January 18, 2026
R v Spencer [1987] UKHL 2
Nurses at Rampton Hospital were convicted of ill-treating patients based solely on uncorroborated evidence from mentally disordered patients with criminal backgrounds. The case addressed whether judges must give the standard 'dangerous to convict' warning for such witnesses outside established categories, and whether jury irregularities rendered verdicts unsafe. Facts The appellants were nursing staff at Rampton Hospital, a secure institution for mentally disordered patients, many of whom had been convicted of serious crimes. Following a television programme alleging ill-treatment, police investigations led to multiple trials. The prosecution case depended largely on uncorroborated evidence from single patients who had criminal records and
