Source: The Ministry Of Justice published on this website Tuesday 4 November 2025 by Jill Powel

The new amendments – a key part of the Government’s Plan for Change – will mean criminals who take or share an intimate image without consent can be prosecuted up to three years after the offence was committed, giving victims crucial time and breathing space to come forward.  

This will help break down unnecessary barriers victims face when reporting a crime, improving access to justice for those who need it the most. 

Intimate image abuse is an abhorrent sexual offence, and this Government is determined to see the perpetrators of these cowardly crimes get the punishment they deserve. 

Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, Alex Davies-Jones said:

“Online misogyny has devastating real-life consequences for all of us. Every day, women and girls have their lives turned upside down by cowards who hide behind screens to abuse and exploit them. This government will not stand by whilst women are violated online and victimised by violent pornography which is allowed to normalise harm. We are sending a strong message that dangerous and sexist behaviour will not be tolerated.” 

A further amendment will crack down on violent pornography, criminalising the possession and publication of images depicting strangulation and suffocation. 

This follows a recommendation from Baroness Bertin’s Independent Porn Review, which found pornography has contributed to establishing strangulation as a ‘sexual norm’, particularly among young people who may be unaware of its long-term harms. 

Tech Secretary Liz Kendall said:  

“Viewing and sharing this kind of material online is not only deeply distressing, it is vile and dangerous. Those who post or promote such content are contributing to a culture of violence and abuse that has no place in our society.

“We’re also holding tech companies to account and making sure they stop this content before it can spread. We are determined to make sure women and girls can go online without fear of violence or exploitation.”

The depiction of strangulation in pornography will be designated as a priority offence under the Online Safety Act, meaning platforms will be held accountable and ensuring content does not spread, which can lead to normalising harmful practices in people’s private lives.

They will be required to take proactive steps to prevent users from seeing illegal strangulation and suffocation content. This could include companies using automated systems to pre-emptively detect and hide the images, moderation tools or stricter content policies to prevent abusive content from circulating.

Bernie Ryan, CEO of the Institute for Addressing Strangulation said:

“IFAS welcomes the Government’s move to ban the depiction of strangulation in pornography. While consenting adults have the right to explore their sexuality safely and freely, we must recognise the serious risks posed by unregulated online content, especially to children and young people.

“Strangulation is a serious form of violence, often used in domestic abuse to control, silence, or terrify. When it’s portrayed in pornography, particularly without context, it can send confusing and harmful messages to young people about what is normal or acceptable in intimate relationships. Our research shows there is no safe way to strangle.

Source: Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) (CPS) published on this website Friday 31 October 2025 by Jill Powell

Prosecutors are asking for views on how they prosecute ‘gang’-based offenders and whether guidance is needed on musical expression in prosecutions to help better protect the public.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has today launched a two-part public consultation seeking views on updating prosecution guidance on ‘gang’-related offending, as well as welcoming views on whether guidance is needed on the use of musical expression, including lyrics, as evidence in criminal prosecutions.

The current gangs guidance was published in 2020 and the CPS is asking whether standalone guidance is still appropriate, or whether the issues raised should be incorporated into other pieces of guidance. In particular, the CPS is interested in understanding a range of perspectives on how best to define a ‘gang’ and to guard against bias and stereotypes, to ensure fair and effective prosecutions for all.

Prosecutors are also consulting on whether guidance is needed over the use of musical expression in court cases. 

Lyrics from songs have been used as evidence in a courtroom in situations where a defendant has admitted to committing a crime. This is normally utilised as part of a package of evidence, in the same way a written or spoken confession would be. There are always legal safeguards to such evidence being presented to a jury. 

In other scenarios, when appropriate, the prosecution has been able to present evidence showing musical expression has been used in a build-up to a violent crime or to reveal information about a crime that only the attackers would know. Musical evidence and ‘gang’ evidence has also been used to show association between different parties in some cases of serious violence. 

As an impartial prosecuting authority, the consultation launched by the CPS into these issues will aim to make sure the legal guidance used by criminal prosecutors, who decide what evidence could be used in a courtroom, is clear, culturally aware and fit-for-purpose in England and Wales. 

The CPS are inviting responses from the public, musical artists, legal voices and other interested parties to help shape how prosecutors approach these issues. 

The first part of the consultation focuses on updating the guidance for prosecutors when considering cases involving alleged ‘gang’ affiliations. 

The second part explores the use of musical expression such as lyrics, videos, and performances as potential evidential material in criminal proceedings. At present there is no guidance on the use of musical expression as evidence in prosecutions, and these are decided on a case-by-case basis when deemed relevant. 

