Press releases
Comment piece by CCRC Chair Richard Foster – written at request of Daily Mail on 22 December 2017, but unused.
The right to a fair trial is at the heart of our justice system and is a cornerstone of our democracy. In the 1980s this right was breached, leading to shocking miscarriages of justice such as the Birmingham Six and Guildford Four. The police failed in their fundamental duty of honesty. That is why … Read more >
CCRC statement on the quashing of Stephen Simmons’ convcition
Here is a brief statement from CCRC about the decision of the Court of Appeal today to quash Stephen Simmons’ conviction. We are pleased for Mr Simmons and pleased to have been able to help him. Criminal cases tend to be very fact specific and it is often difficult to draw conclusions about one case on the … Read more >
Commission refers the sexual offences conviction of Z to the Court of Appeal on grounds of non-disclosure
The Criminal Cases Review Commission has referred the sexual offences conviction of Mr Z to the Crown Court. Mr Z appeared at Lewes Crown Court in April 2007 charged with causing a child to watch a sexual act (pornography) contrary to section 12(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and with sexual activity with a … Read more >
Commission statement on the 2017 application of Michael Stone
The case of Michael Stone is currently under active investigation at the Criminal Cases Review Commission and we are looking into a number of issues. We received the application from Mr Stone’s legal representatives on 23 August 2017. Since then we have taken steps to secure information and materials relating to the investigation and prosecution … Read more >
Commission statement on the non-referral of the convictions of Jonathan Beere, Scott Birtwistle, Jamie Green, Daniel Payne and Zoran Dresic
The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has concluded it cannot refer for appeal the drug smuggling convictions of Jonathan Beere, Scott Birtwistle, Jamie Green, Daniel Payne and Zoran Dresic. The men were tried together at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court on charges of conspiring to import 255 kilogrammes of cocaine. On 2 June 2011 all five were … Read more >
Commission refers the IPP sentence of Aiden Maund to the Court of Appeal
The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has referred the sentence of Aiden Maund to the Court of Appeal. Mr Maund, along with five co-defendants, was charged with conspiracy to rob in relation to three robberies which took place between the end of April and the middle of May 2010. He pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court … Read more >
CCRC Statement on the Randox Situation
The CCRC has made sure that it is fully informed of developments in the Randox situation. Since the issues first emerged we have been liaising with both the Crown Prosecution Service and the Forensic Science Regulator. We have remained alive to the fact that there could be a significant number of cases, of varying types, where the reliability … Read more >
Commission statement on its review of the 1963 conviction of Dr Stephen Ward (deceased)
The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has recently sent a document to the representatives of Dr Stephen Ward (deceased) explaining why it will not be referring for appeal Dr Ward’s 1963 conviction for living on the earnings of prostitution. The proceedings at which Dr Ward was convicted arose out of the infamous Profumo Affair. Dr … Read more >
Five new Commissioners appointed to the Criminal Cases Review Commission
Five new Commissioners have been appointed to the Criminal Cases Review Commission. CCRC Chair Richard Foster said: “I am delighted with these new appointments which are excellent news for the CCRC. They will add to the mix of skills and experience here and further strengthen the decision making function at the Commission.” The new Commissioners … Read more >
Commission refers the theft conviction of Stephen Simmons to the Court of Appeal
The Criminal Cases Review Commission has referred the theft conviction of Stephen Lawrence Simmons to the Court of Appeal. Mr Simmons was arrested and prosecuted by the British Transport Police for theft in transit – stealing mailbags from a train at Clapham Goods Yard in South London. He was tried at Inner London Crown Court … Read more >