Iredale, Philip

Philip Iredale was convicted in May 2000 of unlawful wounding and received a compensation order for £1,500. Mr Iredale also received 180 hours’ community service.

The CCRC received an application for review of the conviction in August 2003.

Mr Iredale had struck the complainant with a pick-axe handle when the complainant had come to Mr Iredale’s house to discuss repayment of borrowed money.

At trial, the prosecution argued the blow was struck on the doorstep, in an unprovoked assault. The defence responded that it was struck in self-defence inside the house after the complainant had started advancing into the house in a threatening manner.

The judge had directed the jury that in deciding where the blow was struck, they might find the “fact” that there was no blood inside the house significant.

The judge further directed that if the complainant had, or might have, entered the house, they must acquit as the prosecution would have failed to make its case.

During review, the CCRC obtained new evidence consisting of an album of police photographs.

One photograph appeared to show blood on the floor of Mr Iredale’s hallway. These photographs had not been disclosed to the defence.

The CCRC concluded that this was material new evidence on a significant point on which the jury had been misled at trial.

The CCRC referred the conviction in October 2004.

The Court of appeal quashed the conviction in March 2006.