'I was attacked on CCTV - but the charge was dropped in a plea deal'
Summary
Liz Shanks was the victim of domestic abuse that was caught on camera. She was upset to find that some of the charges against her abuser were dropped as part of a plea deal. She and other abuse survivors are asking for changes to the law so victims are told about plea deals.Key Facts
- Liz Shanks installed cameras around her house and they recorded her being abused by Chris Forrest, her former partner.
- These recordings were key evidence in a 2022 court case where Forrest was jailed for 27 months.
- Forrest pleaded guilty to four charges, but seven others were dropped as part of a plea deal.
- A plea deal is when the accused admits to certain charges in return for others being dropped.
- Shanks and others want the law to be changed so victims know about any plea deals.
- The leader of the Scottish Conservatives supports this change, but the Justice Secretary does not.
- Plea deals in Scotland are negotiated by a procurator fiscal, who can accept a not guilty plea for some charges if the accused admits other charges.
- Liz Shanks is one of seven campaigners featured in a BBC documentary about domestic abuse, all of whom are asking for better rights for victims in the legal process.
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