Thursday 14 July 2016

How do you balance the need to protect the reputation of those falsely accused of sexual offences against the need to ensure such crimes are uncovered? By Robin Murray

Anyone who believes that there is a straightforward answer to this question simply does not understand the question. Many Lawyers are conflicted on this. Recently acquitted of a further allegation the perhaps now ironically styled former ‘publicist’ Max Clifford said in court “I was found guilty [in 2014] ... I know I’m innocent. Hopefully one day I will be able to prove that. One of the things I’ve learned [from the last trial] is you’re guilty until proven innocent when sexual offences are involved.” The fact of his acquittal would tend to suggest this is an exaggeration as does the high level of acquittals in Rape trials.