Mr Bamber was convicted in 1986 at Chelmsford Crown Court of the murder of his adoptive parents, his sister and her sons in Tolleshunt D'Arcy in 1985. Mr Bamber had applied to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) to review fresh evidence in his case with a view to the case being referred back to the Court of Appeal.
The case of Jeremy Bamber has been a long running and interesting one.The case raises awareness of the work conducted by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC). The CCRC's role is defined within the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 as follows:
- Reviewing suspected miscarriages of justice and referring a conviction, verdict or finding or sentence to an appropriate court of appeal where it is felt that there is a “real possibility” that it would not be upheld.
- To investigate and report to the Court of Appeal on any matter referred to the Commission.
- To consider and report to the Secretary of State on any conviction referred to the Commission for consideration of the exercise of Her Majesty’s perogative of mercy.
In Mr Bamber's case, fresh evidence had been submitted to the CCRC to suggest that the original conviction could have been unsafe. It has been confirmed that the CCRC did not feel that this evidence could have affected the jury's decision had it have been put to them at the original trial. As such, the CCRC have decided that this case is not suitable for referral back to the Court of Appeal.
Mr Bamber's lawyer has confirmed that they are considering a judicial review into the decision but until a decision is made, Mr Bamber will serve the remainder of the whole life tariff was that imposed on him upon his conviction.
The above is not legal advice; it is intended to provide information of general interest about current legal issues.
