Join us outside the Royal Courts of Justice, Strand at 9.30am to show your support for this vulnerable young woman who has been failed by the Criminal Justice System. All welcome in the public gallery after demo.

On 10 December 2019 the Court of Appeal will hear evidence in support of Emma’s renewed appeal. We have sought fresh evidence from the psychiatrists who met with Emma before her trial; their evidence was not presented to the jury. Both these experts agree that Emma was suffering from an Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder and that the partial defence of Diminished Responsibility should have been available to her at trial as she suffers from a personality disorder.

The personality disorder stems from Emma’s childhood experiences of domestic abuse in the family home, of neglect, of maternal illness, bullying and the death of her sister.

In addition we have explored the possibility that Emma is on the autistic spectrum. We instructed a Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist to assess Emma and she is of the opinion that Emma suffers from a Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). This is a residual diagnostic category on the autistic spectrum.

The PDD-NOS was not known about when Emma was tried. Had it been known then it is possible that Emma would have had the support of an Intermediary at trial to enable her to participate effectively. As it was, she was, arguably, at a disadvantage in understanding the events unfolding at trial.

As Emma did not give evidence at her trial. She did not talk about her experience of domestic abuse, both as a child witness and an adult victim. If her appeal is successful then her voice may be heard.

We will be meeting at 9.30am outside the courts and urge supporters to join us.