a man gets into the lift she can't stop thinking "what if?" She said she realises that she should not tar all men with the same brush but Gallagher's attack had made her an angrier, wearier and a meaner person as a result. She added that she does feel disgusted by what had happened but sometimes feels glad that he had chosen her and that she had alerted the authorities to what was happening as she hated to think what number of victims there might have been. Gallagher took to the witness stand and said he wanted to apologise to his victims. He said he "truly regretted" his actions and was sorry for the hurt and pain he had caused his victims and their families. Asked by his barrister, Mr Colm Smyth, SC, if he realised this was a huge breach of trust, Gallagher replied that he did. He also revealed that he had engaged in 24 counselling sessions to better understand the impact his actions have had on others. Mr Smyth said his client accepted full responsibility for his actions, that he had now lost his employment and had become a pariah in the local community because of the publicity surrounding the case. He added the fact that the offences took place in a sacred place, a place of pilgrimage for Christian people going back many centuries also had to be acknowledged. Mr Smyth suggested to Judge John Aylmer that there also has to be "light at the end of the tunnel" for Gallagher asking him to consider his client's remorse, his blameless life up until now and his guilty plea. Judge Aylmer requested time to consider all matters and adjourned the case for final sentence to next week.
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Delhi: Woman at large for 8 years held for abduction, rape of 15-year-old girl
New Delhi, A 28-year-old woman involved in the abduction, rape, and forced marriage of a girl in Delhi has been arrested after being on the run for nearly eight years, an official said on Thursday. The woman was part of a group, which included her husband Kishan Pal and an accomplice Dinesh. They abducted the 15-year-old girl from her home in Bharatlal, Delhi, on November 1, 2017, he said. The woman was declared a proclaimed offender by a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences court in Dwarka in July 2019, he added. She was arrested on Wednesday from her native village in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh. 'The case was filed on November 2, 2017, based on a complaint lodged by the minor's father who reported her missing the previous day,' a senior police officer said. The girl was later confined in a village in Uttar Pradesh, sexually assaulted, and forcibly married off. A case was registered at Dwarka Sector-23 police station under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Section 6 of the POCSO Act. While, Kishan and Dinesh, were arrested during the initial investigation, the woman remained at large and was later declared a fugitive by the court. On May 7, based on a tip-off, a team from the Crime Branch raided the woman's village where she tried to flee into nearby fields but was caught after a brief chase, he said. 'During interrogation, she admitted to her role in the abduction, illegal confinement, and forced marriage of the minor,' the officer said. The accused was produced in court and sent to judicial custody. Police said she is illiterate and hails from Junavi village in Budaun. She had married Kishan Pal in 2015 and had been living under a false identity since the case was registered.
The Hindu
06-05-2025
- The Hindu
Over 50 offenders nabbed by Hyderabad She Teams for misbehaviour
Hyderabad She Teams arrested many offenders involved in a series of recent cases including blackmail, harassment, and exploitation of women and minors. In one case, a 30-year-old private employee was arrested after blackmailing a woman using secretly recorded intimate videos. The accused befriended the woman via Facebook and lured her to a hotel room, where he covertly recorded videos without her consent. He later threatened to release the footage unless she agreed to one of three demands: meeting him on call, arranging another woman, or paying ₹1 lakh in cash. Instead, the woman approached She Teams, who promptly arrested the man at his residence. Upon confession, he was sentenced to three days of simple imprisonment following the registration of a petty case at the victim's request. In a separate incident, a 34-year-old plumber from Begumpet was booked for blackmailing his neighbour. The man allegedly recorded a private moment while the complainant was celebrating an occasion with her colleagues. The following day, he trespassed into her house and used the footage to coerce her into a physical relationship, threatening to release the video online. The accused was arrested and sentenced to four days of simple imprisonment. The team also uncovered a false complaint filed by a woman near Secunderabad railway station. She alleged sexual assault by an unknown person and requested police intervention. However, investigations revealed that the woman is a habitual offender who targets police officers by gaining access to their mobile phones and sending obscene material, later demanding money through blackmail. A case was booked against her at Gopalapuram police station. In another instance, a GHMC vehicle driver was caught making indecent gestures towards women who come to dispose of garbage. Acting on a complaint, She Teams conducted a decoy operation and arrested the accused. He was sentenced to three days of simple imprisonment for public misconduct. Additionally, three separate Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) cases were registered at Chatrinaka, Jubilee Hills, and Madannapet police stations against individuals who manipulated minor girls with false promises of love and marriage. The accused engaged in physical relationships and later resorted to blackmail for continued exploitation. Investigations are underway. In addition, 49 individuals were caught misbehaving with women at various public places across Hyderabad. Of these, 30 were issued warnings and counseled in the presence of their family members, while two individuals were produced before the court and sentenced to two days of imprisonment along with a fine of ₹50. The She Teams urged citizens to report incidents by dialing 100 or messaging the She Teams helpline via WhatsApp on 9490616555. All reports are handled confidentially, and prompt action is assured, it said.
