R v SCQ

The appellant was convicted of one count of maintaining a sexual relationship with a child and one count of rape. The appellant appealed against his conviction and sentence. The appeal against the conviction centred on the sufficiency and credibility of the evidence, the conduct of the trial judge, and the adequacy of legal representation. The appeal against the sentence focused on whether it was manifestly excessive.

The key legal issues were whether the jury was entitled to find the appellant guilty beyond reasonable doubt, considering the alleged inconsistencies and lack of medical evidence. Additionally, the court had to determine if the trial judge erred in ruling that there was a case to answer on the rape count and whether the sentence was manifestly excessive.

The court found that the jury was entitled to conclude that the complainant's evidence was credible and reliable, despite the appellant's claims of inconsistency. The trial judge had appropriately cautioned the jury on the need to scrutinise the complainant's evidence. The court also found that the trial judge did not err in concluding that there was a case to answer on the rape count, and that the sentence was not manifestly excessive. The appeal against the conviction was dismissed, and the application for leave to appeal against the sentence was refused.

The court's final orders were that the appeal against the conviction was dismissed, and the application for leave to appeal against the sentence was refused.