Faraj, R v

Faraj, R v

The trial judge's directions failed to address the defence of honest but mistaken belief and conflated the requirements for lawful arrest and defence of property. This omission rendered the conviction unsafe, as the jury was not properly directed on the law regarding mistaken belief and the separate defences available.

Parties
Prosecution: R; Appellant: Shwan Faraj
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
04 May 2007
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Conviction From Crown Court
Outcome
Appeal allowed; conviction quashed
Legal Topics
False Imprisonment, Defence of Property, Mistaken Belief, Citizen's Arrest

Case Brief

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Parties

R

Prosecution

Shwan Faraj

Appellant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Conviction From Crown Court

  1. 1 Whether the trial judge erred in failing to direct the jury on the defence of mistaken belief in the context of false imprisonment
  2. 2 Whether the directions on lawful arrest and defence of property were adequate and correct

Ratio Decidendi

The trial judge's directions failed to address the defence of honest but mistaken belief and conflated the requirements for lawful arrest and defence of property. This omission rendered the conviction unsafe, as the jury was not properly directed on the law regarding mistaken belief and the separate defences available.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed; conviction quashed

Orders

  • Conviction quashed
  • If retrial occurs, directions to jury should be confined to defence of property