Janner must attend hearing

"The former Labour peer Lord Janner must attend a preliminary hearing on child abuse charges despite his severe dementia, a magistrate has ruled. Chief magistrate Howard Riddle said Janner was fit to appear even if he could become confused..."

"Janner, 87, faces a trial of the facts over 22 child sex offences allegedly committed in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. As Greville Janner, he was an MP for Leicester for 27 years. He denies any wrongdoing and his family says he is innocent..."

"The case comes after a review overturned a Crown Prosecution Service decision not to bring charges because of his dementia. Janner is likely to be sent to the crown court, which will decide whether he is fit to plead and face a trial..."

"In April, the director of public prosecutions, Alison Saunders, decided it was not in the public interest for Janner to face a criminal trial on alleged abuse involving nine children because of his severe dementia."

"However, six of the alleged victims asked an independent QC to examine her ruling under the CPS’s victims’ right to review scheme."

"If a crown court judge decides Janner is fit to plead, a full trial may take place. If not, there will be a trial of the facts, where a jury will decide only if he committed the physical acts of abuse."

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/aug/07/lord-janner-fails-to-appear-in-court-for-hearing-on-child-abuse-charges