Assault conviction upheld as video evidence deemed admissible and self-defence direction found adequate

The Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal from the Circuit Criminal Court, affirming the conviction of the appellant for assault causing harm. The appellant contended that video footage of the incident should have been deemed inadmissible due to alleged deficiencies in its provenance and the failure of the prosecution to produce the original recorder or phone for examination. The Court found that, while the investigation was not flawless, there was sufficient circumstantial evidence to establish the authenticity and integrity of the footage, and no sufficient grounds to exclude it from evidence. The appellant’s further argument that the trial judge misdirected the jury on the law of self-defence was rejected, as the Court concluded the jury charge adequately and accurately reflected the law and did not prejudice the appellant. In consequence, the appeal against conviction was dismissed and the original verdict and sentence imposed by the Circuit Criminal Court were upheld.