tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post5188809747180491741..comments2023-07-10T10:57:18.522+01:00Comments on The Magistrates' Blog: Squat ThrustBystander http://www.blogger.com/profile/10211688955428527960noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-67485885294677867562012-09-18T17:41:12.507+01:002012-09-18T17:41:12.507+01:00This sought of thing has always received a blue li...This sought of thing has always received a blue light response in the met. As one of your commentators already pointed out it comes over the radio in the same manner as a burglary in progress. In cop parlance "suspects on" short for suspects on premises. It is every cop's dream to catch a burglar in the act! <br /><br />In my area it has become increasingly common to find, invariably Eastern European, men encamped in a vacant property. Almost always they have diverted the electricity, water etc and done damage to doors, windows, fixtures and fittings. It is not uncommon that they'll have set fires inside the place. <br /><br />Don't get me wrong they were always arrested for some combination of burglary, criminal damage, abstracting electricity and more than once assault police. With the exception of the assault police I've never seen any of them charged as we've never been able to prove which of the half dozen or so people did the various acts. <br /><br />Now at least they'll be charged with squatting. StillAnonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-47078454481132952902012-09-08T00:10:00.495+01:002012-09-08T00:10:00.495+01:00Have you no seen the fillums, man?
Fix notice to ...Have you no seen the fillums, man?<br /><br />Fix notice to arrow, fire arrow over fence. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-54517445865777612062012-09-06T00:34:46.312+01:002012-09-06T00:34:46.312+01:00I didn't realise that one had to be perfect at...I didn't realise that one had to be perfect at spelling to be a magistrate, which I'm probably not. I thought they came from all walks of life and could include those with bad handwriting and the inability to spell "defernutly". If that were the case then I wouldn't have applied, which I didn't, obviously.Definately not a Magistrate, oh nonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-23218817056119690422012-09-05T09:06:56.745+01:002012-09-05T09:06:56.745+01:00As a matter of civil law, certain duties are owed ...As a matter of civil law, certain duties are owed even in relation to trespassers. Best not to go there !!ObiterJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04544226917595022902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-37246790340736125212012-09-05T09:05:07.488+01:002012-09-05T09:05:07.488+01:00I don't think that there will be many prosecut...I don't think that there will be many prosecutions for this new offence which has actually made the law in this area rather complex and so i would imagine that any cases brought will be handed to the DJ(MC).<br /><br />The Home Office Guidance for the new offence requires the Police to enter into a protocol with the local authority. These protocols will normally require the Police to consult with local authority officials before taking action against squatters. Thus, the Police will have every reason to continue to be inactive in this area.ObiterJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04544226917595022902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-86998473766727819972012-09-05T00:26:29.764+01:002012-09-05T00:26:29.764+01:00"Definately not a Magistrate, oh no", bu..."Definately not a Magistrate, oh no", but certainly spells like one!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-23142162872715973922012-09-04T21:07:57.746+01:002012-09-04T21:07:57.746+01:00??Doug's Dad.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-84022316377225769682012-09-04T20:00:18.686+01:002012-09-04T20:00:18.686+01:00Completely different subject:
Will we now get the...Completely different subject:<br /><br />Will we now get the long promised transparency on sentencing. Hope so but probably not. Even the media conspire to distort the truth eg. "Sports car raiders jailed for 20 years" and then you see that there were ten of them, whose sentences totalled 20 years and of course that's before all the reductions and early release programmes. If I were on the bench I might feel very uncomfortable announcing fictitious sentences and then explaining the fiction.Baldricknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-87625396162020837292012-09-04T17:16:22.938+01:002012-09-04T17:16:22.938+01:00Looks like Brighton are getting them already :
htt...Looks like Brighton are getting them already :<br />http://www.sussex.police.uk/news-and-events/news/2012/09/04/three-men-will-appear-at-court-charged-with-squatting/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitterDefinately not a Magistrate, oh no.http://anythingbut.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-89643078945582970932012-09-04T16:19:03.558+01:002012-09-04T16:19:03.558+01:00"The site was completely surrounded by 10’ hi...<b>"The site was completely surrounded by 10’ high fence and secured with padlocks. There was only one way in and out. We attached the relevant notices to the fence at that point. There was no letterbox."</b><br /><br />Clearly, this calls for the "Robin Hood" solution.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-4815108724896165492012-09-04T16:18:07.761+01:002012-09-04T16:18:07.761+01:00Well, that depends. If someone's squatting in ...Well, that depends. If someone's squatting in a house that you let out, then there's no trauma. If it's your home, with all your possessions in it, it's probably worse than burglary, as the violation is ongoing rather than a single event.