would have been 13 at the time rikki neave disappeared in 1994. the old bailey was told he had been exhibiting a grotesque interest in the subject of child murder. jo black reports. ricky neave was only six when he was murdered 27 years ago. he left home for school on the welland estate in peterborough, but never returned. the following day, his naked body was discovered in woodland, a place familiar to children in the area. the court was told that ricky had most likely been strangled, and that the killer deliberately laid his body out in a star shape. there was no sign of his clothing, but nearby on a leaf was a single small, white shirt button. the next day, his school uniform was discovered in a wheelie bin nearby, small toys and cards still in his pocket. six months later, ruth neave, was accused of his murder. she was unanimously cleared by a jury, but was jailed after admitting cruelty charges. the court was told that ricky was well known on the estate, but was a venerable chil
27 years later, james watson is now accused of the little boy s murder. in 2015, a new investigation was opened using techniques not available in the mid 1990s. scientific examination of an adhesive tape from ricky s clothes were examined, and a dna match to james watson was allegedly made. james watson would have been 13 years old at the time of the death, and the court was told he had been seen with ricky on the morning of 28 november, 1994. the court heard his teachers told police at the time that he had a conspicuous reoccupation with ricky neave s death. conspicuous preoccupation. james watson denies murder and the case is expected to last eight weeks. jo black, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news. the prime minister has denied categorically he was warned at a downing street garden party was against the law. hundreds lined the
are not anxious by any stretch, we are not anxious by any stretch, we are very highly trained, as i ve mentioned, we have lots of structures and procedures, and sentencing guidelines. we always work with a legal adviser who is usually a barrister, and we are very experienced in pretty good at what we do, hence the very low appeal rate of around 4%. in we do, hence the very low appeal rate of around 4%. rate of around 4%. in terms of practicalities of rate of around 4%. in terms of practicalities of this, rate of around 4%. in terms of practicalities of this, the - rate of around 4%. in terms of| practicalities of this, the power rate of around 4%. in terms of. practicalities of this, the power to sentence up to six months has given you quite a lot of cases, but presumably there have been a lot of cases beyond the six months which are comparatively minor crimes when thatis are comparatively minor crimes when that is automatically had to go to a magistrates crown court even though i
maximum of six months. joining me now is bev higgs, the national chair of the magistrates association. she s in somerset this evening, thanks for being with us on bbc news. first of all, this is a power that i think magistrates themselves have been lobbying for for quite some time. what difference do you believe it will make day to day? the believe it will make day to day? iie: magistrates believe it will make day to day? tie: magistrates courts believe it will make day to day? ti9 magistrates courts are believe it will make day to day? ti9: magistrates courts are very believe it will make day to day? ti9 magistrates courts are very busy. we hear 97% of all criminal court cases in the country and have a very low appeal rate of 4%. we ve been lobbying for this change for some time, because we are aware of problems building up at the crown court leading to long delays and particularly for the victims, defendants and witnesses involved in cases. so that it was something we were very kee
accept a jurisdiction in the case, thenit accept a jurisdiction in the case, then it is put to the defendant that they have a choice to have the case in dash trial in the magistrates court, or going to the crown court. of course some people will still elect to do that. however there s actually no evidence to assume that the current rates of election to go to the crown court will change. fine to the crown court will change. one final question. to the crown court will change. one final question, just to help people following at home can you give us examples of things that might be affected by this change, the sort of offences you might now be seeing that you currently don t have any power over? in that you currently don t have any power over? that you currently don t have any power over? in actual fact, we do see the full power over? in actual fact, we do see the full range power over? in actual fact, we do see the full range of power over? in actual fact, we do see the full