https://briggs.id.au/jour/2017/04/day-small-things-analysis-fresh-expressions-church/
https://briggs.id.au/jour/category/book-review/
Will Briggs
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/vexatious-allegation-jo-morris?articleId=6223886968489537536
The Vexatious Allegation
False reports to the police are rare. Most complaints are truthful and accurate and amount to a proper grievance. However, there are some that are either false or wild exaggerations of the truth. There are yet more that may well be true but amount only to such a trivial complaint that a reasonable person would not think it worthy of the attention of the authorities. The subject of such reporting has hitherto had limited redress in law. Unless the Crown were wiling to prosecute the accuser the chances of retribution were small. The case of Waxman has brought to notice an area of civil redress.
There is a public interest in the prosecution of all crime. We must encourage genuine reporting and be slow to prosecute a person who has made even a misconceived complaint. It may contrary to public interest to act against an accuser who made a report in good faith. Public interest must, however, be balanced against an individual’s right to be protected from repeated arrests and other instances of state intervention in his life. Also, the scarce resources of the criminal justice system must be used more wisely than pursuing the allegations of an unreasonable person.
There are offences in making a false allegation. It is always open to the Crown to prosecute for perverting the course of justice. That does involve a very high evidential test. Proving that an allegation is false is a different exercise to showing that it was disbelieved. In addition, prosecutions for perverting the course of justice may deter reporting from genuine victims or prevent a person who has lied admitting they have done so. A fixed penalty fine for wasting police time may be a more acceptable option. It offers both a lower threshold for the Crown to reach and a reduced penalty for the false witness. The threat of a fine for wasting police time is less likely to deter a person from admitting the truth than a potential custodial sentence for perverting the course of justice. However, these actions are police lead. The victim of a campaign of vexatious allegations could bring a private prosecution for offences against public justice but he must meet the evidential standard and bear the risk of adverse costs. A private prosecution for wasting police time would require the consent of the DPP which may be refused for the public interest reasons already rehearsed.
Many of these allegations are not false but are only petty grievances. A person who falls victim to such allegations should consider suing in the civil courts for harassment. The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 sets down that conduct is harassment if 'a reasonable person in possession of the same information would think the course of conduct amounted to harassment of the other'. A reasonable person would surely think that making repeated trivial allegations about another amounted to harassment. Contact can be either direct or indirect. Reports to the police or the local council lead to investigations. However sensitively they are performed such contact is unwelcome to most people. If these reports are vexatious that amounts to indirect contact. This action is not limited to reports to the police or the local authority. Complaints to an employer or a private organisation, such as a sports club, could be included.
The case of Waxman may be used to support a claim at the civil courts. This case involved long standing harassment of Ms. Waxman by Mr. Fogel. Mr. Fogel was the subject of a restraining order. He brought civil proceedings against Ms. Waxman. CPS did not prosecute on the basis that the order did not prohibit bringing civil proceedings. Ms. Waxman brought a case against CPS seeking damages. The Court decided that the commencement and service of civil proceedings was a form of conduct that might well cause anxiety, alarm and distress and so were capable of amounting to harassment. Mr. Fogel was using the Courts to harass Ms. Waxman. There are those who use the police and the councils in a similar way.
A civil action should be preferred to a complaint to the police. Although costs are a consideration at the civil courts the standard of proof is lower. Both compensation and an injunction order can be sought. It is unrealistic to seek an injunction order which prevents a person ever raising complaint to the authorities. Even an incredible witness may be a genuine victim in the future. One possible compromise is an order that prevents the harasser from calling the authorities save for a genuine emergency. That may not address the situation fully since, in many cases, the problem lies in the fact that the person concerned lacks the judgement to see the difference between a genuine emergency and mild annoyance. However, the mere ruling would be useful. It would undermine the credibility of the accuser permanently. A copy could be sent to the local constabulary or the council with a request that this be considered before further investigations are commenced. If that were disregarded a complaint to the IPCC may be justified.
