Gold E lox

We have looked at the major areas of law; now see if you can spot them in this well-known story.

You are about to publish this story as a crime story, but first you must read through then list the potential legal implications of reporting this. The source is: unknown eye witness.

Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Goldilocks.  She went for a walk in the forest.  Pretty soon, she came upon a house.  She knocked and, when no one answered, she walked right in.

At the table in the kitchen, there were three bowls of porridge. Goldilocks was hungry.  She tasted the porridge from the first bowl.

"This porridge is too hot!" she exclaimed.

So, she tasted the porridge from the second bowl.

"This porridge is too cold," she said

So, she tasted the last bowl of porridge.

"Ahhh, this porridge is just right," she said happily and she ate it all up.

After she'd eaten the three bears' breakfasts she decided she was feeling a little tired.  So, she walked into the living room where she saw three chairs.  Goldilocks sat in the first chair to rest her feet. 

"This chair is too big!" she exclaimed.

So she sat in the second chair.

"This chair is too big, too!"  she whined.

So she tried the last and smallest chair.

"Ahhh, this chair is just right," she sighed.  But just as she settled down into the chair to rest, it broke into pieces!

Goldilocks was very tired by this time, so she went upstairs to the bedroom.  She lay down in the first bed, but it was too hard.  Then she lay in the second bed, but it was too soft.  Then she lay down in the third bed and it was just right.  Goldilocks fell asleep.

As she was sleeping, the three bears came home.

"Someone's been eating my porridge," growled the Papa bear.

"Someone's been eating my porridge," said the Mama bear.

"Someone's been eating my porridge and they ate it all up!" cried the Baby bear.

"Someone's been sitting in my chair," growled the Papa bear.

"Someone's been sitting in my chair," said the Mama bear.

"Someone's been sitting in my chair and they've broken it all to pieces," cried the Baby bear.

They decided to look around some more and when they got upstairs to the bedroom, Papa bear growled, "Someone's been sleeping in my bed,"

"Someone's been sleeping in my bed, too" said the Mama bear

"Someone's been sleeping in my bed and she's still there!" exclaimed Baby bear.

Just then, Goldilocks woke up and saw the three bears.  She screamed, "Help!"  And she jumped up and ran out of the room.  Goldilocks ran down the stairs, opened the door, and ran away into the forest.  And she never returned to the home of the three bears.

 Defemation:

Publishing this report that suggests Goldilocks committed criminal offences – damage etc… you have not got this from a police source so you could not argue ‘privilege’ – we don’t yet know if it is true so you cannot argue ‘justification’

You should check with the police before publication.

She (or any one else called Goldilocks) can sue you for liable.

Contempt:

Goldilocks appears to have committed several crimes: theft of porridge; criminal damage to Baby bear’s chair; and offences under the Sexual Offences Act (stay with me here …). She is now on the run.

Proceedings are ACTIVE if a warrant for her arrest has been issued – you must check this.

Contempt:

If proceedings are ACTIVE it is safe to publish a police appeal for help and to report the crimes. It’s safe to use Goldilocks’ photo or e-fit until she’s arrested.

Check Goldilocks’ age though – if she is under 10, she cannot be charged with a criminal offence.

PUNISHMENT IS?

Up to two years in jail!

Child Anonymity:

If Baby Bear is under 16, he should not be named under the PCC Code, as he is a victim of crime.

Bear in mind that bear years are 3.5 x human ones.

Sexual Offences:

The fact Goldilocks slept in Baby Bear’s bed means there may be offences under the SOA.

So Baby Bear gets lifelong anonymity, and you may not be able to name Mr and Mrs Bear as it could lead to Baby bear’s ID being revealed

Child Protection:

Goldilocks may be a vulnerable child and subject to a care order or may even be a ward of court. Check with social services. If she’s subject to any care proceedings, you cannot name her or use any of her detail leading to her ID without consent of the court.