England: CPS and police apologise to Liam Allan over failure to disclose exonerating evidence

Liam Allan, 22, from London, had been charged with 12 counts of rape and sexual assault.

However, his trial collapsed after previously undisclosed evidence emerged that should have been given to the defence.

Mr Allan was in the dock for three days at Croydon Crown Court before the case against him was dropped.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police disclosed messages between the complainant and her friends which put in doubt her allegations against the student.

In one message she reportedly told another woman: “It wasn’t against my will or anything”.

The police and the CPS have said the evidence was not deliberately withheld. Instead, it blamed “a combination of error, lack of challenge, and lack of knowledge”.

Commander Richard Smith of the Metropolitan Police and chief crown prosecutor for London south, Claire Lindley met with Mr Allan yesterday.

“Claire and I met with Mr Allan yesterday afternoon where he received a personal apology from us both,” Commander Smith said.

“I was really pleased to have that opportunity to meet with him face-to-face, allow him to read the report and apologise for the errors that were made.”

The news comes as thousands of rape prosecutions in England and Wales are being reviewed.

An internal CPS report has recommended better training for police as well as the introduction of ”disclosure champions” in the prosecution service.