The defendant had been convicted of theft from a supermarket. The evidence was that the till rolls did not include the goods the subject of the charge. She argued that it should not have been admitted as evidence, without supporting evidence that the computer which produced the till rolls was working accurately.
Held: The evidence needed to be given in support of a computer print out varies with the complexity of the situation and the case. Affirmative evidence was always needed whether oral or in the form of a certificate under the Act, but in this case the evidence of a store detective was sufficient.
Judges:
Lord Griffiths, Lord Emslie, Lord Roskill, Lord Ackner and Lord Lowry
Citations:
Gazette 27-Jan-1993, [1993] 1 All ER 225, [1993] 2 WLR 102, [1993] AC 380
Links:
Statutes:
Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 69(1)(b) Sch3 Para 8
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Citing:
Disapproved – Regina v Minors, Regina v Harper CACD 14-Dec-1988
In each case, the prosecution had produced a computer record to the court as evidence. The record was a computer print out. They challenged their convictions.
Held: To admit such evidence, the court had to see compliance with both sections. . .
Disapproved – Regina v Spiby 1990
The printout from a computerised machine was used to monitor telephone calls. It automatically recorded information such as the numbers to which the calls were made and the duration of the calls. This was admitted as real evidence. It was held that . .
Cited by:
Cited – Yearly v Crown Prosecution Service Admn 21-Mar-1997
Having closed their case, the prosecution applied for and were granted opportunity to adduce evidence in the form of certificates under section 69.
Held: The court had a discretion to allow further evidence. The magistrates had correctly . .
Lists of cited by and citing cases may be incomplete.
Evidence, Criminal Practice
Updated: 10 June 2022; Ref: scu.88013
