Coates, R v Rev 1

Coates, R v Rev 1

The conviction was unsafe because it was based on a statement disavowed by the complainant, whose oral testimony was rejected as unreliable, and the directions to the Board were inadequate given the unusual circumstances and forensic difficulties.

Parties
Prosecution: R; Appellant: Phillip Coates
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
22 June 2007
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal Against Conviction
Outcome
conviction quashed
Legal Topics
Rape, Admissibility of Evidence, Fair Trial, Abuse of Process, Reliability of Witness Statements
Criminal Law Rape Admissibility of Evidence Fair Trial Abuse of Process Reliability of Witness Statements

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 2 Authorities cited 2 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

R

Prosecution

Phillip Coates

Appellant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal Against Conviction

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the conviction for rape was safe given the complainant's inconsistent statements and unreliable testimony
  2. 2 Whether the first statement was admissible evidence sufficient to form the basis for conviction
  3. 3 Whether the directions given to the Board were adequate in light of the unusual circumstances

Ratio Decidendi

The conviction was unsafe because it was based on a statement disavowed by the complainant, whose oral testimony was rejected as unreliable, and the directions to the Board were inadequate given the unusual circumstances and forensic difficulties.

Court Disposition

conviction quashed

Orders

  • conviction for rape quashed