Drink, sex and justice
From Dr Robin Moffat Sir: Your leading article, `Yesh means Yes' (13 July), sums up very well the predicament of the accused male facing a charge of rape.
I have been a medical witness in numerous trials, and I am absolutely convinced that a properly directed jury will reach the right decision in the vast majority of cases.
The most common determinant factor is excess alcohol, and many complainants cannot recall the sequence of events, let alone what actually happened.
An acquittal rate of 93 per cent must mean that the Crown Prosecution Service proceeds with slender medico-scientific evidence in non-stranger 'rapes', knowing that there is little or no hope of a conviction.
This must stop in future if the criminal legal process in sexual offences is to remain credible and effective.
Robin Moffat
Brighton, East Sussex
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