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Lavinia Woodward judge complaints dismissed by watchdog | Lavinia Woodward judge complaints dismissed by watchdog |
(2 days later) | |
A judicial watchdog has dismissed complaints against a judge who spared an Oxford University student from jail after she stabbed her boyfriend. | A judicial watchdog has dismissed complaints against a judge who spared an Oxford University student from jail after she stabbed her boyfriend. |
Ian Pringle QC gave Lavinia Woodward a suspended sentence for attacking her then partner in a drunken assault. | Ian Pringle QC gave Lavinia Woodward a suspended sentence for attacking her then partner in a drunken assault. |
At an earlier hearing the judge said he believed a custodial sentence would damage the 24-year-old's career. | At an earlier hearing the judge said he believed a custodial sentence would damage the 24-year-old's career. |
The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) said it had rejected three complaints against the judge. | The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) said it had rejected three complaints against the judge. |
The complaints were in connection with Woodward's case that concluded at Oxford Crown Court on 25 September. | The complaints were in connection with Woodward's case that concluded at Oxford Crown Court on 25 September. |
A spokesman for the JCIO said: "The complaints were rejected because they related to an independent judicial decision and not conduct." | A spokesman for the JCIO said: "The complaints were rejected because they related to an independent judicial decision and not conduct." |
According to its website, the watchdog can "only deal with complaints about a judicial office-holder's personal conduct - it cannot deal with complaints about judicial decisions or about case management". | According to its website, the watchdog can "only deal with complaints about a judicial office-holder's personal conduct - it cannot deal with complaints about judicial decisions or about case management". |
Medical student Woodward had admitted the drunken attack in December at her student accommodation at Christ Church college. | |
Oxford Crown Court heard she was later admitted to a clinic for treatment for addictions to Class A drugs and alcohol, and an eating disorder. | Oxford Crown Court heard she was later admitted to a clinic for treatment for addictions to Class A drugs and alcohol, and an eating disorder. |
On Monday she was given a 10-month jail sentence suspended for 18 months for inflicting unlawful wounding. | On Monday she was given a 10-month jail sentence suspended for 18 months for inflicting unlawful wounding. |
The case was the subject of huge debate about inequality in the criminal justice system, prompted by the judge deferring sentencing and describing the attack as "a complete one-off". | The case was the subject of huge debate about inequality in the criminal justice system, prompted by the judge deferring sentencing and describing the attack as "a complete one-off". |
He had described Woodward as "an extraordinary able young lady" and said a custodial sentence would damage her hopes of becoming a surgeon. | He had described Woodward as "an extraordinary able young lady" and said a custodial sentence would damage her hopes of becoming a surgeon. |
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