Case of European Court of Human Rights, December 03, 2002 (case TAYLOR v. THE UNITED KINGDOM)

Appeal Nbr: 48864/99

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Case of European Court of Human Rights, December 03, 2002 (case TAYLOR v. THE UNITED KINGDOM)

SECOND SECTION

DECISION

AS TO THE ADMISSIBILITY OF

Application no. 48864/99

by Mark James TAYLOR

against the United Kingdom

The European Court of Human Rights, sitting on 3 December 2002 as a Chamber composed of

Mr J.-P. Costa, President,

Sir Nicolas Bratza,

Mr L. Loucaides,

Mr C. Bîrsan,

Mr K. Jungwiert,

Mr V. Butkevych,

Mrs W. Thomassen, judges,

and Mrs S. Dollé, Section Registrar,

Having regard to the above application lodged on 22 March 1999 and registered on 18 June 1999,

Having regard to the observations submitted by the respondent Government and the observations in reply submitted by the applicant,

Having deliberated, decides as follows:

THE FACTS

The applicant, Mark James Taylor, is a United Kingdom national, who was born in 1983 and lives in London. He is represented before the Court by Breeze, Benton & Co., Solicitors, London. The Government are represented by their Agent, Ms J. Foakes, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London.

A. The circumstances of the case

The facts of the case, as submitted by the parties, may be summarised as follows.

On 25 March 1997 the applicant along with another youth (C.) were arrested by the police for suspected involvement in offences relating to the theft of a ring and causing severe injuries to its owner, a boy aged 11. The victim was rendered unconscious as a result of the attack and had to be detained in hospital for three days. He was treated for multiple and extensive bruising to his face and head as well as to the rest of his body.

At the time of the commission of these offences, the applicant was aged 14 years and 24 days.

On 3 April 1997 the applicant, who had earlier been released on bail, was formally charged with the offence of robbery contrary to section 8 (1) of the Theft Act 1968. He was again released on bail and attended Stratford Youth Court for the first time on 7 May 1997. C. failed to attend and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

At the first hearing befo...

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