Is prosecuting historic sex cases a waste of public funds?

[sadie]

I don't know anythng about that, sorry.
Talk is cheap. Politics can be dirty. Benefit of the doubt, and all that.? Look at Cliff Richard? It has gone beyond the ridiculous sometimes.

Ah Cliff Richards.

Now there are some pointers there.  Are they correct?

Elm Guest House in London has him signed in.   To get the low down on that you only have to google Elm Guest House and Cliff Richards

They say that he has fled the Country to some country where he could not be extradited from.  Is it Barbados?

They also say that he was a rent boy himself


Dunno if it is all correct, but some of his mates are a bit iffy

[Miss Taken Identity]

Ah Cliff Richards.

Now there are some pointers there.  Are they correct?

Elm Guest House in London has him signed in.   To get the low down on that you only have to google Elm Guest House and Cliff Richards

They say that he has fled the Country to some country where he could not be extradited from.  Is it Barbados?

They also say that he was a rent boy himself


Dunno if it is all correct, but some of his mates are a bit iffy

"They"?  who would "They" be Sadie? You spend a lot of time defending parents and accusing people of creating myths and here you are...

For the record. Cliff Richard may or may not be a homosexual -he may or may not be a practising homosexual, what that has got to do with anyone  I have no idea!

Homosexuality was a criminal act and punishable by a prison sentence not that long ago! so some men socialised at the Elm Guest house in private for fear of being jailed for loving someone! FFS.... it is also reported that another group also had socials at that address- nothing to do with gay males socials.. So your two and two do not make 4.

Historic abuse should be investigated and those caught should be punished! It is very wrong to associate ALL gay men as sexual predators-paedophiles it is like saying all straight men are paedophiles!

[John]

British police drop Cliff Richard case



By Natasha Donn
20 September 2015



Exactly a month since he was awarded the Golden Key to the City of Albufeira, iconic British singer Sir Cliff Richard has heard that police investigations into historic allegations that he sexually abused young men are foundering.

A report in today’s Sunday Times claims “one of the three investigations into alleged sex abuse by Sir Cliff Richard has been dropped” while the millionaire star is “understood to have provided police with evidence that he was never alone with two men who allege he attacked them in separate incidents in the 1980s”.

As the ST explains, “the inquiry is said to have foundered because detectives have been unable to substantiate the claims”.

“South Yorkshire Police and a spokesman for Richard declined to comment”, the ST adds, “but the prospect of an end to the 13-month inquiry will be a boost to Richard as he prepares for a UK concert tour to mark his 75th birthday”.

The much-loved star, who is estimated to have sold 250 million records during his incredible 60-year career, was described as devastated last year when police raided his Berkshire home on live TV as he was on holiday in his longtime home-from-home in the Algarve.

Sir Cliff had been given no prior warning of the investigation - operating under the umbrella of Operation Yewtree, the inquiry into allegations of historical sex abuse involving showbiz personalities - and the incident led to a public outcry over the way celebrities were being ‘named and shamed’ long before any claims against them had been proven.

Certainly Albufeira’s most internationally famous home-owner, Sir Cliff had been due to receive the Freedom of the City last year, but pulled out of the ceremony due to the sudden press furore saying he thought his presence might have overshadowed the event.

As it was this year, the award giving went ahead calmly with local mayor Carlos Sousa e Silva saying that Sir Cliff’s “strong contribution” to the town had “played a huge role in establishing it as an international destination”.

The Sunday Times story has now been picked up by the rest of British mainstream media, and is being repeated on news websites around the world.

Seven other celebrities - including comedians Freddie Starr, Jim Davidson and Jimmy Tarbuck, DJ Mike Osman and broadcaster Paul Gambuccini were also accused of offences under Operation Yewtree only to see themselves subsequently exonerated.

A friend talking to the Sunday Times has suggested Sir Cliff’s upcoming tour - due to begin in Birmingham on September 29 and end with five nights at the Royal Albert Hall from October 12 - was a sign that Richard believed he too “would soon be cleared”.

http://portugalresident.com/british-police-drop-cliff-richard-case#sthash.NhrkJKE8.dpuf

[Mr Gray]

British police drop Cliff Richard case



By Natasha Donn
20 September 2015



Exactly a month since he was awarded the Golden Key to the City of Albufeira, iconic British singer Sir Cliff Richard has heard that police investigations into historic allegations that he sexually abused young men are foundering.

A report in today’s Sunday Times claims “one of the three investigations into alleged sex abuse by Sir Cliff Richard has been dropped” while the millionaire star is “understood to have provided police with evidence that he was never alone with two men who allege he attacked them in separate incidents in the 1980s”.

