Mock slave auction: no charges brought

Incident at Bath school treated as hate crime but no teenagers will face prosecution

Police have concluded their investigation into a ‘mock slave auction’ at a Bath school and have determined no criminal charges will be brought. Seven white teenagers and a black boy from the same year were on a lunch break together when the group of friends held a ‘mock slave auction’ on school grounds on January 22. At the time it was understood the black boy grew upset after the white boys chained him to a lamppost, whipped him with thin branches, and called him extreme racially offensive names. A spokesman for the police said all seven youths admitted their involvement in the incident which has been treated as a hate crime, but none of them would be charged with a criminal offence. Instead, two of them agreed to participate in “community resolution”, a form of restorative justice led by the victim that does not result in a criminal record. Had the two youths not accepted this alternative, one of them would have been prosecuted. The boys knew this when making their decision, a police spokesman said. The victim’s family were consulted about this course of action and their wishes were taken into account, the spokesman said. Avon and Somerset Police told the Chronicle “Every aspect of the incident has been taken into account, including the wishes of the victim’s family, and as a result two boys will be subject to a community resolution process for their part in the offence.” The police spokesman said: “Community resolutions are a powerful tool focusing on reparation and are considered to be the most appropriate outcome in this case. “We take hate crime extremely seriously and recognise the devastating impact it can have on victims and their lives. “There’s no room for this type of crime in Avon and Somerset and we’ll continue to work with our partner agencies and communities to stamp out offences motivated by prejudice or hate.” The Crown Prosecution Service which decides whether criminal charges can be brought following a police investigation found there was enough evidence to charge only one of the seven youths with an offence. That youth was given an “outof-court disposal order”, enabling justice to take place outside the court system. The police spokesman confirmed as well as liaising with the CPS they also worked with other partner agencies, including SARI (Stand Against Racism and Inequality), as well as the victim and his family. The spokesman went on to add: “All youths admitted to being present at the incident as well as their roles during this incident to varying degrees. “Having reviewed all the evidence, CPS and police felt community resolution (CR) was the most appropriate outcome for two of the group. CR has to be accepted by those taking part and if not accepted the CPS were only willing to charge one youth. However, this was explained and CR was accepted by both youths. “By law, criminalising youths must be deferred when it is felt rehabilitation would better serve, and both CPS and police agreed rehabilitation through the community resolution process was the most appropriate outcome for this incident.” The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed one youth admitted his involvement in the incident and was given an out-of-court disposal order. They added: “The evidence was considered in accordance with the code for Crown prosecutors and the CPS concluded there was insufficient evidence to prosecute the remaining six youths. “The CPS, through the police, has liaised with the victim’s family and they have been consulted prior to the decision being made.” The school, which we have not named to protect the victim’s identity, has been asked for comment.