Police name and shame to show public system works

Three criminals have been named and shamed by their mugshotsappearing on Staffordshire Police's website.

The trio have had their faces plastered on the internet page aspart of the force's Behind Bars initiative.

Officers have made the move so residents can see how justice isbeing done in their community.

The initiative publicises the results of certain cases whereadult offenders are sentenced at Stafford or Stoke-on-Trent crowncourts to at least six months in prison or a young offenders'institution.

Ben James, aged 21, from Tean, and Max Plant, aged 20, also fromTean, have been locked up after kicking a man during a group attack.

The pair left William Morton needing hospital treatment after theassault at The Master Potter pub, in Cheadle.

James was handed a 12-month prison sentence, while Plant willspend 12 months in a young offenders' institution.

Both were sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Robert Shaw, aged 22, from Marchington, was given a 10-monthprison sentence after causing affray in Uttoxeter Market Place, inJuly 2009.

Shaw was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court.

Behind Bars mugshots will stay online for a month from the date the offender is sentenced.

Not every offender jailed for six months or more will be featured- police say those chosen will depend on several factors includingthe possible implications for victims.

The website does not name any of the victims involved.

Officers say the scheme, launched last year, will reassure thepublic and increase confidence in the system.

They hope it will also encourage victims to report crime,persuade witnesses to speak out and discourage offenders.

Superintendent Juliet Prince, head of justice services forStaffordshire Police, said: "With our partners on the StaffordshireCriminal Justice Board, we are working hard to make local criminaljustice services more open, transparent and accountable.

"The scheme will allow people to see the photos and offencedetails of people who have been locked up, as well as where they arefrom and where they committed crimes."

Paul Gallagher, of Staffordshire Criminal Justice Board, added:"We have an action plan to improve public confidence in the justicesystem, and will only achieve this by giving the public a betterunderstanding of what is being done."