<br /><br />If it's a house that you used to live in, and now let out to carefully vetted tenants, or it's empty because you're renovating it, then the kind of squatters who trash the place could be traumatic. The kind that simply live there, and leave the place as they found it when they leave, not so much. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-20025737430418069982012-09-04T02:50:28.099+01:002012-09-04T02:50:28.099+01:00Don't know about jolly old England, but had a ...Don't know about jolly old England, but had a case of this in my neighborhood. Neighbors went off on vacation, came home to a local homeless person occupying their large front porch, complete with small fire in one corner, and using another corner for a privy. The cops had no problem arresting her for trespass and criminal damage to property (the fire and privy)Texan Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-7748011664984461332012-09-03T22:22:13.160+01:002012-09-03T22:22:13.160+01:00The "useful purpose" predates the land r...The "useful purpose" predates the land registration act. Ate hen land was not registered, it could be difficult to prove ownership. In those circumstances, ownership (ie the squatter's occupation of the land) resolved the issue.Lawyer Xnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-78135899884391849782012-09-03T22:05:07.247+01:002012-09-03T22:05:07.247+01:00A well-argued response. I can but agree. Anyone fa...A well-argued response. I can but agree. Anyone faced with this prospect is given plenty of warning, and often it comes down to whether or not they believe the court will follow through. The anguish and hardship caused to families by non-payment of court ordered maintenance (which takes full account of ability to pay) can be immense, and the costs are borne by us all. Man on the Village Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420025319687905046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-14399441498138627512012-09-03T21:04:18.575+01:002012-09-03T21:04:18.575+01:00Your theoretical discussion is all well and good b...Your theoretical discussion is all well and good but a stumbling block that has been touched on previously, but remains extremely relevant is the ability of local authority solicitors to construct a rapid or vigorous case, correctly worded or correctly addressed and containing all the relevant documents.<br /><br />We serve process for a very large local authority in the North of England (with a justifiably very poor reputation) and have done for many years. We never cease to be amazed by the ineptitude of the majority of their staff, particularly on the criminal and civil side, rather than the child care staff.<br /><br />On probably 50% of the documents we serve there will one or more errors, copy documents missing, names spelt incorrectly, or completely false, court dates wrong and addresses and/or postcodes wrong. And this isn’t just by locum or temporary staff on working holidays from South Africa or Australia – these are staff that have been at the same authority for donkey’s years.<br /><br />As an example a few weeks ago we were instructed by one of their ‘Principle Solicitors’ to serve squatters encamped on council land. The site was completely surrounded by 10’ high fence and secured with padlocks. There was only one way in and out. We attached the relevant notices to the fence at that point. There was no letterbox.<br /><br />The instructing solicitor was worried that we had not complied with CPR because the council may have had keys to the gate as it was council property, and they should have explored that avenue to enable the notices to be staked within the land.<br /><br />FOR F***S SAKE. WAKE UP. Do you want to get these people evicted or not. What is the chance of the padlock being the same one the council put on the gate. What judge is not going to accept that that service was good?<br /><br />We despair, and I’m sure some of you JP’s do likewise, but whilst local authorities can only afford to pay public sector wages they will only ever, on the whole, end up with staff that are not as motivated or efficient as those in the private sector.<br />Doug's Dadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-44169971633999614202012-09-03T19:38:06.360+01:002012-09-03T19:38:06.360+01:00Gawd.Gawd.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-67175689979145968512012-09-03T15:30:12.510+01:002012-09-03T15:30:12.510+01:00First, it is not an abuse of the process if permit...First, it is not an abuse of the process if permitted by law. If you don't like the law, talk to your MP. <br /><br />Second, sadly it is a fact that not all parents are willing to financially support their children and will do everything in their power to avoid doing so. Having children is a responsibility and with responsibility comes consequences. <br /><br />Third, ownership of a vehicle is not some sort of human right. Not all jobs require a vehicle in order to be able to do that job. So I fail to see how depriving a person of a vehicle can amount to 'sacking.' We permit forfeiture of cars by law for many offences. Why is this any different as long as appropriate checks and balances are in place. SouthLondonJPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-75940553569943459892012-09-03T12:21:10.820+01:002012-09-03T12:21:10.820+01:00Interesting and rather fascist?
