Murder and manslaughter charges under joint enterprise rise despite concern

Nearly 1,000 people charged in five years in England and Wales under doctrine that supreme court said had taken wrong turn'

The number of people facing murder and manslaughter charges despite not being the principal offender has risen significantly, amid official warnings about the use of joint enterprise laws.

Nearly 1,000 people have been charged and more than 600 convicted in the past five years in England and Wales even though they may not have been physically responsible or present at the crime scene.