Mpelenda & Anor, R v

Mpelenda & Anor, R v

The integrity of the jury's deliberations was undermined by extraneous internet research, leading to a real risk of unfairness and misunderstanding of the law of joint enterprise, rendering the convictions unsafe.

Parties
Appellant: Christopher Mpelenda; Appellant: Maxwell Antwi; Respondent: Crown
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
05 May 2011
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Conviction
Outcome
appeal allowed, convictions quashed, retrial ordered
Legal Topics
Jury Deliberations, Joint Enterprise, Unsafe Conviction, Internet Research by Jurors
Criminal Law Jury Deliberations Joint Enterprise Unsafe Conviction Internet Research by Jurors

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 3 Authorities cited 7 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Christopher Mpelenda

Appellant

Maxwell Antwi

Appellant

Crown

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Conviction

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether jury deliberations were improperly affected by extraneous internet research
  2. 2 Whether the convictions are unsafe due to contamination of jury deliberations

Ratio Decidendi

The integrity of the jury's deliberations was undermined by extraneous internet research, leading to a real risk of unfairness and misunderstanding of the law of joint enterprise, rendering the convictions unsafe.

Court Disposition

appeal allowed, convictions quashed, retrial ordered

Orders

  • Fresh indictment to be served by 10.30am on 6 May
  • Appellants to be produced at Snaresbrook Crown Court for retrial