Tristan Kirk
@kirkkorner.bsky.social
Courts Correspondent for the London Standard
www.standard.co.uk
Daily coverage from the biggest court cases in London and beyond
www.standard.co.uk
Daily coverage from the biggest court cases in London and beyond
Losing a loved one is hard. Coping with grief is harder for some than others.
In a compassionate society, a grieving person with mental health struggles who hasn’t paid a household bill would be helped, not convicted of a crime
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/t...
In a compassionate society, a grieving person with mental health struggles who hasn’t paid a household bill would be helped, not convicted of a crime
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/t...
Grieving daughter convicted over unpaid TV Licence
A grieving woman with mental health problems is the latest case to emerge from the Single Justice Procedure
www.standard.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Losing a loved one is hard. Coping with grief is harder for some than others.
In a compassionate society, a grieving person with mental health struggles who hasn’t paid a household bill would be helped, not convicted of a crime
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/t...
In a compassionate society, a grieving person with mental health struggles who hasn’t paid a household bill would be helped, not convicted of a crime
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/t...
I was in court today for a hearing of the prisoner accidentally set free from jail. He wasn't there.
It is a case study in the terrible communication between prisons, courts, and the immigration system. Absolutely atrocious, but equally not that surprising
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/p...
It is a case study in the terrible communication between prisons, courts, and the immigration system. Absolutely atrocious, but equally not that surprising
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/p...
Accidentally freed prisoner was given bail from immigration centre
Judge Rosa Dean ordered prosecutors to provide more information on Brahim Kaddour-Cherif
www.standard.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 8:29 PM
I was in court today for a hearing of the prisoner accidentally set free from jail. He wasn't there.
It is a case study in the terrible communication between prisons, courts, and the immigration system. Absolutely atrocious, but equally not that surprising
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/p...
It is a case study in the terrible communication between prisons, courts, and the immigration system. Absolutely atrocious, but equally not that surprising
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/p...
The Criminal Justice System in this country is fundamentally broken. Trials will soon be set in 2030, victims are losing faith, prisons are full, and crimes may be going unsolved
My long read for this week's @thelondonstandard.bsky.social
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/b...
My long read for this week's @thelondonstandard.bsky.social
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/b...
Tipping Point: Inside Britain's broken justice system
Trials delayed until 2030, victims and defendants’ lives on hold, buildings without running water. Courts correspondent Tristan Kirk reports on a shameful decline
www.standard.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 1:11 PM
The Criminal Justice System in this country is fundamentally broken. Trials will soon be set in 2030, victims are losing faith, prisons are full, and crimes may be going unsolved
My long read for this week's @thelondonstandard.bsky.social
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/b...
My long read for this week's @thelondonstandard.bsky.social
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/b...
I'm writing today about the broken Criminal Justice System
For a boost, I bought a coffee from the Old Bailey's canteen, which was downgraded recently to a vending machine
The machine promised an overpriced latte, then spewed out a black coffee with no milk
Is this the metaphor my article needs?
For a boost, I bought a coffee from the Old Bailey's canteen, which was downgraded recently to a vending machine
The machine promised an overpriced latte, then spewed out a black coffee with no milk
Is this the metaphor my article needs?
October 31, 2025 at 11:18 AM
I'm writing today about the broken Criminal Justice System
For a boost, I bought a coffee from the Old Bailey's canteen, which was downgraded recently to a vending machine
The machine promised an overpriced latte, then spewed out a black coffee with no milk
Is this the metaphor my article needs?
For a boost, I bought a coffee from the Old Bailey's canteen, which was downgraded recently to a vending machine
The machine promised an overpriced latte, then spewed out a black coffee with no milk
Is this the metaphor my article needs?
More trouble for HMP Chelmsford, the prison which accidentally set free a sex offender:
One of the inmates died when staff filed to spot he was a known suicide risk www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/hmp-...
One of the inmates died when staff filed to spot he was a known suicide risk www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/hmp-...
Inmate at scandal-hit jail died after staff didn't spot suicide risk
An inmate at scandal-hit HMP Chelmsford died despite being a known suicide risk
www.standard.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 7:57 AM
More trouble for HMP Chelmsford, the prison which accidentally set free a sex offender:
One of the inmates died when staff filed to spot he was a known suicide risk www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/hmp-...
One of the inmates died when staff filed to spot he was a known suicide risk www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/hmp-...
