900 sexual offences committed by individuals on bail

Almost 900 sexual offences were committed between 2020 and 2022 by people on bail, according to statistics from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).

A Freedom of Information request by the News found the figure totaled 887 for the three years and had risen annually, with 184 offences committed in 2020, increasing to 326 in 2021 and 377 in 2022.

News was rejected of the data for 2023 ahead of broader crime statistics being published on Thursday morning, and she has now been told to submit another FOI request to access the information, meaning at least 20 days until the figures are revealed.

However, the trend indicates the number of offences is likely to have tipped over the 1,000 mark over the four-year period.

Charities and legal professionals warned the numbers were a “disastrous consequence” of a “broken” court system, which sees those on bail facing record delays before their cases are heard, putting them “at risk of reoffending for extended periods.”

The statistics come after claims defendants deemed “lower risk” could be released on police bail without a court hearing as part of emergency measures triggered on Wednesday to tackle prison overcrowding, with hundreds of bail hearings being delayed in case the defendant is placed on remand but has no prison cell to go to.

An MoJ source told News that it was up to the police to decide whether to release someone. The department will not issue an order for their release.

But with police cells being used to house overcrowded prisoners, another emergency procedure was triggered last week. There could be pressure to make room.

The Survivors Trust, a national organization helping rape and sexual abuse victims, is led by a chief executive. People who have been attacked by those on bail expressed feelings of being “let down” by the government.

“There can be a lot of fear around exactly what’s happening,” Fay Maxte told the News. “Many, many survivors [of sexual offences and other crimes] report them because they want to protect others.

They’re not driven by revenge. Instead, they’re wanting to make things better. They hope to make the community a safer place.

It’s devastating to find out that the person you made a report about is still in the community. So, the person you reported is still active in the community.

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Ms. Maxted laid much of the blame at the door for delays in the court system. These delays leave people on bail for longer periods. The consequences of such delays, according to Ms. Maxted, are disastrous.

“People can be questioned and then released on bail,” she said. “It might take a year or two before they appear in court.” “This situation is truly unacceptable,” she added. “Our system is currently broken.”

I’m not always sure everyone appreciates the impact of sexual violence and abuse. The potentially lifelong impact on someone’s health and well-being should not be underestimated.

The charity chief expressed concerns about court delays. The Criminal Bar Association supported the concerns. They stated that the figures revealed a “systemic failure” on the part of the government to address the issue.

Analysts from the organisation used the average time for a rape trial with a bailed defendant to conclude after charges, saying it had risen 80% in five years to around 18 months, with many court dates now being fixed in the summer of 2026 for charges made last year or early 2024.

Chair of the CBA, Tana Adkin KC, shared this with News:

Chair of the CBA, Tana Adkin KC, shared with News: “The number of sexual offenses committed by those on bail for previous untried offenses has more than doubled. The specific numbers were 2020 and 2022.

“This indicates a systemic failure to deliver on a core government duty to protect all citizens from harm.”

She pointed out that a lack of investment exists in criminal barristers. This, she explained, hinders the swift trial of charges in court. This could have dire consequences. For the innocent, they would be unable to clear their name. For those culpable, there would be a risk of reoffending on bail for extended periods.

Ms. Adkin added: “Years of underfunding experienced by criminal justice professionals can impact their ability to ensure the handling of offences. Once charged, legal proceedings have real-life consequences for defendants, witnesses, complainants, victims, and their families. These consequences are magnified by the historic delays in our criminal courts.

Survivors Trust is advocating

The Survivors Trust is advocating for sexual offences to be tried in court. They suggest the involvement of a panel of judges and laypeople to help victims navigate the process more efficiently.This approach, according to Ms. Maxted, would also likely reduce the number of offences committed while people are on bail.

“You wouldn’t want a situation where there are unfair trials,” she said. “There has got to be a process where everyone is able to present their case.

“But at the moment we’re leaving victims vulnerable and then leaving communities vulnerable, and the statistics are proving this.

“If someone’s already been arrested and then released on bail, and then they re-offended, how much more do they have to do to prove that they are a danger in the community?”

MoJ statistics revealed that there were 7,693 incidents of violence against a person reported between 2020 and NUM The offenses ranged from assault to murder. The person responsible for these offences was on bail at the time.

Further Offences

There were a further 17,243 theft offences, along with 1,137 robbery offenses and 411 incidents of criminal damage and arson.Along with Nearly 900 sexual offences committed by individuals on bail, charities highlight the devastating impact of malfunctioning courts

The department is under pressure for its handling of the court system. It is also facing criticism for its management of the prison service. The figures will be an embarrassment to the department.

Ministers have ordered the early release of prisoners serving sentences of less than four years. In addition to this, changes to bail hearings have been mentioned above. This could mean up to 70 days of early freedom for some prisoners starting this month. Institutions for male prisoners may become full by June, according to predictions.

No one will be released if they are deemed a threat to the public. Additionally, those who have committed a serious offense will not be released.

But Labour accused him of misleading the Commons.They pointed to fresh reports from the chief inspector of prisons. The report stated that some prisoners who have been released pose a risk to children. These prisoners have a “history of stalking and domestic abuse. and are subject to a restraining order.”