Duncan Stewart

Year of crime:
2012
Year conviction was overturned:
2017

Duncan Stewart was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving, having pled guilty. A cyclist had pulled out to overtake a van, straight into the path of Stewart’s vehicle. It was recognised Stewart had done all that he could to prevent the accident. However, Stewart the plea was entered on the basis that Stewart had been driving while disqualified and had he not been doing so, the accident could not have happened. His solicitor had advised him that in these circumstances he was “deemed” to have caused the death and should plead guilty. On appeal, the court determined that the plea was tendered under substantial error or misconception for which Stewart was not responsible and quashed the conviction on that basis.

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  • Offence: Other
  • Jurisdiction: Scotland
  • County: Unknown 
  • Ethnicity: Unknown
  • Gender: M
  • Offence convicted of: Causing death by dangerous driving
  • Year of crime: 2012
  • Year of initial conviction: 2012
  • Year conviction was overturned: 2017
  • Affirmative evidence of innocence: Y
  • Age when imprisoned: Unknown
  • CCRC Referral: Y
  • Tried with others: N
  • Link to full case: https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/docs/default-source/cos-general-docs/pdf-docs-for-opinions/2017hcjac90.pdf?sfvrsn=0
  • Type of fresh evidence at appeal: Other
  • Compensation: Unknown
  • Crown argued case at CofA: No
  • Retrial: No
  • Previous appeals: Unknown