Taylor, John

John Taylor was convicted in August 1962 of larceny and received a sentence of five years’ imprisonment.

The CCRC inherited the application for review of the conviction from the Home Office in March 1997.

The CCRC found that Mr Taylor had been inadequately represented at his trial and the subsequent appeal. He was the only one of several defendants who was unrepresented by counsel after his solicitors withdrew at the last minute.

Mr Taylor was also not permitted to call a material witness who was within the precincts of the court and who was willing to testify on his behalf. The CCRC considered he should have been allowed to do so.

In addition, the CCRC obtained significant new affidavit evidence supporting Mr Taylor’s case. The CCRC referred the conviction in September 1997.

The Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in June 1998.