Court of Appeal dismisses appeal against conviction for sexual assault, on the grounds that: (a) the grounds of appeal relating to the composition of the jury and alleged bias were not made out; and (b) the verdict was not one that no properly charged jury could have reached.
Appeal against conviction for sexual assault - submitted to the trial court and before Court of Appeal that verdict of the jury was unsafe on grounds of jury bias - assault occurred at sleepover at appellant's partner's house - appellant employee of company of which the complainant’s father officer - complainant’s father occupied prominent position in the commercial life of the county - whether there was reasonable apprehension of bias, both objective and subjective, on the part of members of the jury, including the foreman of the jury - whether the trial judge erred in finding that he had no jurisdiction to arrest or otherwise set aside the verdict of the jury - whether the trial judge erred in refusing the appellant’s application to arrest or set aside the verdict of the jury on the grounds of bias - whether trial judge and prosecution counsel ought to have warned the jury panel, in general, and the jury actually empanelled for this trial that they should not serve on the jury if they were connected with the complainant's father's company or lived in or were otherwise connected to the town - whether trial judge erred in his charge to the jury - whether no jury, properly charged, could have returned a guilty verdict.