This would not be appropriate in every case. A large number of reports from one source may evidence a genuine concern and such reporting must be encouraged. Nevertheless there are instances where extensive reporting has a more sinister motivation and we must offer some protection to its victim. It is a fundamental right of every citizen of the UK to complain to the police or other authority but it not an absolute right. The right to make reports is capable of restriction in circumstances where it is necessary to protect a legitimate objective.
Jo Morris
Church Court Chambers
www.churchcourtchambers.co.uk
The Vexatious Allegation
Jo Morris
Rev Canon Sophie Jelley
Lindsay Pantry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pQEvPK_Wo0
Sophie is currently the Director of Mission, Discipleship and Ministry in the Diocese of Durham, and Canon Missioner at Durham Cathedral
https://www.stpeterscollege.org.uk/news/news-new-bishop-of-doncaster-announced
https://www.persecution.com/globalprayerguide/uganda/?_source_code=WHPB20C
OUR MISSION is to ... Communicate in words and action, the truth, message and hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ to colleagues and the community we serve. OUR VISION is to see Colleagues and those we serve to know Jesus Christ personally.
https://www.onebodyonefaith.org.uk/about-us/meet-the-team/lu-skerratt/
Lu Skerratt-Love is a queer Anglican living in Sheffield. They grew up in North Essex where their introduction to Christianity was varied but allowed them to explore and encounter all sorts of worship styles and expressions of church.
Lu first read Theology at the University of Leeds before doing a MA in Biblical Studies at Kings College London. After a period working in the refugee and mental health sector, Lu is now a qualitative researcher with Church Army's Research Unit where they research all sorts of exciting and dynamic projects relating to evangelism, mission and ministry in the UK and Ireland. They are also studying for a DthM at Durham University (St John's College) where their research topic is: ' Decolonising Space and Place: Identities of belonging in the Church of England' .
Lu worships at St Mark's Broomhill and Broomhall in Sheffield and has particular interests in the intersections of faith and ecofeminism, anti-racism, queer identities of living as 'betwixt and between' and contemporary expressions of liberation theology. Lu is in a civil partnership and in their spare time enjoys spending time with their Pink Palace chosen family, reading, playing squash, bouldering, and board games!
The summer of 2021 at the Marsh Lane allotments in Crosspool have been a ‘nightmare’ for the local allotment holders as they have suffered a sustained series of break-ins and vandalism.
Lloyd Bent
https://www.gmp.police.uk/news/greater-manchester/news/news/2021/september/thoughts-and-prayer-for-national-police-memorial-day/
This Sunday marks National Police Memorial Day - a day when officers are
encouraged to reflect upon colleagues who have lost their lives in the line
of duty.
In this article, Lead Chaplain for GMP (Greater Manchester Police), Reverend
Charles Nevin, takes a moment to reflect and offer a prayer ahead of the
event.
Each time I visit Sedgley Park I like to spend a few moments sitting in the
Memorial Garden. It is an oasis of peace and tranquility away from the
busyness of life. A place to hold in prayer those whose names are recorded
in this space. To be reminded of their sacrifice, their devotion to duty and
their bravery. Ordinary women and men faithfully protecting others, but who
in so doing paid the ultimate price. We remember them for:
• their courage and devotion to duty.
• their example of sacrifice.
• their bravery and fortitude.
• the memories we treasure and the love we shared.
On a wider canvas every September we hold a national event to acknowledge
all police officers who have died, often violently, as they willingly
fulfilled their duties of the ‘office of constable’. We acknowledge their
sacrifice and grieve for their loss. Each life precious and deeply missed.
The 'work' of Christian Police Chaplains is
very different from the work of police officers of all ranks, which is
sometimes dangerous, often demanding, often unpleasant, often rewarding,
very varied.
Christian Police Chaplains would probably regard
their work as very rewarding all the time and central to the work of the
police but tmost members of the public would disagree. Even many Christians
wouldn't regard the work of Christian Police Chaplains as central, very
important. The majority of members of the public would think that Police
Chaplains make a negligible contribution. More likely, they never give
any thought to these Chaplains. That's how unimportant they are, to these
people.
