ABSTRACT
Lord Hailsham of St Marylebone: ... Although each appellant was originally separately represented, their appeals raise the same point, and they were accorded single representation before this House. The question certified as being of general public importance by the Court of Appeal, and the only point of principle raised on their behalf is:
Whether, in rape, the defendant can properly be convicted notwithstanding that he in fact believed that the woman consented if such belief was not based on reasonable grounds.
