Innocent until proven guilty
WHEN there was a report of a murder and subsequent arrests in Darnley Road in Grays in May 2010, you may have noticed that the press did not go there, interview witnesses and then report their statement as exclusive interviews. You may have raised an eyebrow if you had read eye witness accounts of how people had seen Priscilla Scamp (who was eventually convicted of murder) walking down Grays high street with blood spattered trousers.
The YT calendar is full of cases that are due to be heard in Basildon magistrates and crown court over the next few months. All that we have written so far is the bare minimum allowed under the law.
Once the case takes place, we are allowed (with certain exceptions) to report on the proceedings.
The reason is quite simple. To do so is a crime. The particular law is the Contempt of Court Act.
Many of the national press got into hot water, i.e sued for contravening the contempt act over their coverage of the murder of Joanna Yeates in Dec 2010.
Last week, Falkirk MP, Eric Joyce was arrested and subsequently charged over an alleged assault (s).
Two of the alleged victims are Little Blackshots councillor Ben Maney and Vange councillor (and South Basildon and East Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe’s political assistant) Luke MacKenzie.
On Friday, MacKenzie and another assistant, councillor Mark Coxshall were ringing around the papers.
When it came to the Thurrock Enquirer, the veteran editor, Neil Speight probably reminded them of the law. Mr Speight published a straight forward version. But we know that Mr Speight has become absolutely exasperated, that in the middle of the Leveson inquiry, the laws are being trampled over.
Likewise, the Echo’s excellent crime reporter, Gina Marden wrote the bare minimum as well.
“TORY politicians from South Essex were caught up in a violent brawl in a House of Commons bar.
Basildon councillor Luke MacKenzie is alleged to have been punched in the face while Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price stepped in to help break up the fracas.
Trouble broke out in the bar at 11pm on Wednesday when Labour MP Eric Joyce is alleged to have attacked several people.
Mr Joyce has been arrested and remains in police custody.”
However Jackie has gone on record in the Thurrock Gazette to give an EXCLUSIVE full statement on events as well as making certain value judgements.
This is not a criticism of the MP, who, according to reports, showed commendable bravery.
Why the contrast in the two papers? Ask them. But it does beg a question as to whether Mr Joyce can receive a fair trial?
Thurrock’s Twitterati
YT first went on to Twitter on December 28th. Since then we have gathered 2,800 followers. Most are from the world of social media and politics but steadily we have been gathering tweeters from the Thurrock area.
There is Thurrock Weather (19.4 degrees in Aveley earlier this week. There is eagle eyed Thurrock Dave. There are the social media trailblazers such as Socialscene as well as CedarHall clinic.
Many a story has started with someone tweeting: “Do you know what is happening?” and away we go from there. The council are steadily embracing it and kept us all informed re the bins when the snow came.
It helps us a great deal. The sooner we know about a fire in a scrapyard in Tilbury, a road closure on the Dock Road the better. Sometimes getting the info on a crime allows us to quell the jungle drums. (Thanks Georgegirl!).
We do hope out Thurrock twitter nation continues to thrive!
