Daily Archives: July 22, 2017

PHOENIX, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) - There is a victim in every crime -- a person harmed, injured, or killed as a result. If and when the perpetrator is caught, he or she could very well spend time locked up in prison. To some people, that's the end of the story -- the person is off the streets and away from the victims. However to the victim and those close to the victim, it's just the beginning of a new chapter.

"A lot of times, society thinks that once a conviction has occurred, it's all done and over with," Jan Upchurch said. "And it is not. People that are victims of crime are always impacted by that experience."

Upchurch is the administrator of the Arizona Department of Corrections Office of Victim Services. Her day-to-day consists of working with victims of crimes, making sure they get everything they need.

"It's all kinds of crimes," she said. "It can be stalking, murder, a sexual assault, financial crimes, stolen cars."

Victims of crime can "opt in" to her office's services at any time -- immediately after the crime, months after the crime, even years later when the criminal's been behind bars for years.

"All they have to do is call our number, or there's a form online through the Attorney General's office of victim services they can fill out," she said. That number is (602) 542-1853.

Once a person has opted in, her office will be a resource for many questions they might have. Some of those questions are just curiosities, others sometimes are about the judicial process.

"If they've gotten into trouble if there's disciplinary actions, what's the life like for an inmate," Upchurch said. "Sometimes people want to know that. What's their cell look like."

One of the main questions her office deals with: when will the person responsible for the crime rejoin society?

"We mail out letters usually one to two months before an inmate is released," she said."The day of his release, we actually do call the victims again and let them know that the inmate has been released."

Upchurch wasn't always an advocate for victims. But that all changed when she became one herself, after a tragic incident killed her husband.

"It was August 31, 1990," she said. "My first husband was a DPS officer and he was killed in the line of duty by a drunk driver. It shattered my world."

Her life was turned upside down that night. She's been able to move forward since that night, but she says the moment will stay with her forever.

"People that are victims of crime never get over it. It's always a part of their life," Upchurch said.

Helping others through a similar story has helped her cope with moving forward -- it's what she's made a career out of.

"To help them find some peace and a sense of justice," she said. "That's the really important part."

But for the victims and the families of victims, she says there is no such thing as closure, only a sense of justice.

"Can you ever fulfill complete justice?" Upchurch said. "No, because you can never bring someone back that has been murdered or been horrifically a victim of domestic violence or stalking."

While victims may never get the complete justice they're looking for, Upchurch says finding the sense of justice is crucial for the healing process and finding a new normal in life.

Original post:

There's no such thing as a victimless crime - KGUN

The total number of crimes recorded by police in England and Wales rose by 10 per cent between March 2016 and March 2017, according to the Office for National Statistics(ONS).

Thats the biggest annual increase in a decade, and it comes after years of cuts that have seen police numbers fall by 20,000 since 2010 (which we subjected to the FactCheck treatment earlier this year).

In April, the assistant commissioner at the Metropolitan Police, Martin Hewitt, said it would be a naive answer to say that if you cut a significant amount out of an organisation, you dont have any consequences.

But is there strong evidence that austerity played a role?

FactCheck investigates.

The police recorded nearly 5 million offences in the 12 months up to March 2017 a 10 per cent increase from the previous year. We havent seen such a sharp spike for over a decade.

Between 2004 and 2010, the number of crimes recorded by police in England and Wales each year was falling. The coalitions spending cuts started to take effect in 2011, and since then, crime rates have crept up. Theyre not as high as they were in 2003-4 (when total recorded crimes were at 6 million), but theyre on their way.

Successive governments have tried to get police forces to record the true extent of crimes for years. Forces came under renewed pressure in 2014 after the UK Statistics Authority stripped them of their official statistics status.

Since then, Her Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary has been carrying out spot-checks, and has said that many forces still need to improve their recording practices.

You might think then, that todays figures simply show that the police are responding to this pressure, and getting better at reporting crimes.

Thats been true in previous years, but it doesnt quite explain whats happened this year.

