Five defendants in two joined applications to appeal challenged their convictions for joint enterprise murder. The appeals also raised issues as to how young or vulnerable defendants are dealt with by the court. The second application raised issues relating to the trial of young defendants in the Crown Court.
The Court dismissed the appeals but made important remarks in relation to the training of practitioners representing children and vulnerable defendants in criminal courts, stating that “pre-trial and trial process should, so far as necessary, be adapted to meet” requirements set out in Criminal Practice Directions 2015 [2015] EWCA Crim 1567 consolidated with Amendment no. 2 [2016] EWCA Crim 17. Further in accordance with McCook [2014] EWCA Crim 734 new counsel taking on appeal to consult fully with the original trial counsel and solicitors.
Hugh Southey QC was involved in this case.