Rapist convicted by dead woman’s evidence

A rapist has been convicted using evidence of the woman he raped, even though she had committed suicide before the case was heard in court. This is the first time in England and Wales that a rape case has been successfully prosecuted after the victim’s evidence went unchallenged in cross-examination, according to a report in The Guardian.

The woman gave her evidence in a video recording to police after the rape took place. The evidence was used in court and the jury returned a unanimous verdict.

The judge in the trial, at Chester Crown Court, told the jury the circumstances of the case were “unusual” but should not affect their judgment.

Criminal Defence Barrister - myBarrister