R v C [2012] EWCA Crim 2867

Court of Appeal

Facts: The defendant, a stepfather, had abused the complainant over a prolonged period starting in childhood. The issue was whether the complainant’s consent in adulthood was genuine given the history of abuse and manipulation.

Held: The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction, ruling that the history of abuse and the defendant’s ongoing manipulation indicated that the apparent consent in adulthood was not real.

Key Quote: The Court noted that "historical abuse and ongoing manipulation can invalidate apparent consent."

💡Leveluplaw: This case addressed the impact of prolonged abuse and manipulation on assessing consent, emphasizing how historical abuse affects the validity of consent in later life.