HM Solicitor General v Stephen Yaxley-Lennon
[2024] EWHC 2732 (KB)
The Chief Constable of Kent Police & Anor v Daryll Sturgess Taylor
14 March 2024
[2024] EWHC 813 (KB)
High Court
A man ignored a court order twice. The court said this was serious because it disrespected the law and put a child at risk. He was sent to prison for six months, in addition to any other sentence he was already serving.
Key Facts
- •Mr. Taylor failed to comply with two mandatory injunctions from Saini J's orders.
- •The injunctions required Mr. Taylor to provide an affidavit and submit his media devices for inspection to ensure deletion of police videos.
- •Mr. Taylor's non-compliance was deliberate and defiant.
- •The case involved confidential information relating to a vulnerable minor.
- •Mr. Taylor cited lack of legal advice and anger as reasons for non-compliance.
Legal Principles
Approach to sentencing for contempt of court, considering culpability, harm, and mitigating factors.
Attorney General v Crosland [2021] UKSC 15, [2021] 4 WLR 103; Liverpool Victoria Insurance v Zafar [2019] EWCA Civ 392; Deutsche Bank v Sebastian Holdings [2022] EWHC 2057 (Comm); Crystal Mews v Metterick & Ors [2006] EWHC 3087 (Ch); Hale v Tanner [2000] 1 WLR 2377
Breach of court order is serious as it undermines the administration of justice.
Deutsche Bank v Sebastian Holdings [2022] EWHC 2057 (Comm)
Outcomes
Mr. Taylor found guilty of contempt of court.
Deliberate and defiant failure to comply with clear and unambiguous court orders.
Sentence of 6 months' imprisonment.
High culpability, serious harm to the administration of justice and risk to confidential information, lack of mitigating factors.
Sentence to be served consecutively to an existing sentence.
Persistent defiance of court orders.