Crime and punishment
методическая разработка по английскому языку на тему

Below you see the story of an extraordinary case in British legal history. The affair started in 1949 and was finally closed in 1966.

At the moment, there are a number of gaps. Use the words below to complete it.

The story began when a man called Timothy Evans was ________for the murder of his wife and a baby. He was ____with double murder, but a short time later one of the charges was _____and he was _____ for the murder of his daughter only. During the _______ Evans accused the man whose house he had been living in, John Christie, of the crimes, but no attention was paid to him. The _____found Evans _____ and he was __________ to death. An _____ was turned down and he was _____ in 1950.

Some time later, more women’s bodies were discovered in Christie’s house: about six. John Christie was a police’s key ______and they started a nationwide _______ for him. He was soon_____. Alleged ______by Christie while he was in ______ cast doubt on the Evans hanging. When he went to ________, Christie __________ that he murdered Mrs Evans, but in private it was said that he ______to that crime. His ______of insanity with regard to other murders was rejected and he was ________of killing his wife.

Soon afterwards there was an _____into the_____of Timothy Evans. The ____decided that justice had been done and Evans had been rightly hanged. It was only in 1966that another _______was set up. This time it was decided that Evans had probably been _____and he was given a free ______. Better later than never, as they say.

THE KEY

The story began when a man called Timothy Evans was arrested for the murder of his wife and a baby. He was charged with double murder, but a short time later one of the charges was dropped and he was tried for the murder of his daughter only. During the trial Evans accused the man whose house he had been living in, John Christie, of the crimes, but no attention was paid to him. The jury found Evans guilty and he was sentenced to death. An appeal was turned down and he was executed in 1950.

Some time later, more women’s bodies were discovered in Christie’s house: about six. John Christie was a police’s key suspect and they started a nationwide hunt for him. He was soon apprehended. Alleged statements by Christie while he was in custody cast doubt on the Evans hanging. When he went to court, Christie denied that he murdered Mrs Evans, but in private it was said that he confessed to that crime. His plea of insanity with regard to other murders was rejected and he was convicted of killing his wife.

Soon afterwards there was an enquiry into the execution of Timothy Evans. The judges decided that justice had been done and Evans had been rightly hanged. It was only in 1966 that another enquiry was set up. This time it was decided that Evans had probably been innocent and he was given a free pardon. Better later than never, as they say.

felony

homicide (by misadventure, with malice, calculated…, )

manslaughter

smuggling = bootlegging

bigamy

baby- or wife-battering

assault

arson

embezzlement

fraud

forgery

counterfeit

piracy

accident fraud

swindling

perjury

abuse of power

disorderly conduct

speeding

mugging – robbery with violence

slander

treason

conspiracy

espionage – spying

drug peddling

larceny (gang larceny)

shoplifting

burglary

pick-pocketing

petty theft

hijacking

blackmail

kidnapping

sexual harassment

bribery and corruption

trespassing

terrorism

criminal attempt

Which of the above would or could involve the following?

1. counterfeit money
2. pornography
3. hostages
4. a ransom
5. heroin
6. betrayer
7. state secrets
8. contraband
9. a store detective
10. weapon

Match the names of different crimes:

1. taking a child away from his or her family
2. not paying taxes on goods from another country
3. getting money by promising not to tell the secret
4. selling cocaine
5. taking control of an airplane by force
6. taking goods from the shop without paying
7. going into a house and stealing
8. to be married more than one at the same time
9. take money and property from the company or state secretly
10. to get whatever from subordinates
11. shout and fight at night time
12. to put fake lables of famous brands on goods from China
13. to make documents look legal with the help of colour printer and scanner
14. to set private buildings and premises on fire
15. to lie at the trial

In the Court: defendant (offender), a witness, a jury, a judge, prosecutor, attorney

Quiz: Some points of law – English style.

Simply answer yes or no (the answers may be different in your country).

1. Is it a crime to try and kill yourself?
2. Is it illegal to help somebody to commit suicide?
3. Can you be executed for murdering a policeman?
4. If, after a murder, all the victim’s relatives plead: “Please, don’t prosecute!” can charges against the suspected culprit be dropped?
5. If two armed thieves break into a house, guns in hand, and one of them shoots and kills the house-owner is he guilty of murder?
6. If I catch an intruder in my house at night stealing my millions, do I have a legal right to assault him with a weapon?
7. If I set a trap – a fifty-kilo weight just above the front door – for any burglars who might try and enter the house, am I breaking the law?
8. After a divorce or legal separation, can a wife be required to pay alimony to her ex-husband?
9. If I promise to marry my girl-friend and then change my mind shortly before the wedding, can she take me to the court (can she sue my)?
10. Would I be in danger of committing an offence if I put an advertisement for my school in the paper saying : “Male white teacher is required”?
11. If as a defendant (accused), I am not satisfied with the way my attorney has handled my defense, can I sue him?  
12. Can a person suspected of and charged with rape be allowed bail?

Here is the story of a very unfortunate, irresponsible man called Mr. N.E. Body.

Imagine that he was stopped by the police at each and every point of the drama. Read about what happened and, after each piece of info you receive, decide what punishment he deserves. (death penalty, solitary confinement, put on probation, give community service, impose a fine or compensation, prison sentence, ban fro driving, dismiss the case, find him not guilty, acquit him, find the case not proved).

1. Mr. Body drank five pints of beer and five single whiskies in a pub, got into his car and drove away.
2. He didn’t drive dangerously but exceeded the speed limit as he wanted to catch up with a friend who had left his wallet in the pub.
3. As he was driving along, a little girl ran into the road and he knocked her down.
4. There was no way he could have stopped: drunk or sober.
5. The little girl suffered only bruises and some light superficial injuries.
6. Mr.Body’s wife had left him two days before.
7. Six months later, it was clear that the girl suffered from after-effects of the accident and would suffer for many years.
8. Mr. Body had never previously received any summons (привлечение к суду) for traffic offences.
9. The little girl admitted that it was all her fault.
10. The passenger in Mr.Body’s car was killed outright as he went trough the windscreen.

Discuss:

What – in detail – would happen to you in your country if you were caught:

1. speeding in your car?
2. speeding hijacked car?
3. with a gun in your pocket?
4. breaking into the house?