Description
Sam Kulasingha, amd Prem Sivalingham were convicted of tripple murder following a petrol attack that killed three people. The primary evidence against them was from two witnesses. On appeal, new evidence suggested that police officers used violence against key witnesses and threatened them with deportation. Appeal judges quashed the convictions on the basis of breaches of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, non-disclosure of evidence that could have helped the defence, and witness unreliability. Judges said that they had a distinct sense of unease about the verdicts, and that the convictions could not be regarded as safe or satisfactory.
Jurisdiction
England & Wales
Dates
Year Conviction was Overturned
1994
Offences
Offence Convicted Of
Murder
Most Serious Offence
Murder
Courts
Factors Involved
Inadequate disclosure, Official misconduct, Witness evidence from non-complainant
Affirmative Evidence of Innocence
Fresh Evidence
Evidence casting doubt on the integrity of police, evidence relating to the reliability of witness testimony
Online Press
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/firebomb-murder-convictions-quashed-1439003.html
Crown Argued Case at CofA
Previous Appeals
Unsuccessful appeal in 1992
Number of Previous Applications
1
Legal Representation on Appeal