2 Jun 2023
The Court dismissed the appeal: the trial directions (including use of 'honestly') were not materially erroneous when read in context, isolated misstatements did not mislead the jury, prejudice and sympathy directions adequately cautioned the jury about post-offence conduct, and the post-mortem photograph was probative and its prejudicial effect was managed by directions; no miscarriage of justice was shown.
23 Feb 2018
Application for leave to appeal dismissed because there was no appearance of a miscarriage of justice nor a sufficiently strong question of public or general importance to justify judicial creation of a partial defence of excessive defence of another; trial judge properly addressed publicity and summing up issues and the applicant's prospects of changing the law by appeal were negligible.
21 Sept 2017
Even assuming the prosecutor overstepped or there was a s 32 breach, there was no material risk of miscarriage: the prosecutor's comment was passing and any potential adverse inference was overwhelmed by the violent, repeated blows indicating murderous intent and by the applicant's demonstrable untruths; the Court of Appeal's conclusion was correct and leave is refused.