Goren, Mert
Mert Goren was convicted in March 2004 of conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs. Mr Goren received a sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment.
The CCRC received an application for review of the conviction in November 2006.
In October 2006, in granting leave to appeal to two of Mr Harrison’s co-defendants, the Court of Appeal ordered that all co-defendants be invited to join the appeal.
Mr Goren had previously abandoned his appeal and the Court of Appeal asked the CCRC to consider referring the case to enable him to join the appeal proceedings.
Mr Goren’s conviction had been the result of a major National Crime Squad operation.
Prior to trial, there had been a number of Public Interest Immunity (PII) hearings in which a recurring theme was a reassessment of material relating to a key informant.
During review, the CCRC found that there had been non-disclosure of sensitive informant contact sheets. This material had not been provided to either the defence or prosecution.
The CCRC concluded that the judge’s rulings on disclosure may have been different if he had been aware of this material.
The Crown decided not to resist the appeals and the CCRC referred the conviction in January 2007.
The Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in January 2007 and ordered a retrial.