Politicians have simplistic solutions to crime - lock everyone up, and for longer
They then have a casual indifference to what happens once the cell door is shut
This weekend's crisis over the prisoner wrongly released is symptomatic of a broken system
www.standard.co.uk/comment/sex-...
They then have a casual indifference to what happens once the cell door is shut
This weekend's crisis over the prisoner wrongly released is symptomatic of a broken system
www.standard.co.uk/comment/sex-...
Sex offender's accidental release shows the mess our prisons are in
Our prisons are failing and have been for some time. This latest episode should be a wake-up call
www.standard.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Politicians have simplistic solutions to crime - lock everyone up, and for longer
They then have a casual indifference to what happens once the cell door is shut
This weekend's crisis over the prisoner wrongly released is symptomatic of a broken system
www.standard.co.uk/comment/sex-...
They then have a casual indifference to what happens once the cell door is shut
This weekend's crisis over the prisoner wrongly released is symptomatic of a broken system
www.standard.co.uk/comment/sex-...
You've being summonsed to court, you believe it is wrong/malicious, and a suspected abuse of the justice system
The court's answer: Come to court to argue your case, face the person who summonsed you anyway, and pay £300 for the privilege
The county courts in this country have some issues....
The court's answer: Come to court to argue your case, face the person who summonsed you anyway, and pay £300 for the privilege
The county courts in this country have some issues....
Commons Speaker made extraordinary intervention so that Labour minister didn't have to go face-to-face in court with a trans woman she says was harassing her
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/c...
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/c...
Speaker took rare step to stop government minister facing court
Ellie Reeves gave evidence from behind a screen at Westminster Magistrates’ Court
www.standard.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 2:43 PM
You've being summonsed to court, you believe it is wrong/malicious, and a suspected abuse of the justice system
The court's answer: Come to court to argue your case, face the person who summonsed you anyway, and pay £300 for the privilege
The county courts in this country have some issues....
The court's answer: Come to court to argue your case, face the person who summonsed you anyway, and pay £300 for the privilege
The county courts in this country have some issues....
Commons Speaker made extraordinary intervention so that Labour minister didn't have to go face-to-face in court with a trans woman she says was harassing her
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/c...
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/c...
Speaker took rare step to stop government minister facing court
Ellie Reeves gave evidence from behind a screen at Westminster Magistrates’ Court
www.standard.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Commons Speaker made extraordinary intervention so that Labour minister didn't have to go face-to-face in court with a trans woman she says was harassing her
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/c...
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/c...
Pensioner with dementia living in a care home is convicted in our broken court system over a £43 car bill
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/p...
I’ve been writing versions of this story for more than two years now. If politicians were interested in helping vulnerable people, they would act
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/p...
I’ve been writing versions of this story for more than two years now. If politicians were interested in helping vulnerable people, they would act
Fast-track court scandal: Pensioner with dementia convicted over £43 car bill
The pensioner’s conviction is the latest scandal to emerge from the controversial Single Justice Procedure
www.standard.co.uk
October 25, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Pensioner with dementia living in a care home is convicted in our broken court system over a £43 car bill
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/p...
I’ve been writing versions of this story for more than two years now. If politicians were interested in helping vulnerable people, they would act
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/p...
I’ve been writing versions of this story for more than two years now. If politicians were interested in helping vulnerable people, they would act
A court has requested a Latin interpreter for today's sentencing hearing
LATIN (AMERICAN) INTERPRETER REQUIRED
Luckily they added (American), and someone who speaks Spanish has turned up.
Otherwise the interpreter might have spent the day translating legal asides, but not much else
LATIN (AMERICAN) INTERPRETER REQUIRED
Luckily they added (American), and someone who speaks Spanish has turned up.
Otherwise the interpreter might have spent the day translating legal asides, but not much else
October 24, 2025 at 9:35 AM
A court has requested a Latin interpreter for today's sentencing hearing
LATIN (AMERICAN) INTERPRETER REQUIRED
Luckily they added (American), and someone who speaks Spanish has turned up.
Otherwise the interpreter might have spent the day translating legal asides, but not much else
LATIN (AMERICAN) INTERPRETER REQUIRED
Luckily they added (American), and someone who speaks Spanish has turned up.
