UK: First Televised Court Hearing Makes History

The first televised hearing from an English court has been broadcast

Court of Appeal judges have rejected a request to reduce a prison sentence in the first televised English court proceedings.

Convicted counterfeiter Kevin Fisher – the ringleader of a three-man gang that created hundreds of thousands of fake £1 coins – had applied for leave to appeal against his sentence of seven years.

His legal counsel was Alexander Cameron QC, brother of Prime Minister David Cameron, who made a number of legal points in favour of reducing the length of the sentence.

However Lord Justice Pitchford rejected the request.

The broadcast itself was a moment of legal and broadcasting history, as Sky News’ cameras filmed inside the Royal Courts of Justice for the first time.

Alexander Cameron QC, brother of the Prime Minister

Cameras have been banned from courts in England and Wales since 1925.

The rules in Scottish courts are different and earlier this year cameras were allowed to film a murder trial – but only with the permission of all the participants, including the defendant.

Sky News and other broadcasters have been campaigning for a decade for cameras to be allowed to show all trials.

After prolonged negotiations, the Government and the judiciary have agreed to allow cameras inside certain courtrooms.

Sky News correspondent Ian Woods said: “It wasn’t the significance of the case which was of interest, it was the novelty factor of being able to broadcast live.

“However, in the days and months ahead there will be high profile cases which are dealt with at the court of appeal which are on far more newsworthy cases which we will broadcast live and I hope that it offers some insight into the way the judicial system works.”

Legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg said: “It was a fascinating glimpse for everybody of what we can see just by going into the Royal Courts of Justice.”

He added that the defendant – who was not in court – may have first heard the news that his appeal had been rejected by watching Sky News.

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