Latest findings for CPS coronavirus review

The CPS review of prosecutions completed in June under the Coronavirus Act and Health Protection Regulations found 99 out of 141 were charged correctly.

Prosecutors withdrew all but one of the 42 erroneous charges at the first court appearance. Of the cases reviewed, 137 were charged by the police and four by the CPS.

Six Regulations offences were withdrawn in court - four because Welsh regulations had been used in England or vice versa and two on evidential grounds.

Every prosecution under the Act was discontinued because there was no evidence they applied to potentially infectious people.

Thirty-five cases were withdrawn in court, with Regulation charges imposed for nine offences. One conviction was relisted and set aside.

All but one Act case was charged by police in March or April, with most taking place alongside substantive offences such as theft and assaulting emergency workers.

Gregor McGill, CPS Director of Legal Services, said: “Our prosecutors across the country are providing an invaluable service in ensuring the right people are charged for the right offences.

“Although lockdown measures have eased considerably, there remain more live cases in the system. The CPS will therefore continue this vital work for as long as necessary.”