More charges?

[gester108]

My partner was at magistrates court for committal to Crown over a charge of ABH, now 2 weeks before his plea entry at crown the prosecution have just landed another charge of false imprisonment on him, is it possible they can do this when they agreed to drop this charge before committal? I think personally they are trying to use it as a plea bargain but i just need to know if they can introduce a new charge without notice or evidence
thanks for any repies

[jno]

they won't get very far with it if they've got no evidence.

[New Judge]

No they won't.

But they clearly have evidence or the charge would not have been authorised. The evidence they have must be served on your partner with time enough for it to be considered before a plea is entered. There is nothing to prevent further charges being added before the proceedings commence.

[dh001]

gester108, There obviously is evidence of false imprisonment for the charge to have been added to the indictment, whether there is sufficient 'admissible evidence' for a conviction is a different matter.

You say the charge was added without notice, yet your partner is aware before the plea hearing.

This is a perfectly lawful and common process.