Bell v Regina [2017] NSWCCA 207

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Bell v Regina [2017] NSWCCA 207 Hearing dates: 26 & 29 May 2017 Date of orders: 29 May 2017 Decision date: 28 August 2017 Before: Bathurst CJ McCallum J N Adams J Decision: 1. Grant the applicant leave to appeal. 2. Appeal allowed. 3. Quash the convictions of the applicant. 4. Enter verdicts of acquittal. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – appeal and new trial – whether verdict unreasonable or insupportable having regard to evidence – whether certain utterances could constitute admissions pursuant to s 81 of the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) – consideration of the course of trial Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) ss 61I, 61L, 344A(1) Criminal Appeal Act 1912 s 6(1) Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW) ss 133(1), 159, 293 Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) ss 38, 39, 42, 81(1) Cases Cited: Filippou v The Queen (2015) 256 CLR 47; [2015] HCA 29 Libke v The Queen (2007) 230 CLR 559; [2007] HCA 30 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Kenneth Bell (Applicant) Regina (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: P Coady (Applicant) N Williams (Respondent)

Solicitors:

Legal Aid NSW (Applicant) Solicitor for Public Prosecutions (Respondent) File Number(s): 2013/132092 Publication restriction: Statutory non-publication order re identity of complainant Decision under appeal Court or tribunal: District Court of NSW Jurisdiction: Criminal Date of Decision: 3 June 2016 Before: Herbert DCJ File Number(s): 2013/132092