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Proceeding contribution from Lord Northbourne (Crossbench) in the House of Lords on Tuesday, 2 May 2006. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee proceeding on Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill [HL].


Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill [HL]

Perhaps the Minister will help me on cautions. Of course, where there has been a decision by the court that a crime has been committed, that crime has been committed for all purposes. But am I not right in believing that sometimes cautions are used as a trade-off? If someone is prepared to accept guilt in order not to have the exposure of going to court, in cases of a sexual nature there would be a tremendous incentive to say, ““Alright, I’ll say I did it and you can give me a caution””, rather than the case being dragged through the courts and on the front page of the Daily Mail. One could argue that a person who puts himself in that position should be on the barred list, but it seems that some innocent people might be swept in by using cautions in that way.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
681 c188-9GC 
Session
2005-06
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords Grand Committee
Subjects
Disability Children Disclosure of information Codes of practice Abuse Appeals Costs Advisory services Finance Human rights Internet Personal records Protection Membership Public appointments Older people Mental capacity Vetting Vulnerable adults Sexual offences Independent Safeguarding Authority
Legislation
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill (HL) 2005-06
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk