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What Happens If I Breach A Forced Marriage Protection Order?

Posted on: January 13th, 2015 by steve

What Happens If I Breach A Forced Marriage Protection Order?

 

A Forced Marriage Protection Order can be made by a court to protect a person from being forced into a marriage.

 

Previously, breach of such an order could only result in contempt of court. Now, under section 120 of the Family Law Act 1996, it is a criminal offence.

 

A person can only be guilty of breaching a Forced Marriage Protection Order if they were aware of the order’s existence at the time of the breach.

 

A person being prosecuted for the criminal offence of breaching an order cannot also be prosecuted for contempt of court. If the breach has already been punished as a contempt of court, it cannot then also be criminally prosecuted.

 

The offence came into force on 16 June 2014 and has no retrospective power. It applies only to offences occurring on or after that date, even if the order was made prior to that date.

 

This is an offence that a person can be arrested for and the maximum penalty for it is 5 years’ imprisonment.

 

If you are accused of breaching a Forced Marriage Protection Order, it is vital that you seek urgent advice from a solicitor for forced marriage. This area of law is not common and specialist advice should be sought.

 

Forrest Williams are solicitors for forced marriage – call us now for expert advice on 01623 397200.

Explaining The Law on Forced Marriages

Posted on: January 13th, 2015 by steve

Explaining The Law On Forced Marriages

 

Forced marriages are now a criminal offence, under section 121 of the Family Law Act 1996.

 

The Act, which via section 120, also makes breach of a Forced Marriage Protection Order a criminal offence as opposed to something that could only be dealt with as contempt of court, criminalises the intentional forcing of a person into entering a marriage whilst believing that the person does not consent.

 

It also criminalises the act of deceiving someone into going abroad for the specific purpose of a forced marriage.

 

An offence has been committed under this Act whether or not the marriage actually takes place, and will be committed where violence, threats or coercion are used to force someone to enter a marriage they do not consent to.

 

Where the victim lacks capacity to consent (as defined under the Mental Capacity Act 2005) the offence can be committed by any conduct, even if it does not amount to using violence, threats or coercion.

 

The offence can also be charged alongside other offences that have been committed, such as harassment, fraud, false imprisonment, common assault, etc.

 

Prosecutions will be dealt with by specialist honour based and forced marriage prosecutors and serious cases may be individually assigned to specialist lawyers within the prosecution service.

 

Civil remedies remain available for victims separately as set out in the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007.

 

While it is difficult to ascertain how many forced marriages are entered into within the UK, the Forced Marriages Unit provided an estimate of 1,485 forced marriages in the UK in 2012. In reality, the figure will be much higher as it is a hidden crime. For example, over 300 requests for help related to forced marriages are received each year in Luton alone.

 

Forcing someone to enter into a marriage is an offence that can be dealt with in the magistrates or crown court and can result in a maximum sentence of 7 years’ imprisonment.

 

If you are being accused of forcing someone to enter into a marriage, call us now for expert advice on 01623 397200.

Royal Mail Worker Stole £50,000 in Theft From Employer Case

Posted on: January 13th, 2015 by steve

Royal Mail worker stole £50,000 in overtime scam

 

Royal Mail Worker Stole £50,000 in Fake Overtime Scam

 

A Royal Mail worker who stole over £50,000 from his employers over a 5 year period in an overtime scam has been given a suspended prison sentence.

 

Kevin Dunn admitted taking the money to help ease financial pressures his family were experiencing due to mounting debt issues.

 

Mr Dunn was described as being deeply ashamed and remorseful and agreed to sign over his pension to repay the sum.

 

He is a man of previous good character who obtained leniency from the court, despite the seriousness of dishonesty offences such as theft from employer.

 

A suspended prison sentence is an option available to the court when a prison sentence is clearly advisable, but where the court wish to offer the defendant leniency. A prison sentence term is decided, in this case one of 18 months, but the sentence is suspended. This means that the defendant is not taken into custody, and will not have to serve the custodial sentence, unless they commit further offences during the period of the suspended sentence.

 

Are you being investigated for or charged with fraud or theft from employer offences? Call us now for a free initial consultation: 01623 397200.