Five defendants facing trial have been freed after a trial has been discontinued due to inadmissible evidence.
CCTV evidence of unrest after a football match between Wolves and Birmingham City showed criminal behavior outside the Wanderer pub. This has now been dismissed because police had not followed the stringent codes of practice in obtaining evidence. There was no record of how the individuals on the film were identified as the defendants.
Judge Amjad Nawaz ruled that the CCTV evidence could not be shown to the jury and the case was discontinued. The judge said “The defendants cannot have a fair trial if they cannot fairly challenge the evidence.”
The defendants were Christopher Ward, 26, of Farm Road, Quarry Bank; Jamie Hall, 32, of Orchard Road, Bilbrook; Stuart White, 31, of Burford, Brookside, Telford; Royston Mattox, 34, of Luce Road, Low Hill and Carl Abbotts, 40 of King Edward Street, Darlaston.
Royston Mattox was represented by Ecky Tiwana.
Stuart White was represented by Elizabeth Power.
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