Otherwise the interpreter might have spent the day translating legal asides, but not much else
Baby P's mother Tracey Connelly says 'I was a crap mum' in latest bid for release from jail
A big understatement, you might think
This hearing was a good example of why open justice is important.
Public Parole Board hearings are a great innovation
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/b...
A big understatement, you might think
This hearing was a good example of why open justice is important.
Public Parole Board hearings are a great innovation
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/b...
Baby P's mother Tracey Connelly says 'I was a crap mum' as she bids for release
Tracey Connelly speaks publicly for the first time since her conviction over death of her child Peter who suffered horrific abuse
www.standard.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Baby P's mother Tracey Connelly says 'I was a crap mum' in latest bid for release from jail
A big understatement, you might think
This hearing was a good example of why open justice is important.
Public Parole Board hearings are a great innovation
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/b...
A big understatement, you might think
This hearing was a good example of why open justice is important.
Public Parole Board hearings are a great innovation
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/b...
The Ministry of Justice has been convicted of a crime and fined £1,000, in a closed-door court hearing the department itself was apparently not aware was happening
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/m...
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/m...
Ministry of Justice handed criminal conviction in fast-track courts
The Ministry of Justice is now seeking to overturn its conviction
www.standard.co.uk
October 21, 2025 at 10:40 AM
The Ministry of Justice has been convicted of a crime and fined £1,000, in a closed-door court hearing the department itself was apparently not aware was happening
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/m...
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/m...
City of London police officer who posted sexist, ableist, and homophobic comments on Twitter is allowed to keep job
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/c...
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/c...
Officer tweeted crude jokes about woman’s ‘boobs’ and Prince Andrew
PC Andrew Jacks’ private X account discovered during re-vetting of all City of London Police staff working in the Square Mile
www.standard.co.uk
October 21, 2025 at 7:24 AM
City of London police officer who posted sexist, ableist, and homophobic comments on Twitter is allowed to keep job
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/c...
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/c...
Reposted by Tristan Kirk
Open Justice. Why are these journalists fighting secrecy in the courts? Join @sanchia7.bsky.social & @kirkkorner.bsky.social at @goldsmithsuol.bsky.social @mediacomgold.bsky.social for a revealing discussion. Reception afterwards. All welcome. Details below 👇🏽https://www.gold.ac.uk/calendar/?id=15603
October 20, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Open Justice. Why are these journalists fighting secrecy in the courts? Join @sanchia7.bsky.social & @kirkkorner.bsky.social at @goldsmithsuol.bsky.social @mediacomgold.bsky.social for a revealing discussion. Reception afterwards. All welcome. Details below 👇🏽https://www.gold.ac.uk/calendar/?id=15603
Watch: Police officer guilty of assault for grabbing teenage fare dodger by her neck www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/p...
Police officer who tackled teenage fare dodger by grabbing her NECK guilty of assault
PC Adrian Young grabbed a teenage fare dodger around the neck at a London train station
www.standard.co.uk
October 8, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Watch: Police officer guilty of assault for grabbing teenage fare dodger by her neck www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/p...
MPs demand answers as to why the Chinese 'spies' case collapsed
Wish them the best, but being realistic, CPS pulls the plug on cases & often offers no explanation
Something vague about evidential test not met, maybe
These two have been treated no differently.
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/c...
Wish them the best, but being realistic, CPS pulls the plug on cases & often offers no explanation
Something vague about evidential test not met, maybe
These two have been treated no differently.
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/c...
Senior MPs demand answers on collapsed 'Chinese spies' case
Tory and Labour MPs have demanded an explanation from the Director of Public Prosecutions
www.standard.co.uk
September 30, 2025 at 5:01 PM
MPs demand answers as to why the Chinese 'spies' case collapsed
Wish them the best, but being realistic, CPS pulls the plug on cases & often offers no explanation
Something vague about evidential test not met, maybe
These two have been treated no differently.
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/c...
Wish them the best, but being realistic, CPS pulls the plug on cases & often offers no explanation
Something vague about evidential test not met, maybe
These two have been treated no differently.
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/c...
Turn up to court, judge starts to hear the case I’m interested in, staff have forgotten to unlock the doors.
Been a while since this happened…
#SecretJustice
Been a while since this happened…
#SecretJustice
September 30, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Turn up to court, judge starts to hear the case I’m interested in, staff have forgotten to unlock the doors.
