On the BBC site they talk about 24 August as the trial date "Johnson, from Castle Eden, County Durham, was released on conditional bail ahead of his trial on 24 August". http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-32989234
That would leave us with a problem The transfer window shuts quick, and we could be left high and dry if the worst happens
Thank god for Duncan Watmore and the January transfer window I say, Duncan can come in when the trial starts and if he's guilty bring in AJs replacement in January while Duncan steps back a bit.
Think LVG will be looking for Januzaj to be loaned out this season as well, that'd be one worth visiting for you lot.
Does he play on the right? I wouldn't feel happy bring another teams youngster through when we have one ready to start breaking the first team.
Plays on both wings mate, he's gonna need experience next season and a run in the team. He could make a difference to a lot of clubs, Southampton would be my preferred choice but they're a bit too close for comfort to start loaning them players.
I'm sure we'll be putting money aside to replace him if he goes down. At least that would be the sensible contingency plan to replace him properly. Saying that we're not made of money so I'd be open to making him one of our prem loans for the full season in July as we're woeful on the left and need options in the middle. But not for the left and not in Jan
To try and clarify the legal bits (so far as I can) AJ has been charged with 2 (maybe 3 can`t recall) offences of sexual activity with a child under 16 - if that "activity" involves penetration then the case can only be heard in the Crown Court (i.e. in front of a judge and jury). If the activity alleged does not involve penetration then it is an "either way" offence and can be heard in either the Crown Court or the Magistrates Court depending on how serious the allegation is. [ To clarify - theft is also an "either way offence"; if you are charged with stealing a can of beer from Tesco then the Magistrates are going to have sufficient sentencing powers; if you are charged with the recent jewellery heist in those London vaults the Magistrates won`t have sufficient sentencing powers and will send it to the Crown Court.] I haven`t seen anything to indicate in AJ`s case how "serious" the allegation is but the offence ranges from "penetration" (at the top end of the scale) to "other sexual activity" (at the lower end) - definitive guidance can be seen at the Sentencing Councils website. Even if the Crown says the case is at the lower end and does not allege any "aggravating features" (in which case the Magistrates would, based on the sentencing guidance, have sufficient sentencing powers) then AJ can choose to have the case tried at the Crown Court rather than the Magistrates Court. [This is true for all either way offences] The grooming offence is an either way offence and the same analysis applies. The most likely defence (and this can apply to both charges) is that 1. Nothing happened; or if it did 2. AJ had a reasonable belief that she was over 16 I would not be surprised if both are run. I have had a look and so far as I can see the reasonable belief defence applies equally to the grooming charge as to the sexual activity ones.
I'm sure I read he was pictured going into the Crown Court to plead today, I assume the rest of the trial would take place at the same venue. The rags are using words like "Allegedly" and making accusations that the alleged offence took place in two separate places in one night, and the grooming part allegedly took place between December and February. I doubt the accuracy of the tabloids mind, but it seems a bit pointless printing such crap when you apply logic, it makes no odds really does it?
He will formally enter his plea at the Crown Court (not sure when) at a "Plea and Case Management Hearing" - plea entered, administrative applications made (you`d think that his team would want to see any papers that exist from anywhere that throw any light on her character generally - e.g. any social services records or similar), a direction that any experts (telephone types maybe) meet to see if they can agree anything to narrow any issues, an indication from AJ as to what his defence looks like (he`ll have submitted a Defence Case Statement outlining what he takes issue with) The Court will then want a steer as to how long the trial might take to try and fix a slot which is convenient for the parties...this can be a ball ache - I have a 4 defendant HSE trial at present - the offence (my client has entered guilty pleas) occurred in March 2012 - the hearing has been listed for October this year...trying to get 5 barristers diaries lined up and sufficient court time...
That's correct new wording they use these day.s plea at the Crown Court (not sure when) at a "Plea and Case Management Hearing"
More than happy to help (I do a bit of criminal work but can`t pretend to specialise other than in regulatory (HSE and similar) type stuff)...mainly an employment lawyer £250 + vat an hour (I promise I don`t take that home!) - mates rates for initial advice (generally by the pint)
Turn into??? "Roughly 1 in 5 lawyers is addicted to alcohol" (according to the Benchmark Institute - the rest were too pissed to answer the survey) I think it is 14 years
