Page 462 - Magistrates Conference 2019
P. 462
SIMILAR FACT EVIDENCE - SCENARIO
DISCUSS
The Makins’, a husband and wife, had been charged with the
murder of an infant who had been given into their care by the
child’s mother after payment of a fee. The infant was found
bound and buried in a drain in the backyard of a neighbouring
property. The accused alleged that they had received only one
child to nurse, that they had received payment and that after a
few weeks, it was given back to the parents. However, it was soon
discovered that there were in fact 12 babies buried in
neighbouring properties connected to the Makins'. They
appealed after the admission of evidence of five women, who
stated that they had intrusted other children to the accused, who
had never been seen again.
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