Case: William Smith

William Smith was convicted (in his absence) in June 2011 at Belfast Magistrates Court in relation to a drink driving offence. The offence itself was committed in July 2005. He was fined £400 and banned from driving for 12 months. On 31st December 2011, Mr Smith was arrested due to non-payment of the fine and spent six days in Maghaberry jail. Mr. Smith later tried to appeal, but his application was rejected. In March 2015, he applied to the CCRC. The CCRC found evidence showing he was not the driver of the car who had failed a breathalyser test in July 2005. Mr Smith had never held a full driving licence. There were also errors in the trial and post-conviction process. These errors stopped Mr. Smith from defending himself or being able to apply for an extension of time in which to seek leave to appeal. In February 2019, the CCRC referred the case. The County Court quashed the conviction in May 2019.