Statuory law???

[NNoz]

my mate got in a fight 4 years ago it was pretty bad and 1 person got hurt, he left the country before he got arrested and is coming back now, will the police still be looking for him, or if he gets pulled for speeding will it all come back to him? ive spoke to a police officer and she seems to think it statuory law after 2 years of not been apprehended the case will be closed?? is this true??

[boxtops]

I've never heard that a warrant "dies" - MO if there's an outstanding arrest warrant for someone, it'll be picked up on his record when he comes through customs as he enters the country. I may be wrong but I've heard of people being arrested as soon as they come into the country. Interested in what others say on this one.

[shoota]

It depends to a certain extent on the severity of the injury and the strength of the evidence against your mate but it is possible that the above answer is correct.

[Buenchico]

As Boxtops indicates, the UK Border Agency has a computer system which flags up anyone who is wanted by the police, resulting upon their immediate arrest upon trying to enter the country.

For minor assaults, falling under the category of 'common assault', the law states that 'the information must be laid' before a court within 6 months of the offence. More serious assaults, such as ABH or GBH, are not subject to such a restriction. There is no law imposing a time limit (of 2 years, or of anything else) upon when an arrest and charges can result from such an offence.

Chris

[tonywiltshire]

I think you may be thinking NN about the limitations act 1980 (statute barred), which applies to civil law.

[The-HouseHusband]

If his details were logged and he has an outstanding warrant for his arrest then he can be detained as soon as he enters the country. He may have just been wanted for questioning at the time of issue and then let off with a caution, however having left the country to avoid arrest would seem to be an admission of guilt. I would expect the police to hit him with a bit more than a slap on the wrist, however the CPS may do their usual and throw out the case due to time/lack of evidence.

[exdc]

Its rather concerning that a police officer 'seeems to think' a 2 yr statutory time limit applies for what appears to be a serious assault (hardly surprising when officers only get lessons on 'diversity' issues and very little law training, if any).

Also, there is unlikely to be any arrest warrant issued here (going on the info desclosed by the poster) but will be placed on PNC as wanted.

[cathfromsaron]

is he 'wanted' or not?

if he's on a list then he's wanted!

[lcg]

no...he will still be wanted. someone will report he is back in the country....there are always people with an axe to grind or grass him up. justice should catch up with him for the sake of the victim.

[NNoz]

can someone pls help

[factor-fiction]

Maybe he could ring the police and ask? Or maybe he should ask just before he goes through passport control

[NNoz]

hes got through customs fine, it would prob been classed as GBH. hes wanted as a person of intrest to question, does this mean he'll get arrested?
i think hes got away with it??? its 4 years later people wont remeber what happened

[boxtops]

You may be surprised, NNoz - people have very long memories (and I don't mean the police). I'm surprised he wasn't stopped on entry.