Following our work on A Successful CCRC Referral, we are pleased to report a successful appeal against sentence. The Court of Appeal reduced our client's sentence by 309 days, correcting a long-standing legal oversight. The CCRC referred the case, following our submissions that the lower Court erred in failing to deduct time in prison abroad pending extradition.
Background
In 2014, Westminster Magistrates’ Court issued a European Arrest Warrant for our client. She faced charges for human trafficking and facilitating unauthorised entry and residence. The charges involved 14 offences that took place between August 2011 and May 2012. The case related to trafficking young women and girls from Nigeria to Europe for sexual exploitation.
Our client received 22-year custodial sentence. However, the Court failed to deduct the 309 days she spent in custody in Nigeria awaiting extradition. This omission went unnoticed during both trial and appeal stages.
The CCRC Referral
The CCRC referred the case to the Court of Appeal, following our submissions, noting the failure to credit the 309 days our client spent in custody in Nigeria, which should have been deducted from her sentence.
Court of Appeal Judgement
Last week, the Court of Appeal reviewed the referral and allowed the appeal. They confirmed that our client’s sentence must be reduced by 309 days. This outcome ensures our client receives the full credit she was legally entitled to.
This case shows how thorough post-conviction review and the CCRC’s role can correct serious legal oversights.
Our client was represented by Julie Ann Boyle and Paramjit Ahluwalia of One Pump Court Chambers.