John Flatley from the ONS said that while ongoing improvements to recording practices are driving this volume rise [in the number of recorded crimes], we believe actual increases in crime are also a factor in a number of categories.

In other words, the police are getting better at recording crime, but the number of crimes is also going up.

When you compare the year-on-year changes in police numbers with the number of recorded crimes in England and Wales, its difficult to see a strong statistical link. For example, officer numbers rose between 2008 and 2009, but reported crimes fell in the same period.

This is shown in the graph below, which uses data from the ONS.

Its also worth remembering that the crimes recorded by the police are not the only way we measure crime.

The ONS also uses the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) to estimate the number of crimes each year. The Survey conducted by the ONS interviews a representative sample of the population to ask if theyve experienced crime in the last 12 months.

Interestingly, this years Survey showed a 7 per cent fall in the total number of crimes in England and Wales, despite the 10 per cent rise in crimes recorded by the police.

Although the Survey estimated that there were 5.9 million incidents of crime this year 900,000 more than the police recorded.

So why are the two figures different?

First of all, the Survey results are an estimate based on a sample size of the population, whereas police records in theory should accurately account for every single case of recordable crime.

They also measure different types of crime. The Survey does not include crimes against businesses and organisations, and excludes so-called victimless crimes like possession of drugs.

The Survey may also estimate a higher number of crimes each year because it includes crimes that were never reported to the police.

FactCheck verdict

Its true that there are 20,000 fewer police officers on the streets than there were when austerity began. Its also true that crime rates have risen over that period.

But some of that rise is because the police have got better at recording crimes. And police records are not necessarily the best measure of crime rates in England and Wales. The Crime Survey says that crime has actually fallen by 7 per cent this year.

Ultimately, its very hard to tell whether austerity has led to more crime.

Continue reading here:

Crime went up by 10% this year the biggest annual increase in a decade. What's behind the rise? - Channel 4 News

Here is the latest round-up of some of the cases at Blackpool Magistrates Court.

Oliver Wheatcroft, 26, begging

A man with money and a home was a prolific begger.

Oliver Wheatcroft was paid more than 230 a week in state benefits and was said to have chosen his begging lifestyle.

His crimes were described as not victimless and it was said people with probably less money than him had given him money and food.

Wheatcroft, 26, of Elm House Hostel, Derby Road, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to six offences of begging.

He was sentenced to a four year Criminal Behaviour Order (CRIMBO) which bans him from begging in Blackpool and fined 100 with 100 costs plus 30 victims surcharge.

Defence lawyer, Steven Townley, said an offence of begging was only punishable with a fine but from now on Wheatcroft could be sentenced to up to five years imprisonment if he breaches the order.

Prosecuting for Blackpool Council, Mike Caveney, said Wheatcroft had repeatedly been seen begging in central Blackpool.

Mr Caveney said: He is not homeless. He gets over 230 a week in housing benefits. He chooses his lifestyle to support other activities he spends money on.

It is not a victimless crime. People with possibly less money than he has have given him money and food.

Visitors are confronted with him in a dishevelled state. Business people do not like him in front of their premises.

The prosecutor added that the manager of the resorts Body Shop said Wheatcroft could be moved on several times, but he would just go round the block and come back 30 minutes later.

Mr Townley said his client had immediately pleaded guilty to the begging offences. The CRIMBO would prevent Wheatcroft from doing anything which might be seen as begging.

He told the court: You were told he is not homeless and has plenty of money. That is misleading. He has a room in a hostel.

He does not have a lot of money. He is on benefits and most of that money goes to the hostel. He is a drug addict and is getting treatment with methadone.

The order bans Wheatcroft from:

Asking people he does not know for money, food or other goods or approaching anyone for that purpose in any place to which the public have access in Blackpool Borough.

Sitting or remaining outside any business or premises to which the public have access for the purpose of begging in Blackpool.

Sitting, loitering or remaining on any highway or public thoroughfare or outside any business or premises to which the public have access, giving the impression he is waiting for any person to give him money, food or other goods. For the avoidance of doubt this includes and is not restricted to public toilets, train stations, doorways and bus shelters in Blackpool.

