Mr M

Mr M, who was minor at the time of conviction, pleaded not guilty but was convicted at Youth Court in August 2015 on two counts of sexual offences against another minor. Mr M was sentenced to a youth rehabilitation order and a five-year sexual harm prevention order.

Mr M tried to appeal against the conviction but was unsuccessful. They applied to the CCRC for a review of their conviction in October 2016.

During review, the CCRC obtained new expert scientific evidence which offered a possible alternative explanation for the forensic findings presented at trial.

In light of the apparent reliance placed on the forensic findings at trial, the CCRC considered that on a rehearing of the case there was a real possibility the Crown Court would reach a different verdict to that reached by the Youth Court.

The CCRC referred the conviction in October 2019.

The Crown Court quashed the conviction in May 2020.