Fraser, Lloyd
Lloyd Fraser was convicted in November 1993 of possessing a controlled Class B drug with intent (cannabis and cannabis resin). Mr Fraser received a sentence of seven years’ imprisonment.
The CCRC received an application for review of the conviction in February 1998.
The case against Mr Fraser had rested on observation evidence from police officers.
The credibility and veracity of the officers was therefore central to the prosecution.
Mr Fraser maintained that a small quantity of cannabis found by police officers where Mr Fraser had been sitting in a police car had been planted.
Following review, the CCRC concluded that since the time of trial, one officer involved in Mr Fraser’s case had been found to have been corrupt, whilst a second officer had been “tainted” by close association.
This significantly damaged the credibility of their evidence and had it been known at Mr Fraser’s trial, might reasonably have affected the jury’s verdict.
The CCRC referred the conviction in July 2002.
The Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in October 2003.