"...... other offences taken into account"

[Bbbananas]

When you read that so and so has pleaded guilty to whatever and has asked for ..... other offences to be taken into account - how is it known how many other offences there truly are? After all, the accused is hardly likely to voluntarily confess are they? Does this mean other evidence has been amassed - say from cc cameras etc?

I am thinking along the lines of shoplifting.

[sara3]

hi sal.. it means there's an additional list of (probably smaller) offences that could be taken as extra charges in court, but instead they are lumped together into TIC (taken into consideration) schedules.
for benefit fraud purposes if someone signs on whilst not declaring work, every time they physically sign on it's a criminal offence. they are (usually) charged with 2-3 "specimen" offences, and a very long list of TICs can be produced (although often isn't) just to show the extent of the fraud.

[Bbbananas]

Oh I see sara, thanks. I always read these notices and think why would you confess to, for instance, a further 5 or so offences that weren't previously known about....

[sara3]

the idea is that, if you choose not to accept the TICs they could actually be put as further charges, and potentially leave you with a worse criminal record.
I think TICs are used for sentencing purposes, to make it more serious than just the 2-3 charges but reflecting the over-all offences.
in my experience, I've never known anyone to not accept the TICs, so it must work in their favour somehow. (sorry, all a bit vague!)

[Bbbananas]

Thanks sara. Can I just point out, this is purely a matter of curiosity after reading our local rag - not me up for shoplifting !

[sara3]

of course!


bahaaahaaaahaaaahaaaaaa ;o)

[Bbbananas]

I'm far too clever at it to be caught ;-)

[Bbbananas]

NB: for any lawyers, police, judges, barristers, legal eagles reading this - that was a joke ;-)

[madsad873]

so sara3 does that mean the courts can use TLC S from say 6yrs ago if its a similar offence committed again ?

[sara3]

committed again?

I don't see why TICs can't go back over years. I think we do that for offences that would otherwise be time-barred.

obviously I'm not a lawyer.. someone may come along with a better response!

[hc4361]

The police and government love TiCs. Instead of an arrest leading to one solved crime, the perp allows them to clear up countless crimes.
Makes their stats look good.

In some instances, an early admission of guilt to the offence arrested for can lead to a more lenient sentence, and TiCs can greatly help with the lighter sentencing.
It sounds odd, but usually the perp stresses his remorse and determination to 'turn over a new leaf'. It's a win win - the police don't waste time chasing otherwise unsolved crimes and the crim gets a lighter sentence.