Downing, Stephen

Stephen Downing was convicted in February 1974 of murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The CCRC received an application for review of the conviction in July 1999.

A CCRC investigation revealed significant deficiencies in the expert forensic evidence presented at trial regarding a pattern of blood staining which had been found on Mr Downing’s clothing.

In addition, the CCRC concluded that there had been a serious breach of the Judges’ Rules.

A confession statement had formed the lynchpin of the prosecution case. This had been obtained after eight hours of police interview.

However, Mr Downing had not been cautioned during this time on the grounds that he was being interviewed as a witness and not as a suspect, and he was also denied access to a solicitor.

Mr Downing retracted his confession shortly after it was made.

The CCRC referred the conviction in November 2000.

The Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in January 2002.