Here is Thursdays round-up of cases at Blackpool Magistrates Court 20-07-17

Peter McGuinness-Wood, 38, breach of post prison supervision

A man has been sent back to prison after falling asleep on a train and failing to meet his probation officer on the day he was released from jail.

Peter McGuinness-Wood had been called into the probation service offices after he missed the appointment and ended up being threatening towards his probation officer.

McGuinness-Wood, 38, of Reads Avenue, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to breaching his post prison supervision.

He was sentenced to 14 days jail.

Presiding magistrate, Brian Horrocks, told him: You had been drinking and actually made a threat to your probation officer. That is not on.

The court was told that McGuinness-Wood was released from Preston Prison on July 13 after serving a sentence for breaching a restraining order.

Gillian OFlaherty, prosecuting for the probation service, said the defendant had been told to attend the probation service offices in Blackpool that day but he did not go.

McGuinness-Wood later phoned his probation officer and said he had not kept the appointment as he had called asleep on the train and woken up in Oxenholme.

On July 18 the defendant had attended at the probation service offices. He appeared under the influence of alcohol and became argumentative.

A warrant for his arrest for breaching his post prison sentence had been issued and the police arrived.

McGuinness-Wood said to his probation officer: One day you and me will bump into each other in the street. And he lunged at the officer as he was led out.

Stephen Duffy, defending, said after being released from jail his client had fallen asleep on the train and missed his appointment with his probation officer.

His probation officer then told him to go to the probation service offices on July 18.

McGuinness-Wood got upset because he felt his probation officer should not be calling the police to tell them he was there.

Mr Duffy added: His perception of a probation officer was an old-fashioned one of a court appointed friend.

He felt he had been hoodwinked into attending the probation service offices and was not told a warrant had been issued to arrest him. He got upset as he felt he should have been told beforehand.

Stephen Allen, 37, possessing cocaine with intent to supply

A man accused of having half-a-million pounds of cocaine concealed in a secret compartment in the car he was driving as he headed towards Blackpool has made his first appearance at court.

Stephen Allen is said to have been stopped on the M55 and a painstaking investigation into the vehicle by police revealed a void concealed behind the drivers seat which contained almost two kilograms of cocaine which was 81 percent pure.

Allen, 37, of Warrington Road, Prescot, Merseyside, is charged with possessing cocaine with intent to supply the drug on February 17 this year.

He was arrested at Manchester Airport on Tuesday after flying into the country from Barcelona.

Prosecutor, Sarah Perkins, asked for the case to be heard at crown court and opposed bail.

Allen was remanded in custody to appear at Preston Crown Court on August 16.

Christopher Rogers, 26, assault

A man accused of punching his 23-weeks pregnant girlfriend and spraying her with a fire extinguisher has made his first appearance at court.

Christopher Rogers, 26, of Broughton Avenue, Layton, pleaded not guilty to assault and causing 70 worth of damage to his partners hair straighteners, laundry maiden and a light fitting.

Rogers was bailed to October 6 for tria.

He must not contact the complainant or go within 50 metres of an address on the resorts Talbot Road as conditions of his bail.

See the original post here:

Blackpool: From the courts 21-07-17 - Blackpool Gazette

THREE graffiti vandals responsible for nearly 4,000 of damage have been ordered to pay compensation.

Ben Bartlett, 23, of Neville Close, Salisbury, Michael Davies, 29, of Rollestone Street, Salisbury, and Jack Ellis, 21, of Shears Drive, Amesbury, admitted criminal damage in Salisbury Magistrate's Court today (Friday).

The trio were responsible for 3,928.87 worth of damage and appeared in court for 14 charges between them.

Prosecuting, Kate Prince, said Wiltshire Police had been investigating an increase of graffiti in Salisbury with more than 200 "tags" recorded between January and October 2016.

Bartlett was identified as a suspect made full admissions when arrested.

Davies was arrested after admitting on his Facebook page that he was a graffiti writer, rather than his brother who had wrongly been arrested.

Ellis also outed himself on Facebook in a series of comments on the Journals Facebook page and his own profile.

