According to local online magazine chad.co.uk, a Labour candidate who forged a signature on his nomination form in this year's Mansfield District Council elections has escaped with a fine. Vic Jennings, who stood in Warsop's Birklands ward in May, could have been jailed after admitting a charge of election fraud at Nottingham Magistrates' Court last Wednesday. But district judge Michael Wheeler spared him prison after he was told Jennings (53) had made every effort to discourage local people from voting for him when the issue came to light. Jennings was fined £400 with £75 costs and is automatically disqualified from standing for election for five years.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Election Fraudster Escapes Jail Term
According to local online magazine chad.co.uk, a Labour candidate who forged a signature on his nomination form in this year's Mansfield District Council elections has escaped with a fine. Vic Jennings, who stood in Warsop's Birklands ward in May, could have been jailed after admitting a charge of election fraud at Nottingham Magistrates' Court last Wednesday. But district judge Michael Wheeler spared him prison after he was told Jennings (53) had made every effort to discourage local people from voting for him when the issue came to light. Jennings was fined £400 with £75 costs and is automatically disqualified from standing for election for five years.
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A word about evidence. Most of what people think is material evidence of a criminal offence is in fact either hearsay evidence (asserted, but without any proof) or circumstantial evidence (suggests guilt but does not prove it). For an introduction to the subject of evidence, try: