Former justice secretaries hit out at Matt Hancock s 10-year sentences for avoiding quarantine
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland was not consulted over plans because there was no new criminal offence being introduced
10 February 2021 • 7:31pm
Four former justice secretaries have condemned Matt Hancock s 10-year jail sentences for people who lie about their travel history, while a further two are said to be opposed to the disproportionate plan as it emerged that their former department was not consulted over the proposals.
With Tory MPs and lawyers claiming the threat demeaned his office , the ex-Cabinet ministers described the sentences as overkill that risked bringing the criminal justice system into disrepute.
A general view of Winchester Crown Court (Chris Ison/PA)
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A detective has pleaded not guilty to forging a witness statement during a murder investigation.
Detective Constable Robert Ferrow, of Hampshire police, is accused of completing and signing the statement as part of the investigation into the death of mother-of-five Lucy-Anne Rushton in Andover in June 2019.
Lucy-Anne Rushton (Family handout/PA)
He appeared at Winchester Crown Court where he denied the offence of making a false instrument with intent for it to be accepted as genuine, under the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981.
14:42 EDT, 20 January 2021
A detective has pleaded not guilty to forging a witness statement during a murder investigation.
Detective Constable Robert Ferrow, of Hampshire police, is accused of completing and signing the statement as part of the investigation into the death of mother-of-five Lucy-Anne Rushton in Andover in June 2019.
Ms Rushton s husband Shaun Dyson, 28, was jailed for life to serve minimum of 17 years for the murder last December.
A detective has pleaded not guilty to forging a witness statement during the murder investigation of Lucy-Anne Rushton, who was killed by her husband Shaun Dyson (pictured together)
Ferrow appeared at Winchester Crown Court (pictured) on Wednesday where he denied making the false statement