Case: Devon Francis

Devon Francis was convicted of several drugs offences. It was alleged he’d been found with about 7.5 gramms of cocaine in his underpants (with intent to supply), that there was 116 gramms of cocaine in his premises, and 15 grams of cocaine in a shoe. He claimed that the drugs had been planted on him. On appeal, it was revealed that the key witness to the case, Detective Constable Breakwell, had been investigated and charged for various allegations of minconduct including planting drugs. The prosecution conceded they would not have relied on Breakwell’s evidence had this been known at the time. The court found that given the evidence discrediting Breakwell the convictions could not possibly be considered safe, and the appeal was allowed.