CCRC Refers Two Joint Enterprise Convictions to Court of Appeal Following Application Led by Hodge Jones & Allen

Hodge Jones & Allen (HJA) today welcomes the Criminal Cases Review Commission’s (CCRC) decision to refer two joint enterprise murder convictions back to the Court of Appeal, following a comprehensive three-handed application submitted on behalf of three young Black and Brown men convicted in relation to the 2016 killing of Abdulwahab Hafidah in Moss Side, Manchester.

In June 2020, HJA was approached to lead a full review of the convictions, which were imposed under the doctrine of joint enterprise. Although one individual, Devonte Cantrill, was found to have committed the fatal stabbing, a total of seven teenagers were convicted of murder and four of manslaughter.

The murder of Abdulwahab Hafidah was a devastating tragedy, and the perpetrator of the fatal act has long been brought to justice. HJA has always maintained that the clients in this application were wrongly convicted and that the fresh evidence now supports that their convictions are unsafe.

After detailed consideration of 11 grounds of appeal, supported by more than 5,000 pages of fresh evidence, the CCRC has agreed with HJA’s submissions in relation to two clients and has referred their cases for review by the Court of Appeal. The firm continues to await the Commission’s decision regarding the third client and remains confident that justice will prevail.

“This is a monumental step toward correcting a profound miscarriage of justice,” said Criminal Defence Partner Darrell Ennis-Gayle, at HJA. “We commend the CCRC for its careful and thorough assessment of these applications. We remain hopeful that the Commission will reach the right decision in the third case.”

The applications were led with the expert support of Keir Monteith KC, alongside contributions from leading academics and specialists. HJA extends its gratitude to:

• Dr Alexandra Cox, University of Reading, for her extensive pro bono criminology analysis;
• Dr Eithne Quinn, University of Manchester, and
• Dr Patrick Williams, Manchester Metropolitan University, for their expert reports on racial bias in the interpretation of rap lyrics and “gang” evidence.

The CCRC’s decision marks a significant step towards securing the freedom of the applicants, though the legal process continues as the team awaits both the remaining CCRC decision and the forthcoming Court of Appeal hearings.

“There are not enough words to describe the dignity and patience that our clients Durrell, Reano and Nathaniel (‘Jay’) have shown throughout this long fight,” Darrell Ennis-Gayle added. “Their mothers – Mary, Joanne and Angela – have stood beside them with unwavering strength. Their determination is a testament to the power of perseverance in the pursuit of justice.”