SEXUAL OFFENDING UPDATE SEMINAR – 10TH JULY 2025 – PRESTON

Aimed at Criminal Defence Solicitors, this session will provide a practical and strategic

overview of the key stages from the Police Station through to Trial and Appeal.

Allegations involving sexual offending are almost inevitably sensitive and involve issues

that are absent from other criminal allegations; and can be the most legally and

evidentially complex and difficult cases to prepare for trial.

We will explore the complex and evolving legal landscape of sexual offences, ensuring

practitioners have an overview of issues which may arise and which must be considered

in the Police Station, the Magistrates’ Court and before and during trial; and are up to

date in relation to forthcoming and proposed developments particularly in relation to

sentencing and release, and recent key decisions of the Court of Appeal.

Richard English KC will consider recent cases dealing with topics of interest to those

advising and representing defendants before and after charge including:

Practical considerations in police station advice for sexual offences
Handling pre-charge engagement and digital evidence disclosure
The charging decision: guidance and prosecutorial policy
Sentencing trends and proposed reforms
The Court of Appeal’s current approach to conviction and sentence appeals in sexual offences
Common evidential and procedural pitfalls before and during trial
The appointment of intermediaries
Defence statements
Credibility, cross-examination and special measures
Third party material, bad character and previous sexual history under s.41
The impact of recent legislative changes and case law
Release provisions and extended sentence regimes