Young, Martin

Martin Young was convicted in July 1986 of criminal damage and possessing articles with intent to destroy or damage property. Mr Young received a sentence of two years’ imprisonment with 12 months suspended.

The CCRC received an application for review of the conviction in July 2000.

Following review, the CCRC concluded that the trial judge had misdirected the jury on the defence of self-defence in relation to one of the charges.

In addition, the CCRC considered that there were a number of matters arising from the police investigation which, had they been developed at trial, would have provided the basis for an application to have the proceedings stayed as an abuse of process.

These included the withholding of a solicitor at interview, the failure of the police to investigate a complaint by Mr Young that a police officer was going to fabricate evidence, and the failure of the police to make a proper enquiry as to the credibility of a witness’ identification evidence.

The CCRC referred the conviction in June 2004.

The Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in April 2005.