Shaw v. Director of Public Prosecutions
House of Lords
[1961] 2 All E.R. 446
Relevant factsFree
After a new statute barred street solicitation, Shaw (defendant) published a magazine directory advertising prostitutes' services, and was convicted of conspiracy to corrupt public morals among other charges; he argued no such offense existed absent a specific statute or precedent.
IssueFree
Whether a court may impose punishment upon a defendant for conspiracy to corrupt public morals under British criminal common law despite a lack of precedent or statute.