The House discussed the principle laid down in Makin’s case as to the admission of similar fact evidence.
Held: After approving the case, Lord Simon said: ‘It is, I think, an error to attempt to draw up a closed list of the sort of cases in which the principle operates: such a list only provides instances of its general application, whereas what really matters is the principle itself and its proper application to the particular circumstances of te charge being tried. It is the application that may sometimes be difficult, and the particular case now before the House illustrates that difficulty.’
Judges:
Lord Simon
Citations:
[1952] 1 The Times LR 1075
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Cited by:
Cited – Regina v Straffen CCA 20-Aug-1952
The defendant had been arrested for murders of young girls, but after being found unfit to plead, he was committed to Broadmoor. While he escaped another girl was murdered, and he was charged. The prosecutor sought to bring in evidence of admissions . .
Lists of cited by and citing cases may be incomplete.
Criminal Evidence
Updated: 06 May 2022; Ref: scu.214192
