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.

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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.

GP convicted after injecting man with flesh-eating toxin during fake covid vaccination

A Sunderland doctor has been convicted of attempting to kill his mother’s partner, after injecting him with a toxin that caused a flesh-eating disease during a faked COVID vaccine appointment.

07 October 2024 | Press Release , Violent crime , North East News

Riot charge authorised for fourth person involved in Sunderland disorder

The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised a charge of riot against Ashley Mark Wilkinson, 35, in relation to the disorder that took place in Sunderland on 2 August this year.

11 September 2024 | Press Release , Violent crime , North East News

Riot charges authorised for third person involved in Sunderland disorder

The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised a charge of riot against Brian Gilby, 29, in relation to the disorder that took place in Sunderland on 2 August this year.

11 September 2024 | Press Release , Violent crime , North East News

Killer of teenager Holly Newton convicted of murder

A 17-year-old boy who stabbed schoolgirl Holly Newton to death outside of a pizza shop has been convicted of her murder.

29 August 2024 | Press Release , Violent crime , North East News

First riot charge authorised for adult involved in disorder

16 August 2024 | Press Release , Violent crime , CPS, North East News

First riot charge authorised following widespread disorder

Gale Gilchrist, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North East, said: “Following a review of further evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service has today laid a charge of riot in relation to a 15-year-old boy, following disorder that took place in Sunderland on August 2.

15 August 2024 | Press Release , Violent crime , CPS, North East News

Violent offenders jailed for Sunderland disorder

Four violent offenders, who each played a role in harmful disorder in Sunderland city centre, have been jailed at Newcastle Crown Court.

09 August 2024 | Press Release , Violent crime , CPS, North East News

First prison sentences for those involved in North East unrest

The first prison sentences have been handed down for those involved in one of the recent incidents of disorder in the North East of England.

08 August 2024 | Press Release , Violent crime , CPS, North East News

Four men given life sentences for fatal Tyneside ammonia attacks

Four men who were involved in a series of ammonia attacks across Tyneside that left one man dead have been sentenced to life imprisonment today at Newcastle Crown Court.

26 July 2024 | Press Release , Violent crime , North East News

Armed mob convicted for fatal attack on Bishop Auckland man

An armed mob from Bishop Auckland who carried out a fatal attack on a man in the garden of his home have been convicted at Teesside Crown Court.

16 July 2024 | Press Release , Violent crime , North East 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 [email protected] (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: [email protected]
Telephone: 02920 803950

East Midlands
Graham Buchanan
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0115 852 3343

East of England
Gillian Andrews
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01245 455027

London (North and South)
Wendy Wyeth or Molly Barker
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 02380 673873

Mersey-Cheshire
Jackie Rand
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0151 239 6334

North East
Chris Black
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0191 260 4216

North West
Kerry Bell
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0161 827 4705

South East
Cheryl Pendry
Email: [email protected]
Telephones: 01227 655862 / 07876 390054

South West
Gary Cockram
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0117 930 2968

Thames and Chiltern
Angie Patton
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01189 513625

Wessex
Wessex Communications
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 02380 673873

West Midlands
Kofo Baptist
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0203 357 0625

Yorkshire and Humberside
Elizabeth Ogborn
Email: [email protected]
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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