Reported Case: M (A Child : Failure to Comply with Achieving Best Evidence)

Please take note of the above case report – M (A Child : Failure to Comply with Achieving Best Evidence) [2014] EWFC B141 (27 October 2014)

The Judgment was handed down by His Honour Judge Bellamy and deals with, in particular, failure to comply with ABE Guidance by the Police to such an extent that no evidential value could be placed on the interviews. The court was seeking to identify the perpetrator of injuries that were accepted to have been non-accidental.

His Honour expressed his deep concern that such large scale non-compliance still exists. This judgment is the third such occasion that the criticisms have been made by His Honour and similar criticisms were made in an unreported judgment, disclosed to the Chief Constable, in 2011.

The Chief Constable is to confirm to His Honour steps to ensure proper Police training within 28 days.