DL v R.

DL v R.

The trial judge's failure to specifically direct the jury on reasonable excuse did not render the verdict unsafe because the direction on culpability and abuse of public trust sufficiently covered the issue. The evidence linking the concealed property to criminal activity was admissible and compelling. Alleged factual errors in summing up did not affect the safety of the verdict.

Parties
Appellant: DL; Respondent: The Queen
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
18 May 2011
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Misconduct in Public Office, Concealing Criminal Property, Reasonable Excuse, Culpability, Admissibility of Evidence

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 9 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 6
Sign in to unlock

Parties

DL

Appellant

The Queen

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal

  1. 1 Whether the trial judge erred in failing to leave the defence of reasonable excuse to the jury for the offence of wilful misconduct in public office
  2. 2 Whether the conviction for concealing criminal property was unsafe due to the admissibility of evidence linking the property to criminal activity
  3. 3 Whether factual errors in the judge's summing up rendered the verdict unsafe

Ratio Decidendi

The trial judge's failure to specifically direct the jury on reasonable excuse did not render the verdict unsafe because the direction on culpability and abuse of public trust sufficiently covered the issue. The evidence linking the concealed property to criminal activity was admissible and compelling. Alleged factual errors in summing up did not affect the safety of the verdict.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed