UK government reviews why police ceding criminal cases to US military
Summary
The UK government is reviewing why British police have allowed US military personnel accused of serious crimes in the UK to be investigated and tried by the US military instead of British courts. This review began after reports showed several cases where US service members were prosecuted under US military law, which offers different protections and definitions of crimes compared to UK law.Key Facts
- UK police often let US military investigators handle cases involving US personnel accused of crimes on UK soil.
- Cases tried by the US military use the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), which defines some crimes like rape more narrowly than UK law.
- This leads to some US service members being charged with lesser offences in military courts rather than serious charges in UK courts.
- An example case involved US pilot Capt Jacob Wulfson, who was convicted of strangulation but acquitted of sexual assault in a US court martial held on a UK base.
- Victims have fewer protections and may receive less justice under US military trials than in British courts.
- UK ministers and police chiefs are now reviewing the process to ensure victims are treated properly and cases are referred to UK prosecutors when appropriate.
- The UK government is pressing the US to provide full details on these cases and improve cooperation.
- Multiple cases of alleged sexual offences by US military personnel on UK soil have come to light, raising concerns over jurisdiction and justice.
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