Court Report: 12/11/2020 @ Snaresbrook Crown Court
I’m in Courtroom 4 before His Honour Judge M Zeidman QC (The Honorary Recorder of Redbridge) for a 2pm Sentencing hearing. Readers may recall a previous blog post regarding HHJ Shanks’ attitude to this defendant and the matters concerned, declaring “I won’t be here and I can’t say I’m that disappointed” when adjourning the hearing.
I ended that blog post with “One hopes the next judge is slightly more enthusiastic.” I’m pleased to say HHJ Zeidman QC certainly was – “I’m keeping you as my project” he tells the defendant.
As mentioned previously I’m not going to name the exact offence here suffice to say that it falls under the remit of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 so therefore is subject to reporting restrictions.
“Do you mind if I ask you a personal question” the judge asks the defendant – “Why do you keep committing so many offences? … can you see – pages and pages. We’ve got to do something to keep you from committing so many”
This does seem a remarkably difficult case to sentence though with the judge describing the “worrying defendant” as having over 107 previous convictions. O
ne of the matters before the court today was committed in 2016 and another matter, one of failing to notify the police of his address whilst on the Sex offender register, had made it to the listing office but not onto the computer system – A difficulty that makes the judge consider whether the court has any jurisdiction in dealing with a matter not formally accepted by the court.
The court adjourns for a short while to allow the listing office to create a file.
Upon resumption we’re told the sending sheet was uploaded to the wrong place some 3 months ago but the file has now been created with the judge confirming that “the court is now seized of these matters”.
It is at this moment the defence barrister raises a rather important issue – he hasn’t been formally instructed in the latest matter just added which ethically may cause “professional problems”. It looks the case will, quite rightly, have to be adjourned (again).
Rather than dismiss this defendant onto someone else HHJ Zeidman QC explains that for consistency he is “keeping (him) until this is sorted”. He explains to the defendant that “the New Year is a great opportunity for a new start” and if a note were to be written to the court detailing his plans for the future then it would be read.
The court adjourns until mid-December and with the prospect of a release from prison the defendant may well be hoping for an early Christmas present.
Mouse in the Court 