Lawless, Stephen

Stephen Lawless pleaded not guilty to possession of heroin with intent to supply when he stood trial at Greater Grimsby Crown Court in October 2003.

Mr Lawless accepted that he was in possession of heroin but denied that he had supplied, or intended to supply, the drug to anyone else. He was convicted of possession with intent to supply and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.

He tried unsuccessfully to appeal against his sentence in 2004 but did not try to appeal against his conviction. He applied to the CCRC in November 2010

During review, the CCRC obtained new and sensitive information relating to the conduct of a police officer involved in the case. This material had not previously been considered in proceedings against Mr Lawless.

The CCRC concluded that there had been an abuse of process in the manner by which Mr Lawless was brought before the court and that there was a real possibility that Mr Lawless’ conviction would not be upheld.

The CCRC referred the conviction in June 2016.

The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction in December 2016.