Norman v Rex [2025] EWCA Crim 966 (29 July 2025)

Norman v Rex [2025] EWCA Crim 966 (29 July 2025)

The trial judge's directions wrongly prevented the jury from considering the appellant's challenge to the correctness of his previous convictions, contrary to section 74(3) PACE and binding authority, thereby rendering the convictions unsafe.

Citation
[2025] EWCA Crim 966
Parties
Appellant: Philip Norman; Respondent: Rex
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
29 July 2025
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Conviction After Retrial
Outcome
Appeal allowed; convictions quashed
Legal Topics
Sexual Offences, Bad Character Evidence, Previous Convictions, Jury Directions, Section 74 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
Criminal Law Sexual Offences Bad Character Evidence Previous Convictions Jury Directions Section 74 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Philip Norman

Appellant

Rex

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Conviction After Retrial

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the trial judge misdirected the jury regarding the use of previous convictions under section 74(3) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
  2. 2 Whether the appellant was entitled to challenge the correctness of previous convictions and have that issue left to the jury

Ratio Decidendi

The trial judge's directions wrongly prevented the jury from considering the appellant's challenge to the correctness of his previous convictions, contrary to section 74(3) PACE and binding authority, thereby rendering the convictions unsafe.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed; convictions quashed

Orders

  • The appellant's convictions on counts 1-5 are quashed.