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Sheldrake v Director of Public Prosecutions

Hearings

England & Wales

24 Feb 2003 [2003] EWHC 273 (Admin); [2004] QB 487; [2003] 2 WLR 1629; [2003] 2 All ER 497; [2004] RTR 13; [2005] RTR 13; [2003] 2 Cr App R 206, DC

14 Oct 2004 [2004] UKHL 43; [2005] 1 AC 264; [2004] 3 WLR 976; [2005] 1 All ER 237; [2004] RTR 13; [2005] RTR 13; [2005] 1 Cr App R 450, HL(E)

Subject Matter

ROAD TRAFFIC — Drunk in charge of motor vehicle — Likelihood of driving — Statutory defence for defendant to prove no likelihood of driving vehicle while remaining unfit through drink — Whether incompatible with presumption of innocence — Road Traffic Act 1988, s 5(1)(b)(2) — Human Rights Act 1998, s 3(1), Sch 1, Pt I, art 6(2)

[2003] EWHC 273 (Admin); [2004] QB 487; [2003] 2 WLR 1629; [2003] 2 All ER 497; [2004] RTR 13; [2005] RTR 13; [2003] 2 Cr App R 206, DC

[2004] UKHL 43; [2005] 1 AC 264; [2004] 3 WLR 976; [2005] 1 All ER 237; [2004] RTR 13; [2005] RTR 13; [2005] 1 Cr App R 450, HL(E)

CRIME — Belonging to proscribed organisation — Statutory defence — Defence to prove lack of participation in organisation's activities while proscribed — Whether incompatible with presumption of innocence and right to freedom of expression — Human Rights Act 1998 (c 42), s. 3(1), Sch. 1, Pt I, arts 6(2), 10 — Terrorism Act 2000 (c 11), s. 11

[2004] UKHL 43; [2005] 1 AC 264; [2004] 3 WLR 976; [2005] 1 All ER 237; [2004] RTR 13; [2005] RTR 13; [2005] 1 Cr App R 450, HL(E)

Appellate History

Sheldrake v Director of Public Prosecutions [2003] EWHC 273 (Admin); [2004] QB 487; [2003] 2 WLR 1629; [2003] 2 All ER 497; [2004] RTR 13; [2005] RTR 13; [2003] 2 Cr App R 206, DC

Decision of the Divisional Court of the Queen's Bench Division reversed

Sheldrake v Director of Public Prosecutions [2004] UKHL 43; [2005] 1 AC 264; [2004] 3 WLR 976; [2005] 1 All ER 237; [2004] RTR 13; [2005] RTR 13; [2005] 1 Cr App R 450, HL(E)

Attorney General’s Reference (No 4 of 2002) [2003] EWCA Crim 762; [2005] 1 AC 264; [2003] 3 WLR 1153; [2004] 1 All ER 1; [2003] 2 Cr App R 346, CA

Decision of the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) reversed

Sheldrake v Director of Public Prosecutions [2004] UKHL 43; [2005] 1 AC 264; [2004] 3 WLR 976; [2005] 1 All ER 237; [2004] RTR 13; [2005] RTR 13; [2005] 1 Cr App R 450, HL(E)

Commentary

Blackstones Criminal Practice 2025
Driving, or Being in Charge, with Alcohol Concentration above Prescribed Limit - Defences - Other Defences C5.51

Company Insolvency Offences - Fraud etc. in Anticipation of Winding Up B7.51

Substantive Offences under the Terrorism Act 2000 - Membership of a Proscribed Organisation - Specific Defence B10.29

Driving, or Being in Charge, when under the Influence of Drink or Drugs - Defences C5.62

Evidence - The Burden of Proof and the Presumption of Innocence A7.69

Burden of Proof - Incidence of the Legal Burden: the Human Rights Act 1998 F3.18

Burden of Proof - Incidence of the Legal Burden: the Human Rights Act 1998 - Sheldrake v DPP: General F3.31

Burden of Proof - Incidence of the Legal Burden: the Human Rights Act 1998 - Sheldrake v DPP: Road Traffic Act 1988, s. 5(2) F3.32

Burden of Proof - Incidence of the Legal Burden: the Human Rights Act 1998 - Sheldrake v DPP: Terrorism Act 2000, s. 11(2) F3.33

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