CCRC refers sex offense conviction to Court of Appeal | Criminal Cases Review Commission

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has referred a sex offense conviction to the Court of Appeal after finding evidence may not have been presented to the defense before trial.

Steven Johns was convicted of a sexual offense in 2020 and given an extended prison term of 10 years with an extended license period of one year, a sexual harassment prevention order and a restraining order.

The alleged incident occurred between 2004 and 2006 and the report was lodged with police in 2017.

When Mr Johns was interviewed by police in 2018, he denied the allegations.

Mr Johns applied to the CCRC in November 2021 after an application to the Court of Appeal was rejected.

A CCRC investigation has found that key evidence may not have been disclosed to the defense before trial.

Notes to the editor:

1. The CCRC is an independent body established under the Criminal Appeal Act 1995. It is responsible for the independent review of suspected and alleged wrongful convictions in the criminal justice system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is based in Birmingham and funded by the Department of Justice.
2. There are currently 10 Commissioners who bring extensive experience from a variety of backgrounds to the CCRC. Commissioners are appointed by the Monarch on the recommendation of the Prime Minister in accordance with the Code of Conduct of the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The chairman, who is also a commissioner, is not involved in the decision-making process of case management.
3. The CCRC typically receives around 1,500 requests for review (convictions and/or sentences) each year. Since it began its work in 1997, the CCRC has referred around 3% of applications to the appeal courts.
4. The CCRC considers whether, based on new evidence or arguments, there is a real possibility that the conviction would not be sustained if evidence were presented. New evidence or arguments are arguments or evidence that were not presented at trial or on appeal. As a rule, applicants would first have had to file an appeal. Without new evidence or arguments or a previous appeal, a case can only be referred if there are “exceptional circumstances”.
5. When a case is referred, it is up to the appeals court to decide whether the conviction is unsafe.
6. Further details about the role and work of the Criminal Cases Review Commission can be found at www.ccrc.gov.uk. The CCRC can be found on Twitter@ccrcupdate.