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Convictions referred following new information

Published:

A man’s murder and firearms convictions have been referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).   

Lee Calvert was convicted of murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life following a trial at Bradford Crown Court in 2014.   

He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 36 years, which was later reduced to 32 years on appeal.  

Following an investigation, the CCRC has decided to refer the case for a fresh appeal on the basis of new evidence. 

[Ends]  

Notes to editors  

  1. Mr Calvert was represented in his application to the CCRC by Charter Solicitors.  
  2. The CCRC cannot publicise operational detail about investigations and is bound by legal limitation on what we can share publicly from our case reviews (see section 23 of Criminal Appeal Act 1995).  
  3. 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.  
  4. There are currently 11 Commissioners who bring to the CCRC considerable experience from a wide variety of backgrounds. Commissioners are appointed by the King on the recommendation of the Prime Minister in accordance with the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice.  
  5. The CCRC usually receives around 1,400 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.  
  6. 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”.  
  7. If a case is referred, it is then for the appeal court to decide whether the conviction is unsafe or the sentence unfair.  
  8. 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 Twitter @ccrcupdate and Instagram the_ccrc