CCRC sends sex offence case back to the Court of Appeal 

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has referred a man’s sex offence convictions to the Court of Appeal because it has found that important evidence had not been disclosed at trial. 

Mr GS was convicted on 6 July 2018 at Cardiff Crown Court of four counts of indecency with a child. He received an extended sentence comprised of seven years’ imprisonment and an extended licence period of one year. This was increased on appeal to nine years’ imprisonment and an extended licence period of one year.  

On 12 July 2019, the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal against conviction. The CCRC received an application for review in April 2024.  

Following a detailed review, the CCRC has decided to refer the convictions to the Court of Appeal.  

There is a real possibility that the Court will find the new evidence admissible and that it has the potential to undermine the prosecution case and assist the defence. 

There is also a real possibility the Court will find that there had been material non-disclosure in respect of the new evidence, and that the failure to disclose the relevant material renders the conviction unsafe. 

[ENDS] 

Notes to Editors: 

1. This press release has been anonymised due to the nature of the convictions and safeguarding issues. Court-ordered reporting restrictions are in place. 

2. The CCRC is an independent body set up under the Criminal Appeal Act 1995. It is responsible for independently reviewing suspected and alleged miscarriages of criminal justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is based in Birmingham and is funded by the Ministry of Justice.     

3. There are currently nine Commissioners who bring to the CCRC considerable experience from a wide variety of backgrounds. Commissioners are appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Prime Minister in accordance with the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice.  

4. The CCRC usually receives around 1,500 applications for reviews (convictions and/or sentences) each year. Since starting work in 1997, the CCRC has referred around 3% of applications to the appeal courts.     

5. The CCRC considers whether, as a result of new evidence or argument, there is a real possibility that the conviction would not be upheld were a reference to be made. New evidence or argument is argument or evidence which has not been raised during the trial or on appeal.  Applicants should usually have appealed first. A case can be referred in the absence of new evidence or argument or an earlier appeal only if there are “exceptional circumstances”.       

6. If a case is referred, it is then for the appeal court to decide whether the conviction is unsafe.     

7. More details about the role and work of the Criminal Cases Review Commission can be found at www.ccrc.gov.uk. The CCRC can be found on X, Facebook, Instagram (@the_ccrc) and Linkedin.