Stuart Hall Pleads Guilty To All Charges...

[Sharingan]

Oh my word he's pleaded guilty.

[Hopkirk]

I bet he didn't use his trademark laugh.

[emmie]

perhaps there was overwhelming evidence and it was no good trying to plead not guilty, who's next....

[daffy654]

By pleading guilty he has saved the victims from having to give evidence in open court, he has also saved himself from the inevitable media frenzy that would have accompanied a prolonged trial.

I wonder what was uppermost in his mind when he made his decision to plead guilty?

[jim360]

Hopefully, the knowledge that he did it.

[jno]

at 85, he might expect to die in prison.

Jim, he spent a while denying it.

[jim360]

I'm not saying he did it exactly, and I did know that he denied it -- but then so did Chris Huhne. What I mean is I hope for the sake of justice that he isn't pleading guilty while being innocent -- that he doesn't feel forced to do so.

[ummmm]

Why would he plead guilty if he was innocent?

[Bbbananas]

You just wouldn't, would you?!

[jno]

he apparently pleaded guilty a while ago but it was under reporting restrictions for some reason.

[jim360]

I might just be being stupid I suppose.

[Barmaid]

He would have had advice and he wouldn't have pleaded guilty unless he was. Perhaps his conscience got the better of him.

However, it looks as if he has only pleaded guilty to the indecent assaults. I don't know if he will face trial on the other charges or whether they will be allowed to lie on file.

[jno]

three charges of indecent assault and one fo rape left on the files. Why is that, Barmaid?

[Barmaid]

It means the prosecution have decided not to proceed with the other charges because it is not in the public interest to proceed. I would guess that have taken the view that they "have enough" and not to put the victims through a trial when it is unlikely to result in a much higher sentence (let's face it, at his age even a short prison sentence is going to mean life) or they were slightly unsure of "getting home" on those offences. In either case there will have been significant consultation with the victims.

The legal effect is that the proceedings have not been finally disposed of, but that they cannot be pursued without the consent of the Crown Court or Court of Appeal

[jno]

ta, Barmaid. I was wondering if he'd in effect got off what looks like the most serious charge, the rape. From the public's point of view that probably makes sense as he'd be unlikely to serve more jail time; the (alleged) victim may feel otherwise, though.

[Barmaid]

The prosecution would have fully consulted her. According to the DM (if you believe that hideous rag) the decision met with her "full approval".

[jno]

fair enough; seeing him go down without having to be cross-examined yourself (if he was planning to defend that one) should be gratifying enough.

[Barmaid]

Jno - bit more on the rape charge - this is what the CPS said

"We have this week met with the woman who alleged that she had been raped by Stuart Hall, a charge which he has denied. The welfare of complainants is a top priority for us and we always take their concerns into account. In light of the guilty pleas already entered, the complainant no longer wishes to give evidence on the allegation of rape, and we have concluded that it would not be in the public interest to take steps to make her give evidence in court. As such, we will not be proceeding with this charge."

[Dee Sa]

he is lucky to have got away with the more serious charge, his lawyer probably did some sort of deal with the prosecuting people, he will go to jail though , he deserves to go.
Having said that it seems to be getting like a witch hunt lately.

[jno]

thanks, Barmaid.

Dee Sa, what's wrong with hunting sexual predators and paedophiles?

[daffy654]

I have a lot of respect for the victims of rape, sexual abuse and sexual assault to have to courage to bring charges against their attacker. I would never be brave enough to do it.