Williams-Rigby & Anor, R v

Williams-Rigby & Anor, R v

Fresh evidence undermined the credibility of key complainants and could reasonably have affected the jury's decision to convict; use of Scene 22 document and unsafe prior convictions distorted the trial; convictions are unsafe and appeals must be allowed.

Parties
Prosecution: R; Appellant: Basil Anthony Williams-Rigby; Appellant: Michael James Lawson
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
14 March 2003
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal
Outcome
appeals allowed
Legal Topics
Sexual Offences, Fresh Evidence, Unsafe Conviction, Good Character Direction, Mutual Corroboration, Compensation Claims, Admissibility of Prior Convictions
Criminal Law Sexual Offences Fresh Evidence Unsafe Conviction Good Character Direction Mutual Corroboration Compensation Claims Admissibility of Prior Convictions

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Parties

R

Prosecution

Basil Anthony Williams-Rigby

Appellant

Michael James Lawson

Appellant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether fresh evidence renders convictions unsafe
  2. 2 Whether trial judge's directions on good character and mutual corroboration were adequate
  3. 3 Whether use of Scene 22 document and prior convictions distorted trial

Ratio Decidendi

Fresh evidence undermined the credibility of key complainants and could reasonably have affected the jury's decision to convict; use of Scene 22 document and unsafe prior convictions distorted the trial; convictions are unsafe and appeals must be allowed.

Court Disposition

appeals allowed

Orders

  • convictions quashed
  • no order for re-trial