CPS News Centre

Criminal cases prosecuted by the CPS are in the news every day, along with a range of issues relating to our work – from violence against women and girls and hate crime, to support for victims and witnesses, statistics and speeches.

To ensure greater openness in the reporting of criminal proceedings, the CPS, the police and media representatives developed a joint protocol for working together.

Here you can find our latest news stories and search for others. You can also find additional details about a number of high-profile cases and the work of the CPS.

Sign up for a regular newsletter from your local CPS Area

Media enquiries

National, international and specialist media should contact the main 24-hour press office.

Local media should contact their Area Communications Manager during normal working hours.

UPDATE: Private school pupil given life sentence for hammer attack

A private school pupil who left two of his housemates with life-changing injuries after a violent hammer attack has been given a life sentence for their attempted murder.

18 October 2024 | Press Release , Violent crime , CPS, South West News

Former Olympian guilty of raping teenage girls

A former Olympic swimmer and trainee police officer, who represented Great Britain at the 2012 London Games, has been convicted of raping two teenage girls.

17 October 2024 | Press Release , Sexual offences , CPS, South West News

Vandal who targeted TK Maxx during Plymouth unrest jailed

A vandal who caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to a high street store has been jailed just four days after violent disorder broke out in Plymouth City Centre.

09 August 2024 | Press Release , South West News

Thugs charged, convicted and jailed within 72 hours

The first sentences have been handed down in the South West for offenders involved in the violent disorder and looting in Plymouth City Centre on Monday.

08 August 2024 | Press Release , Violent crime , CPS, South West News

Murder of Lorna England, man found guilty

A man from Exmouth has been convicted of the murder of Lorna England, who was stabbed to death as she walked home through Ludwell Valley Park in Exeter.

09 July 2024 | Press Release , Violent crime , CPS, South West News

So-called football fan jailed after shouting racist abuse at footballer

A so-called football fan who committed a hate crime after directing racist abuse at a football player has been jailed for nine months.

08 February 2024 | Press Release , Hate crime , South West News

Protesters convicted of criminal damage and burglary after Elbit Systems UK break-in

A group of protesters have been found guilty of breaking into the head office of an international defence technology firm and causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

06 February 2024 | Press Release , South West News

Boy, 14, charged with murder following deaths of Max Dixon and Mason Rist

Victoria Cook, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS South West, said: “CPS South West’s Complex Casework Unit has today authorised two murder charges against a 14-year-old boy following the deaths of 16-year-old Max Dixon and 15-year-old Mason Rist.

05 February 2024 | Press Release , Violent crime , CPS, South West News

Further murder charges authorised by CPS following deaths of Bristol teenagers

Victoria Cook, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS South West, said: “Prosecutors from CPS South West’s Complex Casework Unit have authorised two murder charges against a 17-year-old boy following the deaths of 16-year-old Max Dixon and 15-year-old Mason Rist.

04 February 2024 | Press Release , Violent crime , South West News

Three members of organised crime group sentenced for human trafficking and rape

An organised crime group who trafficked women from Eastern Europe to exploit as sex workers across the South West and beyond have been sentenced following a prosecution by the South West Complex Casework Unit.

02 February 2024 | Press Release , Sexual offences , South West News

Search CPS News

In-depth - a deeper look at high-profile cases and the work of the CPS

'You can trust me, I'm a police officer' couldn't be further from the truth
How 13 women's testimonies secured the fate of serial rapist David Carrick
How a criminal case works
From reporting to appeals - how a criminal case works, end-to-end.
How we make our decisions
How does the CPS make the decision to prosecute - or not?
Our criminal justice partners
We don't just work with the police - here's a look at our many partners within the criminal justice system.
Transforming our service to victims at the CPS
Being a victim of crime can be deeply traumatic, and for those who find themselves in the criminal justice system the process can feel overwhelming, unfamiliar, and incredibly challenging.

Articles and speeches

Read articles and speeches from the CPS on matters of relevance to the Criminal Justice System

Articles and Speeches

CPS Says

The CPS position on major issues in the news, our response to inaccuracies in media reports and our letters to the media.

CPS Says...

Contacts: National media

Please note that our Press Office is not able to deal with issues or queries from members of the public - these contact details are for accredited journalists ONLY. Do not call this number unless you a member of the press. For all general enquiries, please call the General Enquiries line: 020 3357 0899 or 020 3357 0000 (09:00-17:00, Monday-Friday) or visit contact.cps.gov.uk.

If you are a national or international journalist with a media enquiry, you can contact the CPS Press Office on 020 3357 0906 or email cps.pressoffice@cps.gov.uk (9am-5pm weekdays only).

For out-of-hours media enquiries please call 020 3357 0906 to reach the duty press officer.

Contacts: Local media

Cymru/Wales
Richard Paull
Email: richard.paull@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 02920 803950

East Midlands
Graham Buchanan
Email: Graham.Buchanan@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 0115 852 3343

East of England
Gillian Andrews
Email: gillian.andrews@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 01245 455027

London (North and South)
Wendy Wyeth or Molly Barker
Email: london.communications@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 02380 673873

Mersey-Cheshire
Jackie Rand
Email: jackie.rand@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 0151 239 6334

North East
Chris Black
Email: chris.black@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 0191 260 4216

North West
Kerry Bell
Email: kerry.bell@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 0161 827 4705

South East
Cheryl Pendry
Email: cheryl.pendry@cps.gov.uk
Telephones: 01227 655862 / 07876 390054

South West
Gary Cockram
Email: gary.cockram@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 0117 930 2968

Thames and Chiltern
Angie Patton
Email: Angie.Patton@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 01189 513625

Wessex
Wessex Communications
Email: wessex.communications@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 02380 673873

West Midlands
Kofo Baptist
Email: kofo.baptist@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 0203 357 0625

Yorkshire and Humberside
Elizabeth Ogborn
Email: elizabeth.ogborn@cps.gov.uk
Telephones: 0113 290 2839 / 07500 835186

Our social media policy

If you follow us on social media, you can expect posts covering some or all of the following:

Operational updates on decisions to prosecute or take no further action;
Reactions and statements on trial outcomes;
Policy updates from the Director of Public Prosecutions and other prosecutors;
Updates on media appearances by CPS staff
Content that explains the role of the CPS and how we work
Highlighting of relevant work by our criminal justice partners and other stakeholders

We will aim to be fair and accurate in all the information we publish. We will aim to correct any inaccuracies as soon as possible.

We are unable to monitor social media round the clock. We are not able to engage with all those who seek a response from us due to resources but also due to privacy and the sensitive nature of some of our work. The best way to contact the CPS is through our website.

Please do not try to report crime using social media. To report crime, please call 101 or visit your local police station. In an emergency, always call 999.

If you follow us on social media we will not automatically follow you back. Being followed by us does not imply endorsement of any kind.

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