A man jailed for tying, blindfolding, and raping a 13-year-old girl .... has had his convictions quashed
A man jailed for tying, blindfolding, and raping a 13-year-old girl .... has had his convictions quashed
19 October 2020
Ian Edward Hitchcock was found guilty in 2015 of raping the 13-year-old, unlawful sexual connection with another teen, supplying cannabis and perverting justice.
But on Friday, the Court of Appeal found newly revealed text messages between Hitchcock and the girl showed a warm and friendly relationship.
The Court agreed it would have laid a firm foundation for the defence.
These had not been disclosed to Hitchcock or his lawyers before the trial.
The court says the undisclosed messages could have damaged the 13-year-old's credibility in the minds of the jurors - and quashed two convictions in relation to the 13-year-old.
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