Mr CX

Mr CX was convicted in February 1999 of rape, attempted rape, and gross indecency with a child. Mr CX received a sentence of eight years’ imprisonment.

The CCRC received an application for review of the conviction in November 2008.

At trial, expert medical evidence had been central to the prosecution case.

Subsequent to the trial, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health released a new evidence-based report which found that some of the medical findings which had been traditionally considered consistent with abuse were no longer regarded as such.

Consequently, a number of medical findings previously considered as significant were now regarded as neutral.

In this case, the CCRC obtained fresh expert medical evidence indicating that the medical observations provided at trial which were said to have been consistent with abuse could no longer be said to be indicative of sexual abuse.

The CCRC considered that this new evidence undermined the medical evidence presented at trial and that had the jury been presented with the medical position as it was now understood, they may not have come to the same verdict.

The CCRC referred the conviction in February 2010.

The Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in December 2010.