Items they vandalised included a carriage at Salisbury railway station, to which 2,100 worth of damage was caused.

An Iceland delivery van, a shutter belonging to the Trussell Trust, a wall of the Chapter House pub and other buildings around the city had also been vandalised.

Bartlett used the tag 'Nesek', Davies used 'KRS' or 'Kearsey' and Ellis used 'Peak' or 'PK'.

A statement from Cllr Mike Osment stated: "Unsolicited, wanton graffiti is simply an act of vandalism in a different form.

"In this financial year [2016], and on Salisbury City Council land alone, 1,320 has already been spent with contractors to remove graffiti with another estimated 1,200 yet to be arranged.

"It should also be remembered at all times that of course the monies taken to remedy graffiti is not from some mysterious source, it is public money that everybody pays via their various taxes.

"In today's climate of ever lessening availability of public funds, the impact of graffiti is therefore extenuated to an even higher level of impact."

Bartlett, representing himself in court, said: "We love the art, we love it with a passion."

He said he had to travel to Southampton or Bournemouth to paint graffiti legally, despite his low income.

He told magistrates Salisbury "should have a wall of its own to do it [graffiti] without the worry of being caught or anything".

Defending, Matthew George said Salisbury City Council had declined Davies' offer to clean up the graffiti.

He said Davies had stopped doing graffiti and had a "desire to become a professional artist".

Defending Ellis, Nick Redhead said: "I think it would be fair to say these are not always easy crimes for the police to investigate.

"To a significant extent, Mr Ellis has sidestepped that difficulty for the police by making the disclosures that he has."

He added: "This is not a victimless crime and sometimes people lose sight of that, as perhaps Mr Ellis did.

"He expresses himself as more interested in the art side of this, rather than damaging people's property."

Magistrate Debbie Slater order Bartlett to pay compensation of 2,268, Davies to pay 785 and Ellis to pay 875.

Bartlett and Ellis must also carry out 150 hours' unpaid work each, but Davies was unsuitable due to depression.

See more here:

Graffiti trio sentenced for 4,000 vandalism spree (From Salisbury ... - Salisbury Journal

PUBLISHED: 15:10 20 July 2017 | UPDATED: 16:47 20 July 2017

Erpingham Church.

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Today the men were jailed for a total of 10 years and 10 months for conspiring to steal lead from churches at Erpingham and Baconsthorpe.

Sentencing the four, Recorder Frank Burton QC said stealing lead from churches was not a victimless crime.

He said: Im quite satisfied that there was a degree of sophistication and significant planning. These churches are uninhabited and they are vulnerable.

The damage caused great harm to the architectural richness of the region which is cherished by believers and non-believers.

Robert Balotesco, 38 and Razvan Cracea, 27, were both jailed for three years and one month while Stengatu Ciprian, 25, and Ion Dan, 25, were given two years and four months.

The court heard how the raiders stole lead from St Marys Church in Baconsthorpe, near Holt, on the evening of March 3-4 and again on the evening of April 26-27, causing about 100,000 of damage.

They also struck St Marys at Erpingham on May 9, but fled after an alarm went off. But they returned to the church on May 16, stealing lead and leaving a replacement bill of 10,000-50,000.

The court heard Ciprian and Dan joined the group on May 20, but were still knowingly part of the conspiracy.

The four men, who were travelling in a van, were arrested after a police pursuit near Wisbech. Several other men escaped from the scene.

Mr Burton said members of the church community were left totally crushed and devastated by thefts and doubted their ability to raise enough money to fix the roofs.

All four men, who were based in the Coventry area, pleaded guilty on June 19 to one count of conspiracy to steal lead from churches between March 1 and May 21 this year.

In mitigation, the court heard the men felt genuine remorse for the crimes.

This newspaper has a campaign called Stop The Roof Raiders which aims to raise awareness of this region-wide issue.

Read more from the original source:

Four who stole lead from Erpingham and Baconsthorpe churches left communities 'totally crushed and devastated' - Norfolk Eastern Daily Press