Delay to abuse of Process case:
It will
not be heard before 10 am Thursday
24 Feb 2011
Guildford Crown Court
Ms Morris
says "I would like to thank everyone who gave
their support, either in body or spirit, for my
court case on 4 February. It is gratefully
appreciated. This is a harrowing time for my
family and I, but we are strengthened by knowing
that people's thoughts are with us.
The case
has been adjourned till 21 February, if anybody
would like to attend court you'd be very welcome
as we hope to put forward a strong united
front."
Perverse
prosecution undermines women’s safety.
Fri 4 February, 2pm, Guildford Crown Court:
abuse of process against Surrey Police on behalf
of
Hanna Morris.
The case aims to stop the prosecution of Ms
Morris who reported a violent attack and now
faces charges for brothel-keeping and money
laundering.
On 16 September 2009, Ms Morris dialled 999 when
two identifiable men, one who appeared to have a
sawn-off shot gun up his sleeve, barged into a
flat used by her escort agency, threw petrol
around and threatened to torch the place.
Anxious to protect the women who work for the
agency, Ms Morris innocently helped the police
investigation.
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The abuse of process case is being
brought because:
·
The investigation against the dangerous
men has been dropped, but Ms Morris is
being prosecuted.
·
Ms Morris’s gave the police information
on the understanding that it was needed
to pursue the attackers. Without it,
Surrey Police would have no evidence
against her.
·
Ms Morris was never at any point
cautioned that what she was telling the
police would be used as evidence against
her.
·
If the judge rules that there has been
no abuse of process, Ms Morris will ask
the court to exclude evidence obtained
from her, from any proceedings against
her. |
Ms Morris’ solicitor Nigel Richardson (Hodge
Jones and Allen) wrote to Surrey
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
to ask for the prosecution to be dropped as it
is “completely contrary to the stated aims of
trying to improve the safety of sex workers”
and that “it is hard to see how a prosecution
in this case can do anything but . . . make
would-be attackers more confident in their
actions and increase the dangers for working
women. . . the prosecution of this
offence is likely to directly discourage the
reporting of crimes against potentially
vulnerable women and thus increase risks to
their safety.”
Why is Ms Morris being prosecuted for trying to
protect women and ensure that violent men are
not free to attack others? The Director of
Public Prosecutions claims to prioritise women’s
safety. What does he have to say about this
prosecution?
The prominent anti-rape group
Women Against Rape comments:
“90%
of rapists go free. Prosecuting Hannah Morris
who tried to bring two violent men to justice is
perverse. Rapists and other violent men often
target sex workers assuming they cannot call the
police. If sex workers are denied the
protection of the law, this vulnerability is
magnified. The CPS and police should prosecute
rapists, not victims."
Is profiteering by police and CPS behind this
surge of prosecutions?
Hanna Morris is not the only woman who is being
prosecuted in this way.
The CPS’s record is riddled with such
injustices. Under
Proceeds of Crime law the police keep 50% of
assets confiscated during raids and 25% from
subsequent prosecutions, with the CPS keeping
another 25% and the Inland Revenue the rest. Ms
Morris’s home and life savings have been frozen
pending confiscation if she is found guilty.
English Collective of Prostitutes
020 7482 2496
www.prostitutescollective.net ecp@prostitutescollective.net
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