Kembaraxtra-Case Law- Criminal Law: Conspiracy to Corrupt Public Morals

1. Key Case: Shaw v DPP (1962) HL

1.1 Facts

• Defendant (D): Published a "Ladies Directory."
• Content: Listed names and addresses of prostitutes along with services offered.

1.2 Holding

• Guilty of: Conspiracy to corrupt public morals.

1.3 Key Issue

• Lord Reid (dissenting): Questioned how a conspiracy to advertise prostitution could be an indictable offense, given that the mere appearance of a prostitute in public is not a criminal offense under common law.

2. Important Clarification

2.1 Status of Offence

• This common law offense of conspiracy to corrupt public morals is not replaced by statute.
• Reference: Section 5(3) of the Criminal Law Act 1977.