Credit Munch

Get 20% off your bill at Pizza Express

Navigation - link to other main sections from here

Skip Navigation

From The Times
February 6, 2004

Juries lack material evidence

By Alexandra Frean
WHEN Michael Brizzalari was convicted of child abuse in 2002, the judge told the jurors that there was some “serious lying going on” and invited them to decide whether the witnesses or the defendant were responsible. Lack of compelling material evidence in cases of historical abuse often leaves judges and juries in such a difficult position.

Mr Brizzalari, from Grimsby, a retired care worker, was jailed for 15 years for abusing girls in a local authority care home where he worked until the early 1990s. His appeal was heard this week and he is awaiting a ruling.

James Bernard Littlewood, who was convicted of abuse at the same home, is also appealing against his conviction. The men hope to join the growing list of children’s workers who have overturned convictions of abuse. They include Basil Rigby-Williams, who was freed from jail last year after judges ruled that his conviction for abusing boys was unsafe.

Mr Rigby-Williams, 58, had been jailed in 1999 for 12 years after he was found guilty of 19 charges of indecent assault and one charge of serious sexual assault. He worked at the same Merseyside approved school as the Wolverhampton Wanderers football manager Dave Jones, who was cleared of similar charges three years ago.

Also in UK News

Also in News

Comment    

Caitlin Moran

open quote mark There can be no doubt that there are thousands of men who have a sense of humour like Brand and Ross close quote mark

More...
Caitlin Moran

Pictures of the Week

A diver in Santa’s costume feeds moray and spotted eagle ray as part of a Christmas event at Sunshine International aquarium in Tokyo, Japan

A selection of the best images from around the world

Slide Show

Troops return

Thousands of people lined the High Street in Colchester on Wednesday, November 19 to welcome home soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment. During its recent tour of Afghanistan, the battalion lost nine soldiers, plus a further six who were either linked to or who worked with it

Ceremonies to mark the return of British soldiers - and those who did not survive

Slide Show

Comment Central

What happens when you reply to Nigerian scam e-mail

Read the hilarious exchange

    School Gate

    Body and Soul pushchair

    Going the wrong way - why your baby should face you

    Baby P case

    Baby P

    Tragic death of 17-month-old at hands of mother and boyfriend

    Slide Show

    Money Central

    Jasper, a dog dubbed one of "Britain?s richest hounds", who, it?s owner Sir Benjamin Slade believes, can help attract civil ceremonies to his Maunsel House country estate

    The world's 10 richest pets

      Most Read

      Skip Most Read

      Today

      MOST COMMENTED

      Skip Editor's Pick

      Today

      MOST CURIOUS

      Skip Most Curious

      Today

      Focus Zone

      Need to Know

      Need to Know

      Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast

      Social Entrepreneurs

      Social Entrepreneurs:

      The inside track on current trends in the charity, not for profit and social enterprise sectors

      Asian Cuisine

      Asian Cuisine:

      Explore your passion for food with the delights of Thai, Indian & Chinese cooking

      James Bond

      James Bond:

      Read our exclusive 100 Years of Fleming and Bond interactive timeline, packed with original Times articles and reviews

      business travel

      Business Travel:

      Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip

      previous next

      Peter Sands...CEO...Standard Chartered.

      Andrew Davidson meets Peter Sands

      Services

      accenture

      Need to Know

      Industry Sectors news at a glance

      Croatia

      Croatia 8 days from £659

      Dubrovnik, the Dalmatian Coast and Montenegro

      Credit Crunched?

      Our Credit Clinic has free help and advice

      The Singapore skyline pictured at night

      Business City Guides

      Overseas contacts and local business information

      Popular Searches on Times Online

      books | chess | chinese democracy | credit crunch | dating | fashion | football | formula 1 | mortgages | need to know | pensions | podcasts | recipes | redundancy calculator | savings | sudoku | us elections | wine

      Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles

      Classifieds 

      Cars

      Skip Cars of the Week

      Saab 9-3

      05/2005
      £13,500

      Bentley Continental

      08/2008
      £109,950

      Mini Cooper

      2006
      £10,750

      Car insurance

      Great car insurance deals online


      Jobs

      Skip Jobs of the Week
      Director

      £100k
      The National Skills Academy for Social Care
      London

      Head of International Programme

      £49,229 - £62,035 pro rata
      Charity Commission
      London/Liverpool/Taunton

      European Marketing Director

      £75k - £85k
      Confidential
      London

      Director Roles

      Six Figure
      Rolls Royce
      Midlands/Europe

      Properties

      Still Looking For Your Perfect Home?

      Times Online Property Search will help you find it

      Holidays

      Skip Travel of the Week

      Funway Holiday Int Inc

      Amazing Far East Offers - Visit Hong Kong
      from £499pp

      Funway Holidays Int Inc

      Cruise the Islands of Hawaii - Pride of America


      Advertise your holiday property online

      List your property with two leading travel websites


      Travel insurance

      Great travel insurance deals online


      Place your advert now