Murphy v Director of Public Prosecutions

Murphy v Director of Public Prosecutions

The appeal was dismissed because the delay did not render a fair trial impossible, the defendant was not entitled to secondary disclosure of material not in the prosecution's possession, the breathalyser device was of an approved type, and there was no obligation to adduce the roadside test result.

Parties
Claimant: Gerard Murphy; Defendant: Director of Public Prosecutions
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 June 2006
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal (case Stated) / High Court Appeal From Magistrates' Court
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Abuse of Process, Disclosure Obligations, Type Approval of Breathalysers, Delay in Criminal Proceedings, Evidential Requirements for Breath Tests

Case Brief

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Parties

Gerard Murphy

Claimant

Director of Public Prosecutions

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal (case Stated) / High Court Appeal From Magistrates' Court

  1. 1 Whether proceedings should have been stayed for abuse of process due to delay
  2. 2 Whether the defendant was entitled to secondary disclosure of unused material
  3. 3 Whether the breathalyser device was of an approved type and had approved software

Ratio Decidendi

The appeal was dismissed because the delay did not render a fair trial impossible, the defendant was not entitled to secondary disclosure of material not in the prosecution's possession, the breathalyser device was of an approved type, and there was no obligation to adduce the roadside test result.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed