GutShot ...any news?

[Spenny_007]

So any1 heard anything as i thought the court hearing was on the 10th?

Cheers Guys.

Darren.

[TightEnd]

deferred

this is gone to take if not years many months

[mikkyT]

The law on gaming (in relation to poker clubs at least) will be relaxed before they reach a verdict imo.

[lazaroonie]

If I read it right the deferral is on the decision to transfer the case to the Crown Court as opposed to the local magistrates court, so that it can be heard by a judge and more importantly a jury, rather than a Magistrate.

Would seem a sensible strategy , but the sharp end of that could be a judge can hand down a longer sentence, if there was a guilty verdict.

A long way to go yet before we even start "the trial".

[Robert HM]

My understanding is the charge is an "either way" offence, i.e. it can be tried in the Magistrates' or Crown Court. The case starts in the Magistrates' court and the bench have to decide whether it is one they could deal with or whether their sentencing powers are too limited and should go instead to the Crown Court. If they decide they do indeed have the power to deal with it a defendant can "elect" to have it heard in a Crown Court. It is understood that the defendant elected for the matter to go to the Crown Court.

If the matter is to be heard in the Crown Court the case is adjouned to allow the prosecution to get a "commital bundle" together to show to the Magistrates that there is indeed a case to answer. If satisfied the magistrates then "commit" the matter to the Crown Court for a "Pleas and Directions"hearing, this is how far the Gutshot care has got I believe.