Mr U

Mr U was convicted in March 1982 of indecent assault and received a two year supervision order.

The CCRC received an application for review of the conviction in March 2001.

The prosecution’s case had rested heavily on a confession statement.

Following review, the CCRC found that the circumstances of Mr U’s police interview in which he made the confession were in breach of the Judges’ Rules relating to the questioning of juveniles, as was his detention in custody.

The CCRC considered that the speed with which Mr U appeared in court and pleaded guilty indicated that he had little understanding of the process and and of his plea, rendering his confession unreliable.

There was also significant evidence indicating that Mr U did not commit the offence.

The CCRC referred the conviction in February 2002.

The Crown Court quashed the conviction in October 2002.