Вульмингтон і ДПП: Презумпция кінәсіздігінің алтын қабаты

House of Lords law case

Woolmington v DPP [1935] AC 462 is a landmark House of Lords case, where the presumption of innocence was re consolidated (for application across the Commonwealth). In criminal law the case identifies the metaphorical "golden thread" running through that domain of the presumption of innocence.

Reginald Woolmington was a 21 year old farm labourer from Castleton, Dorset. He married 17 year old Violet in August 1934. She gave birth to his child in October. Shortly after, the couple fell out. On 22 November 1934, Violet left the matrimonial home to live with her mother. On 10 December, Reginald stole a double barreled shotgun and cartridges from his employer and sawed off the barrel. He then cycled to his mother in law's house where he shot and killed Violet. He was arrested on 23 January 1935 and was charged with murder. Woolmington's defence was that he did not intend to kill and thus lacked the necessary mens rea. Specifically, he claimed that he had wanted to win her back and planned to scare her by threatening to kill himself if she refused. He had attempted to show her the gun which discharged accidentally, killing her instantly.

When it was announced that his conviction was quashed, contemporary newspaper reports indicate that Woolmington simply stood there stupefied, unable to understand what was happening. It was only when it was repeated to him for the third time that his conviction had been quashed that he appeared to understand that he had been reprieved. After he recovered from his ordeal Woolmington moved to Jersey where he had worked picking potatoes. One source records that he then lived in "quiet obscurity". There do not appear to be any further newspaper reports relating to him after 1935. It is possible that he may have died during World War II five years later. Due to many people of his name from Dorset his later years are unconfirmed. His and Violet's son was briefly adopted outside of the family; but after his past was discovered, sent to a Doctor Barnardo's home. He was then re adopted. He found his blood parentage when in his 60s. Lord Goddard CJ was among critics.