Depriving someon...Interesting and rather fascist? <br /><br />Depriving someone of the use of their vehicle is tantamount to sacking them. <br /><br />Thanks for letting the public know! Family confidentiality is a cover for abuse of process!<br />Fungus the Photo!https://www.blogger.com/profile/14879977479841544025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-82868749843001735872012-09-03T12:19:40.225+01:002012-09-03T12:19:40.225+01:00A useful purpose ?
1. Property owners owe no ...A useful purpose ? <br /><br />1. Property owners owe no duty of care to squatters.<br />2. What makes you think you have any right to "force" anyone to put a piece of property on the market by method of illegal occupation ? Tony Frostnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-90067524995857160972012-09-03T12:19:05.992+01:002012-09-03T12:19:05.992+01:00Not a thought out comment!
I suspect only 1 in 1...Not a thought out comment! <br /><br />I suspect only 1 in 100 will agree?Fungus the Photo!https://www.blogger.com/profile/14879977479841544025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-27617972954469812902012-09-03T12:16:16.572+01:002012-09-03T12:16:16.572+01:00That is coursing......... or else .... teaching th...That is coursing......... or else .... teaching the peasants a lesson, pass me the post, I'm thirsty ....Fungus the Photo!https://www.blogger.com/profile/14879977479841544025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-28779176756495738192012-09-03T12:15:09.760+01:002012-09-03T12:15:09.760+01:00Cynic Alert!
You are totally correct. Many votes...Cynic Alert! <br /><br />You are totally correct. Many votes won and even some publicity for the homeless. Everybody wins!Fungus the Photo!https://www.blogger.com/profile/14879977479841544025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-91789460481987759802012-09-03T09:49:35.280+01:002012-09-03T09:49:35.280+01:00Useful in the family court sometimes when faced wi...Useful in the family court sometimes when faced with persistent refusal to pay maintenance. Even the threat would be enough to get some to cough up. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-57004817841510269722012-09-03T01:09:23.755+01:002012-09-03T01:09:23.755+01:00People I've known who have been burgled say th...People I've known who have been burgled say that just knowing someone has been in your house going through your things is very distressing. I imagine having squatters in your house would be even more traumatic. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-72832248392698613662012-09-02T17:35:28.595+01:002012-09-02T17:35:28.595+01:00As has already been stated, the displacement of ho...As has already been stated, the displacement of homeowners, tenants or other protected occupiers by squatters was already a criminal offence under the 1977 act. Moreover, such individuals were entitled to use reasonable force to evict squatters without a court order in such circumstances (in theory anway.)<br /><br />Parts of this article are still relevant, although the bit about travellers no longer seems to apply.<br /><br />http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2011/jul/13/criminalise-squatting-targets-gypsiesJono793http://www.twitter.com/jono793noreply@blogger.com