The appellant appealed against a conviction for rape. His defence had been that the complainant was not to be believed. The prosecution withheld from the defence facts about other witnesses complaining about false allegations made by the complainant.
Held: The test was whether the facts which might have been established could have been expected to have influenced a jury. It was not clear that all the evidence might have been admissible, not falling within any of the classes of case on which evidence as to a witness’ character was admissible. Appeal dismissed.
Lord Justice Mantell
[2002] EWCA Crim 1320
Bailii
England and Wales
Crime, Evidence
Updated: 23 December 2021; Ref: scu.172270
