Conviction quashed and retrial ordered due to improper admission of hearsay evidence

Court of Appeal overturns a conviction for possession of controlled drugs with intent to sell or supply, finding that hearsay evidence was improperly admitted at trial, prejudicing the defense's case. The original trial in the High Court had resulted in a 9-year sentence for the appellant, with the final 6 months suspended. The appellant's defense theory—that the drugs were placed in the vehicle after he had left it—was directly contradicted by the hearsay evidence, which suggested the drugs were present before the vehicle was stopped. The Court of Appeal held that this created an unfairness in the jury's consideration of the defense case, leading to the decision to quash the conviction and order a retrial.