Vasilou, R. v [2000] EWCA Crim 3541 (04 February 2000)

Vasilou, R. v [2000] EWCA Crim 3541 (04 February 2000)

The conviction was unsafe due to the Crown's failure to disclose material information regarding prosecution witness convictions, which deprived the appellant and his advisers of information essential to trial strategy and cross-examination, creating a realistic prospect that the trial would have proceeded differently.

Citation
[2000] EWCA Crim 3541
Parties
Appellant: Mr Vasiliou; Respondent: The Crown
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
04 February 2000
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Conviction
Outcome
appeal allowed; conviction quashed; retrial ordered; bail refused
Legal Topics
Robbery, Disclosure of Criminal Records, Unsafe Conviction, Retrial, Bail Application

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Mr Vasiliou

Appellant

The Crown

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Conviction

  1. 1 Whether the failure by the Crown to disclose previous convictions of key prosecution witnesses rendered the conviction unsafe
  2. 2 Whether the appellant was prejudiced by the non-disclosure
  3. 3 Whether a retrial should be ordered

Ratio Decidendi

The conviction was unsafe due to the Crown's failure to disclose material information regarding prosecution witness convictions, which deprived the appellant and his advisers of information essential to trial strategy and cross-examination, creating a realistic prospect that the trial would have proceeded differently.

Court Disposition

appeal allowed; conviction quashed; retrial ordered; bail refused

Orders

  • conviction quashed
  • fresh indictment to be preferred within 14 days