Murder conviction of Alan Edwards to the Court of Appeal

9 Nov 2010 11:56 AM

The Criminal Cases Review Commission has referred the murder conviction of Alan Edwards to the Court of Appeal.

Mr Alan Edwards (formerly known as Alan Steadman) was convicted at Maidstone Crown Court in May 1996 of the murder of Sharon Quine and of disposing of her body. He pleaded not guilty but was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder and to three years’ imprisonment to run concurrently for disposing of the body.

Mr Edwards appealed against his conviction but the appeal was dismissed in July 1997.

Mr Edwards first applied to the Commission in 1997 but the Commission concluded that there was no real possibility that the conviction would be quashed.

Mr Edwards approached the Commission again in 2005 raising new points in his re-application. The Commission reviewed the case again and has decided to refer the matter to the Court of Appeal on the basis that non-disclosure of information about a witness, and other new evidence about witness credibility, raise a real possibility that Court of Appeal may quash the conviction as unsafe.

Mr Edwards is represented by John Dickinson, Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, St Peter's House, Hartshead, Sheffield, S1 2EL.

This press release was issued by Justin Hawkins, Head of Communication, Criminal Cases Review Commission, on 0121 633 1806 or press@ccrc.gov.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

1.        The Criminal Cases Review Commission is an independent body set up under the Criminal Appeal Act 1995. It is responsible for reviewing suspected and alleged miscarriages of criminal justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  It is based in Birmingham and is funded by the Ministry of Justice.

2.        There are currently nine Commissioners who bring to the Commission considerable experience from a wide variety of backgrounds. Commissioners are appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister in accordance with the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice.

3.        The Commission receives around 1,000 applications for reviews (convictions and/or sentences) each year.  Typically, around 4%, or one in 25, of all applications are referred to the appeal courts.

4.        The Commission considers whether, as a result of new evidence or argument, there is a real possibility that the conviction would not be upheld were a reference to be made.  New evidence or argument is argument or evidence which has not been raised during the trial or on appeal.  Applicants should usually have appealed first. A case can be referred in the absence of new evidence or argument or an earlier appeal only if there are “exceptional circumstances”.

5.        If a case is referred, it is then for the appeal court to decide whether the conviction is unsafe or the sentence unfair.