Raja & Anor, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 948 (06 June 2025)

Raja & Anor, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 948 (06 June 2025)

Any misdirection regarding the evidential value of Raja's police interview was immaterial in light of overwhelming CCTV and expert evidence of dangerous driving; the judge's directions did not undermine the safety of the conviction. The sentence imposed on Idrak was not manifestly excessive nor wrong in principle, as the seriousness of the offending justified the sentence under the applicable guideline, and delay did not warrant a greater reduction.

Citation
[2025] EWCA Crim 948
Parties
Prosecution: Rex; Applicant/defendant: Waqqas Amin Raja; Applicant/defendant: Junaid Muhammad Idrak
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
06 June 2025
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Renewed Applications for Leave to Appeal Against Conviction (raja) and Sentence (idrak) After Single Judge Refusals
Outcome
Applications for leave to appeal refused
Legal Topics
Causing Death by Dangerous Driving, Causing Serious Injury by Dangerous Driving, Sentencing Guidelines, Jury Directions, Mixed Statements in Interview, Majority Verdicts, Delay in Sentencing
Criminal Law Appellate Procedure Causing Death by Dangerous Driving Causing Serious Injury by Dangerous Driving Sentencing Guidelines Jury Directions Mixed Statements in Interview Majority Verdicts +1 more

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Parties

Rex

Prosecution

Waqqas Amin Raja

Applicant/defendant

Junaid Muhammad Idrak

Applicant/defendant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Renewed Applications for Leave to Appeal Against Conviction (raja) and Sentence (idrak) After Single Judge Refusals

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the trial judge misdirected the jury regarding the evidential value of the defendant's police interview (mixed statement)
  2. 2 Whether the judge erred in allowing the jury to continue deliberations while the prosecution considered adding an alternative count
  3. 3 Whether the sentence imposed on Idrak was manifestly excessive or wrong in principle, particularly in light of delay and changes in sentencing guidelines

Ratio Decidendi

Any misdirection regarding the evidential value of Raja's police interview was immaterial in light of overwhelming CCTV and expert evidence of dangerous driving; the judge's directions did not undermine the safety of the conviction. The sentence imposed on Idrak was not manifestly excessive nor wrong in principle, as the seriousness of the offending justified the sentence under the applicable guideline, and delay did not warrant a greater reduction.

Court Disposition

Applications for leave to appeal refused