In the Second World War, the overwhelmingly
important contribution of the Armed Forces is recognized - the contribution
soldiers of the British Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force - but
the contribution of the Armed Forces Chaplains is regarded as completely
unimportant, except to the Chaplains themselves. Even committed Christians
are likely to share the appreciation for the troops who actually did the
fighting.
From the very impressive book 'Lancaster Target' by Jack Currie:
'Much of the airman's ethos, if not exactly
superstitious, was of necessity based on faith, and sometimes that faith was
unsupported, as when it was placed in wishful intelligence assessments, in
unreliable or outdated weapons, and in invisible commanders. But sometimes
it had a firmer basis: the skill of the ground crews, the care of the
controllers, the courage of the air-sea rescue men and, far from least, the
strength of the aircraft's components and systems.
'Certainly the Rolls-Royce engines rarely
gave us reason for concern: they churned on hour after hour, apparently
immune to the effects of rain, snow, hail or sleet.
And this:
' ... we didn't bother the MO [Medical
Officer] much. We troubled the Padre even less. He was a cheerful,
bespectacled man, with whom we might have had a closer contact under normal
circumstances, but he wore a squadron leader's uniform, which seemed an
irrelevance to me and gave him an exclusive status which I didn't think he'd
want ...
' ... As far as I knew, the padre had in his
command one airman clerk ... '
Religious Education teachers have very low ranking in most schools, apart from faith schools, and even faith schools have priorities other than religious belief, such as academic results. The Chaplains of schools which have Chaplains are probably of peripheral importance in general.
The Websites of Churches and
Church organizations are vastly different: Christian belief as central to
society, their work transforming communities, transforming the life of the
nation, prayer regarded
as a vital activity.
https://www.policechaplaincy.uk/members
Pastor Lloyd Denny was presented with a Community Champion Award by
T/Superintendent Mo Aziz,
Restoration Church of God Luton Bedfordshire
Regions
North-East
Cleveland Police
Currently vacant
Durham Constabulary
Lead Chaplain: Revd Adrian Gatrill
adrian.gatrill@durham.pnn.police.uk
Humberside Police
Currently vacant
Northumbria Police
Lead Chaplain: Revd Steve Edge
st_tims@yahoo.co.uk
South Yorkshire Police
Lead Chaplain: Vacant
West Yorkshire Police
Lead Chaplain: Mr Dudley Martin
dudley.martin58@gmail.com
North-West
Cheshire Constabulary
Lead Chaplain: Revd Tony Hunt
anthony_hunt2@sky.com
Cumbria Constabulary
Lead Chaplain: Revd Ian Grainger
ian.grainger66@btinternet.com
Greater Manchester Police
Lead Chaplain: Revd Charles Nevin
charlesnevin@ntlworld.com
Lancashire Constabulary
Lead Chaplain: Revd Steve Cowles
stevedebcowles@hotmail.com
Merseyside Police
Lead Chaplain: Rev Claire Henderson-Davis
claire.henderson-davis@merseyside.pnn.police.uk
East Midlands
Derbyshire Constabulary
Lead Chaplain: Ami Lindo
ami-adessa.lindo.alindo@derbyshire.pnn.police.uk
Leicestershire Constabulary
Lead Chaplain: Ted Hutchin
ted.hutchin@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk
Lincolnshire Police
Deputy Lead Chaplain: Tanya Lord
tanya.lord@lincs.pnn.police.uk
Northamptonshire Police
Lead Chaplain: Revd Canon Stephen Trott
revstephentrott@gmail.com
Nottinghamshire Police
Lead Chaplain: Currently Vacant
West Midlands
Staffordshire Police
Lead Chaplain: Revd Stephen Parker
revsteve.parker@gmail.com
Warwickshire Police
Lead Chaplain: Matthew Hopley
matthew.hopley@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk
West Mercia Police
Lead Chaplain: Revd Dick Johnson
dick.johnson@westmercia.pnn.police.uk
West Midlands Police
