Mr CW

Mr CW was convicted in June 2002 of indecent assault, rape, incest, buggery, and attempted rape. Mr CW received a sentence of 12 years’ imprisonment and was required to register on the sex offenders’ register.

The CCRC received an application for review of the conviction in February 2007.

The convictions related to historic allegations of sexual abuse.

During review, the CCRC obtained fresh evidence from the Social Services files of the complainants.

This evidence was relevant to the key issues at trial but had not been disclosed.

This material could have been used in cross-examination of the complainants and was capable of undermining the prosecution and assisting the defence.

The CCRC considered that had the new evidence been deployed at trial, it might have led the jury to reach a different verdict.

Consequently, there was a real possibility the Court of Appeal would find the conviction unsafe.

The CCRC referred the conviction in February 2010.

The Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in October 2010.