Been a while since this happened…
#SecretJustice
Been a while since this happened…
#SecretJustice
We have a system of justice which is secretive, known to be flawed and unfair, and week-by-week lands very vulnerable people with harsh criminal convictions
And we have a government which is content for that to keep happening
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/t...
And we have a government which is content for that to keep happening
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/t...
Teen convicted over no car insurance while battling for life in hospital
The teenager’s harsh criminal conviction came through the controversial Single Justice Procedure
www.standard.co.uk
September 20, 2025 at 7:56 AM
We have a system of justice which is secretive, known to be flawed and unfair, and week-by-week lands very vulnerable people with harsh criminal convictions
And we have a government which is content for that to keep happening
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/t...
And we have a government which is content for that to keep happening
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/t...
Constance Marten and Mark Gordon sentenced to 14 years in prison each for killing their baby while on the run
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/c...
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/c...
Constance Marten and Mark Gordon jailed for killing baby daughter while on the run
Constance Marten and Mark Gordon were convicted of the gross negligence manslaughter of their baby daughter
www.standard.co.uk
September 15, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Constance Marten and Mark Gordon sentenced to 14 years in prison each for killing their baby while on the run
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/c...
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/c...
TV presenter Jay Blades gets an apology from a judge, as his trial on rape charges is set for 2027.
"It's not a proper justice system....", admits the judge
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/j...
"It's not a proper justice system....", admits the judge
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/j...
The Repair Shop's Jay Blades denies rape charges in latest court appearance
Jay Blades, 55, was charged last month with two counts of rape
www.standard.co.uk
September 10, 2025 at 9:44 AM
TV presenter Jay Blades gets an apology from a judge, as his trial on rape charges is set for 2027.
"It's not a proper justice system....", admits the judge
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/j...
"It's not a proper justice system....", admits the judge
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/j...
Dutch football legend Edgar Davids' art collection raided by fraudster www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/e...
Edgar Davids fell victim to fraudster who raided art collection
Edgar Davids realised his art collection had been plundered after receiving an Instagram message from a man who had bought one of the pieces
www.standard.co.uk
September 10, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Dutch football legend Edgar Davids' art collection raided by fraudster www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/e...
An offer to plead guilty to ABH charges is sent to the CPS on September 2
Six days later, it's the plea hearing in court
And the case is then adjourned for a week, because no one actively reads emails sent to that account
Efforts bringing defendant to court, lawyers & judge in court
Total waste
Six days later, it's the plea hearing in court
And the case is then adjourned for a week, because no one actively reads emails sent to that account
Efforts bringing defendant to court, lawyers & judge in court
Total waste
September 8, 2025 at 11:41 AM
An offer to plead guilty to ABH charges is sent to the CPS on September 2
Six days later, it's the plea hearing in court
And the case is then adjourned for a week, because no one actively reads emails sent to that account
Efforts bringing defendant to court, lawyers & judge in court
Total waste
Six days later, it's the plea hearing in court
And the case is then adjourned for a week, because no one actively reads emails sent to that account
Efforts bringing defendant to court, lawyers & judge in court
Total waste
Got an FOI back from the Ministry of Justice
It came with a curious addition - a couple of (irrelevant) lines from an MoJ press release
Either press officers are intervening in FOIs to insert quotes
Or the FOI team is doing it of their own volition
Neither option is good
It came with a curious addition - a couple of (irrelevant) lines from an MoJ press release
Either press officers are intervening in FOIs to insert quotes
Or the FOI team is doing it of their own volition
Neither option is good
September 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Got an FOI back from the Ministry of Justice
It came with a curious addition - a couple of (irrelevant) lines from an MoJ press release
Either press officers are intervening in FOIs to insert quotes
Or the FOI team is doing it of their own volition
Neither option is good
It came with a curious addition - a couple of (irrelevant) lines from an MoJ press release
Either press officers are intervening in FOIs to insert quotes
Or the FOI team is doing it of their own volition
Neither option is good
Comedy writer and activist Graham Linehan faces trial today over claims he harassed a trans activist online and broke a mobile phone during a confrontation
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/g...
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/g...
Graham Linehan faces trial over trans 'harassment' charge
Linehan denied harassing a trans activist and damaging a mobile phone in a women’s conference confrontation
www.standard.co.uk
September 4, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Comedy writer and activist Graham Linehan faces trial today over claims he harassed a trans activist online and broke a mobile phone during a confrontation
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/g...
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/g...