Lionel Idan, Chief Crown Prosecutor for London South and CPS Disproportionality Lead, said: “Gang-based violence has a significant detrimental impact on the safety of our communities, and has been shown to lead to devastating consequences.  

“We understand the debate and community concerns that exist around how ‘gang’ labels are applied, and how using music as evidence in criminal prosecutions may be considered a hinderance to creative licence. 

“That is why this consultation is an important opportunity for us to hear directly from the public and those most affected by these issues. We want to ensure our guidance is not only legally sound, but also socially informed, consistent and fair.

“The CPS want to hear and learn from a wide range of views to make sure that any guidance we issue to our prosecutors incorporates and reflects the diverse experiences and expectations of the public we serve.”

This consultation is part of the commitment to ensuring transparency, fairness and consistent decision-making in the criminal justice system.  

The consultation is now live and will remain open for responses for a 12-week period until 22 January 2026. After this, a report with a summary of the responses will be published. 

Solicitor General Ellie Reeves MP said: “Gang violence devastates communities and ruins lives. We are determined to protect the public from the threat of gang violence and strengthen the criminal justice system to deliver for victims. 

“We welcome this consultation, which will help prosecutors have clear and updated guidance that is fair and relevant for our communities today. I encourage everyone to contribute their views so we can get this important balance right.”

To participate in the consultation click here.

Source: Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) published on this website Monday 3 November 2025 by Jill Powell

A creator of a private online group which was set up exclusively for the sexual exploitation of children has been jailed on 31 October.

Michael Clennell, 46, has been sentenced to a total of 9.5 years at Snaresbrook Crown Court for multiple counts of child abuse including the facilitation of the sexual exploitation of children, participation in an organised crime group and the making, possession, and distribution of indecent images of children after pleading guilty to these offences. He was also given six years on extended licence.

This prosecution came after an NCA investigation into Clennell, who is responsible for the creation and moderation of a private online group in which the sexual abuse of children is openly discussed, and indecent images of children are circulated, including those of a 16-year-old girl he had travelled to Germany to meet.  Clennell had further participated in another similar online group in which amongst other activity members discussed techniques on how to groom victims, which the evidence revealed he had put into practise.

Robbie Weber, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“Michael Clennell had further participated in another similar online group in which amongst other activity members discussed techniques on how to groom victims, which the evidence revealed he had put into practice.

“The CPS is determined to tackle child sexual abuse in all its forms and to help stop the devastating impact of these crimes on victims.

“I encourage any victims of child sexual abuse and sexual violence to report the crimes committed against them to the police. You are not alone and there is always help available.”

To deal with some of the more complex and challenging child sexual abuse cases like this, the CPS has established a dedicated Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit to share specialist understanding, build strong cases and increase the amount of successful prosecutions.

Source: Merseyside Police published on this website Thursday 30 October 2025 by Jill Powell

A man and a woman have been found guilty of murdering their baby boy in Wirral last year.

On Sunday 24 November we received a report that a three-month-old baby boy, Miguel Pirjani, was found unresponsive at a house in Seacombe.

The infant received treatment in hospital but despite the efforts of medical professionals, he was sadly pronounced deceased five days later, on Friday 29 November.

Klevi Pirjani, 37 years, and Nivalda Santos Pirjani, 34 years, both of Percy Road, Seacombe were initially arrested and charged with causing grievous bodily harm and Section 18 wounding with intent.

Following the boy’s death, they were charged with murder and causing or allowing the death of a child.

A three-week trial commenced on Monday 6 October and Miguel’s mum, Nivalda Santos Pirjani, pleaded guilty to Causing/allowing death of a child.

Today, Wednesday 29 October, the jury found Klevi Pirjani and his wife, Nivalda, guilty of murder and Section 18 assault.

Speaking about the verdict, the Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Holly Chance said: “This was a truly shocking murder of baby Miguel Pirjani, and it has been an extremely distressing case for us to investigate.

“Miguel was only three months old when his life was tragically cut short at the violent hands of his parents.  

“Today’s conviction of Klevi and Nivalda is exceptionally heartbreaking as Miguel lost his life tragically by his own parents who were meant to nurture and protect him from harm.”

Klevi Pirjani, and Nivalda Santos Pirjani will both be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court at a later date.

If you have any concerns for a person’s welfare contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously. In an emergency always call 999.

If you are a child or young person suffering physical abuse or know of someone suffering from such violence the following organisations can also provide help and support:

NSPCC – call 0808 800 5000 or e-mail help@nspcc.org.uk.
Childline – call 0800 1111