Lead Chaplain: Revd John Butcher
Eastern
j.butcher@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk
Bedfordshire Police
Contact: PS Ashton Miranda
ashton.miranda@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk
Cambridgeshire Constabulary
Lead chaplain: Revd Dr Lynda Taylor
lynda.taylor@cambs.pnn.police.uk
Essex Police
Chaplaincy coordinators: Jeff Appleby & Elaine Wakeling
jeff.appleby@essex.police.uk
Hertfordshire Constabulary
Lead Chaplain: Mr Louis Spring
louisspring@icloud.com
Norfolk Constabulary
Lead Chaplain: Revd Richard Whall
richard@whall.net
Suffolk Constabulary
Lead Chaplain: Revd Jeanette Gosney
jeanette.gosney@cofesuffolk.org
South-East
Hampshire Constabulary
Lead Chaplain: Revd Dominic Jones
chaplain@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
Kent Police
Lead Chaplain: Revd Barry Knott
rev.barry@icloud.com
Surrey Police
Lead Chaplain: Frances Novillo
Frances.Novillo@surrey.pnn.police.uk
Thames Valley Police
Lead Chaplain: Revd Helen Arnold
Helen.Arnold2@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
South-West
Avon and Somerset Constabulary
Lead Chaplain: Revd Andy Paget
andy.paget@ymail.com
Devon and Cornwall Constabulary
Co-Lead Chaplain: Sarah Jeffrey
sarah.jeffrey@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
Dorset Police
Lead Chaplain: Revd Simon Evans
simon@evansonline.info
Gloucestershire Constabulary
Chaplaincy Coordinator: Alistair Hammett
alistair.hammett@gloucestershire.pnn.police.uk
Wiltshire Constabulary
Interim Lead Chaplain: Rev David Fiddy
david.fiddy@wiltshire.police.uk
London
City of London Police
Contact Chaplain: Mr Tony Thomas
tony.thomas12@gmail.com
Metropolitan Police Service
Lead Chaplain: Revd Jonathan Osborne
jonathan.osborne2@met.police.uk
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Wed, 8 Sept 2021, 10:30
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I write in connection with this post on
the St Marks Website:
'SHEFFIELD FOREST CHURCH – SATURDAY 11 SEPTEMBER AT 2.30PM
After a summer break, we’re back! Join us
for Forest Church on the theme of Creation at the Garden Church in Walkley (Walkley
Community Garden, Morley Street S6 2PL) for time to be and worship in
God’s creation. Bring a drink and a snack for after the service! Our
services are intentionally all age and LGBTQ+ affirming, so whatever stage
of life or journey you’re on – you’re so very welcome! For more information,
you can find us on facebook or email sheffield.forest.church@
My Website www.linkagenet.com has
a very extensive page on Christian religion www.linkagenet.com/themes/
My site has very high Google rankings for a wide range of search terms. Some recent examples:
ethical depth 2 / 212,000,000
religion redemption remembrance 5 / 4, 480,000
aphorisms religion ideology 4 / 1,690,000
gardening composting water collecting 1 / 37,000,000
I have two allotments on the Morley
Street site in Sheffield. I was dismayed to find that the Forest Church is
planning to hold this event at Morley Street this Saturday.
The plan is disastrously misguided, surely. These are some objections:
The place where it is planned to hold the
event is rented land. These are Sheffield Council allotments and as such,
are subject to allotment law. The allotments are rented by Lower
Walkley Community Group (LWCG). The group's decision to give permission for
the Forest Church to hold the event was very misguided but I have evidence
to show that throughout, the use of the land by LWCG has been incompetent.
Lu Skerrat-Love is seemingly unaware of
the legislation applicable to allotments which is intended to protect the
safety of the public and the issue of legal liability. Allotments do have
hazards, and in the event of injury to a member of the public attending the
event at the 'Forest Garden,' there could easily be severe legal
consequences.