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England and Wales decisions
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Court of Appeal refused extensions of time, fresh evidence, and leave to appeal against conviction and sentence in a murder case.
Odunewu & Ors v R. [2026] EWCA Crim 444 (27 March 2026)
The Court of Appeal rejected conviction challenges over joinder, no-case submissions, jury directions and fresh psychiatric evidence, but reduced three sentences.
Thomas (Previously Edgington) v R. [2026] EWCA Crim 353 (25 March 2026)
The Court of Appeal refused fresh psychiatric evidence and dismissed Nicole Thomas’s appeal against her murder conviction, holding the trial verdict was safe.
The Court of Appeal refused fresh psychiatric evidence and dismissed a murder appeal, holding the new reports did not materially change the trial issues.
None of the proposed grounds of appeal are arguable; the applicant's criticisms are unparticularised, and the trial process was fair with proper directions given. There was no evidence to support diminished responsibility or procedural unfairness. The extension of time is granted, but leave to appeal is refused.
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The application for leave to appeal against conviction is refused because the fresh psychiatric evidence does not provide a sufficient basis to conclude that the applicant's mental state explains his actions in killing the victim, and the defence of diminished responsibility was not raised at trial. The court finds no exceptional circumstances to admit the fresh evidence or to undermine the safety of the conviction.
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The sentencing judge's refusal to adjourn for further psychiatric assessment was reasonable given the appellant's improved mental health and lack of current evidence of a disorder requiring hospital treatment. The finding of high retained culpability was justified by the appellant's actions before and during the offence. The sentence was neither wrong in principle nor manifestly excessive.
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Madaweni, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 1427 (23 October 2025)
The Court of Appeal refused leave to appeal against murder conviction, but directed a further hearing on sentence after psychiatric evidence was raised.
The minimum term of 17 years was not manifestly excessive given the statutory starting point, aggravating features, and the judge's substantial reduction for mitigation. All relevant mitigating factors were considered, and additional evidence did not materially affect the outcome. The judge's rejection of the applicant's account of rape was justified and did not warrant further reduction.
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The Court of Appeal upheld Louis de Zoysa’s murder conviction and whole life order for the killing of Police Sergeant Matthew Ratana, rejecting fitness, site visit and direction challenges.
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