REGINA v THOMAS BRIAN WILLIAMS (DECEASED)

REGINA v THOMAS BRIAN WILLIAMS (DECEASED)

The non-disclosure and destruction of original witness statements, which could have affected the fairness of the trial and the jury's assessment of credibility, rendered the conviction unsafe by modern standards.

Parties
Appellant: Thomas Brian Williams (deceased); Respondent: Regina
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
17 February 2022
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal After Referral by Criminal Cases Review Commission
Outcome
appeal allowed; convictions quashed
Legal Topics
Disclosure Obligations, Fair Trial, Unsafe Conviction, Historic Appeals
Criminal Law Disclosure Obligations Fair Trial Unsafe Conviction Historic Appeals

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Thomas Brian Williams (deceased)

Appellant

Regina

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal After Referral by Criminal Cases Review Commission

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether non-disclosure and destruction of original witness statements rendered the trial unfair and conviction unsafe
  2. 2 Whether the appeal should be allowed in light of the Warren decision

Ratio Decidendi

The non-disclosure and destruction of original witness statements, which could have affected the fairness of the trial and the jury's assessment of credibility, rendered the conviction unsafe by modern standards.

Court Disposition

appeal allowed; convictions quashed

Orders

  • Convictions quashed