This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/7754322.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| 'Ugly' barrister wins court case | 'Ugly' barrister wins court case |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A barrister's detailed account of childhood abuse at the hands of her mother was not libellous, a court in London has ruled. | A barrister's detailed account of childhood abuse at the hands of her mother was not libellous, a court in London has ruled. |
| Constance Briscoe, 51, wrote in her 2006 book Ugly that she was punched, kicked and beaten by her mother. | Constance Briscoe, 51, wrote in her 2006 book Ugly that she was punched, kicked and beaten by her mother. |
| Her mother, Carmen Briscoe-Mitchell, 74, from Southwark, south-east London, sued Ms Briscoe and her publishers, saying the allegations were "nonsense". | Her mother, Carmen Briscoe-Mitchell, 74, from Southwark, south-east London, sued Ms Briscoe and her publishers, saying the allegations were "nonsense". |
| Constance Briscoe burst into tears when the unanimous verdict was read out. | Constance Briscoe burst into tears when the unanimous verdict was read out. |
| Ms Briscoe said: "I am very happy with the jury's verdict. | Ms Briscoe said: "I am very happy with the jury's verdict. |
| Sadly, as we know from the news over the past few weeks, child abuse is all too common and nothing and no one should ever stand in the way of the truth Publishers Hodder & Stoughton "It is sad that my mother still feels the need to pursue me. Now I just want to get on with my career," she said after the verdict at London's High Court. | |
| Ms Briscoe took a moment to thank her readers, whom she said had sent her messages of support throughout the trial. | Ms Briscoe took a moment to thank her readers, whom she said had sent her messages of support throughout the trial. |
| "I can quite understand why my family went into collective denial but whilst child abuse may be committed behind closed doors it should never be swept under the carpet." | "I can quite understand why my family went into collective denial but whilst child abuse may be committed behind closed doors it should never be swept under the carpet." |
| Mrs Briscoe-Mitchell, who also sued publisher Hodder & Stoughton, told the court during the trial that her daughter's book amounted to "lies" and the pair had a loving relationship. | Mrs Briscoe-Mitchell, who also sued publisher Hodder & Stoughton, told the court during the trial that her daughter's book amounted to "lies" and the pair had a loving relationship. |
| She left court without commenting on the verdict. | |
| In a statement, the publishers said they were proud of Ms Briscoe and added that recent stories of horrific child abuse have served as a reminder of the need for openness. | In a statement, the publishers said they were proud of Ms Briscoe and added that recent stories of horrific child abuse have served as a reminder of the need for openness. |
| "Sadly, as we know from the news over the past few weeks, child abuse is all too common and nothing and no one should ever stand in the way of the truth." | "Sadly, as we know from the news over the past few weeks, child abuse is all too common and nothing and no one should ever stand in the way of the truth." |
| 'Substantially true' | 'Substantially true' |
| Ms Briscoe vigorously defended the memoir as "substantially true". | Ms Briscoe vigorously defended the memoir as "substantially true". |
| Mrs Briscoe-Mitchell, a mother of 11, maintained throughout the two-week hearing that she worked hard to raise her family, often without their father, working as a dressmaker. | Mrs Briscoe-Mitchell, a mother of 11, maintained throughout the two-week hearing that she worked hard to raise her family, often without their father, working as a dressmaker. |
| Her counsel told the jury Ms Briscoe's siblings would support their mother's assertion that she provided for her children as best she could and treated them equally. | Her counsel told the jury Ms Briscoe's siblings would support their mother's assertion that she provided for her children as best she could and treated them equally. |
| But Ms Briscoe's counsel, Andrew Caldecott, cross-examined Mrs Briscoe-Mitchell on her position that she did not abuse any of her children. | But Ms Briscoe's counsel, Andrew Caldecott, cross-examined Mrs Briscoe-Mitchell on her position that she did not abuse any of her children. |
| Mr Caldecott presented the court with documents from Southwark borough's social services department outlining allegations made in connection with her then 14-year-old son, Carlton. | Mr Caldecott presented the court with documents from Southwark borough's social services department outlining allegations made in connection with her then 14-year-old son, Carlton. |
| A social services letter stated that she had locked him in a room and threatened to strip him naked and beat him. | A social services letter stated that she had locked him in a room and threatened to strip him naked and beat him. |
| Mrs Briscoe-Mitchell denied the allegations. | Mrs Briscoe-Mitchell denied the allegations. |
| Ms Briscoe, one of Britain's first black female judges, published Ugly in 2006, followed by a second volume, Beyond Ugly. | Ms Briscoe, one of Britain's first black female judges, published Ugly in 2006, followed by a second volume, Beyond Ugly. |