As the ST explains, “the inquiry is said to have foundered because detectives have been unable to substantiate the claims”.

“South Yorkshire Police and a spokesman for Richard declined to comment”, the ST adds, “but the prospect of an end to the 13-month inquiry will be a boost to Richard as he prepares for a UK concert tour to mark his 75th birthday”.

The much-loved star, who is estimated to have sold 250 million records during his incredible 60-year career, was described as devastated last year when police raided his Berkshire home on live TV as he was on holiday in his longtime home-from-home in the Algarve.

Sir Cliff had been given no prior warning of the investigation - operating under the umbrella of Operation Yewtree, the inquiry into allegations of historical sex abuse involving showbiz personalities - and the incident led to a public outcry over the way celebrities were being ‘named and shamed’ long before any claims against them had been proven.

Certainly Albufeira’s most internationally famous home-owner, Sir Cliff had been due to receive the Freedom of the City last year, but pulled out of the ceremony due to the sudden press furore saying he thought his presence might have overshadowed the event.

As it was this year, the award giving went ahead calmly with local mayor Carlos Sousa e Silva saying that Sir Cliff’s “strong contribution” to the town had “played a huge role in establishing it as an international destination”.

The Sunday Times story has now been picked up by the rest of British mainstream media, and is being repeated on news websites around the world.

Seven other celebrities - including comedians Freddie Starr, Jim Davidson and Jimmy Tarbuck, DJ Mike Osman and broadcaster Paul Gambuccini were also accused of offences under Operation Yewtree only to see themselves subsequently exonerated.

A friend talking to the Sunday Times has suggested Sir Cliff’s upcoming tour - due to begin in Birmingham on September 29 and end with five nights at the Royal Albert Hall from October 12 - was a sign that Richard believed he too “would soon be cleared”.

http://portugalresident.com/british-police-drop-cliff-richard-case#sthash.NhrkJKE8.dpuf

strange...not....that there are  no cries of how can he be exonerated/cleared when he hasn't been charged

[Alfred R Jones]

strange...not....that there are  no cries of how can he be exonerated/cleared when he hasn't been charged

Of course Cliff et al have already been tried and found guilty by the online paedo-obsessed mob so it's fair to say that as far as they're concerned he will never be cleared or exonerated.

[Alice Purjorick]

Of course Cliff et al have already been tried and found guilty by the online paedo-obsessed mob so it's fair to say that as far as they're concerned he will never be cleared or exonerated.

Ask the in house incumbents what they think?

[Miss Taken Identity]

Although I agree with the sentiment that historic abuse should be investigated, The MEDIA WERE culpable for accusing- arresting-charging- finding guilty Everyone the police wanted to question. Their handling of this has been shambolic. Taking the BBC to Cliffs house? wtf?

THE Good news is Cliff has not been charged with anything- The bad  news is, he is free to go on tour!! God nooooooooooooo crime against humanity that.

[slartibartfast]

My only concerns about historical prosecutions is the fallibility of memory over time both from accuser and accused PoV. Unless there is more solid evidence than the statements of the accuser and accused, there will always be doubts. Discounting the correctness of prevailing attitudes at the time, prosecuting a 50 year old crime based on modern values seems a little unfair.

[Alice Purjorick]

My only concerns about historical prosecutions is the fallibility of memory over time both from accuser and accused PoV. Unless there is more solid evidence than the statements of the accuser and accused, there will always be doubts. Discounting the correctness of prevailing attitudes at the time, prosecuting a 50 year old crime based on modern values seems a little unfair.

I tend to agree.
Back in the sixties at every motor bike grand prix the "stars" trailer park was full of young girls queuing at trailers for "autographs". Similar things prevailed at many venues where pro and semi pro rock and jazz bands played it was all part of a way of life which now is frowned upon.

[G-Unit]

My only concerns about historical prosecutions is the fallibility of memory over time both from accuser and accused PoV. Unless there is more solid evidence than the statements of the accuser and accused, there will always be doubts. Discounting the correctness of prevailing attitudes at the time, prosecuting a 50 year old crime based on modern values seems a little unfair.

I agree. Attitudes were very different years ago. Perhaps they should prosecute only the cases which would have been crimes at the time?

[slartibartfast]

I agree. Attitudes were very different years ago. Perhaps they should prosecute only the cases which would have been crimes at the time?

Homosexuality?

[Alfred R Jones]

Homosexuality?

nice one.

[jassi]

Homosexuality?

If one of the parties was underage at the time, why not?

[Alfred R Jones]

If one of the parties was underage at the time, why not?

You can't go around prosecuting people for actions that WERE crimes at the time but which aren't now, don't be silly.

[jassi]

Would it not be sexual molestation or assault of a minor ? - which is still a crime today.