All live rape cases in the country are put under review

EVERY rape and serious sexual assault case in the country is under review following the collapse of a number of highprofile trials in recent weeks, the Crown Prosecution Service has admitted.

Last night Alison Saunders, the director of public prosecutions, revealed that the review would involve every force in the country in an attempt to improve public confidence in the judicial system.

It comes after four rape trials collapsed in the space of two months, when it was found that crucial evidence was disclosed just days before the cases were due to be heard in court.

Most recently, Oliver Mears, 19, an Oxford student, was cleared last week of rape after spending two years on bail, with Surrey Police facing fierce criticism from the judge for the delay in handing over evidence.

In December last year, the trial of Liam Allan, 22, was thrown out after it emerged that police had failed to disclose texts from a woman that proved he was innocent. The student had been charged with 12 counts of rape and sexual assault.

He has since threatened to sue the Metropolitan Police over the handling of the case, with the force now investigating why the evidence was withheld.

In a statement released yesterday, Ms Saunders said: “Senior prosecutors across England and Wales are currently assessing all live rape and serious sexual assault cases to check they are satisfied that disclosure obligations have been met.”

♦ A serial paedophile accused of fabricating a rape claim against Sir Edward Heath is demanding he be given special victim status at the national child sex abuse inquiry.

The predator, 68, currently serving a jail sentence, wants to be given “core participant” status at the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). Core participants are entitled to apply for taxpayer-funded legal representation.