12. Patrick's Trial part 1
From Rape on Trial by Dr Candida Saunders
December 20, 2025 · 54 min · Season 1 · Episode 12
About this episode
The episode discusses a rape trial in Northern Ireland, focusing on issues such as rape myths and the credibility of intoxicated complainants.
Rape on Trial is a fly-on-wall documentary-style podcast for listeners interested in the real-life workings of the criminal process, criminal law and proceedings. This episode sees us back in the public gallery for another rape trial involving an intoxicated complainant. Instead of being in 'a Crown Court somewhere in England & Wales', however, this trial finds us in Northern Ireland. We're watching proceedings in a different legal jurisdiction, then, but we're looking at the same issues and asking the same question: Are outcomes in rape trials better explained by 'rape myths' or evidence and proof? Key topics and procedural elements covered in this episode: prosecuting counsel's opening speech; consent; intoxication; special measures for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses and the complainant's evidence-in-chief; delays at court and keeping complainants/witnesses waiting. A must listen for those practicing or studying criminal law, criminal evidence and procedure, advocacy and trial strategy, criminal justice, and criminology as well as those interested in forensic linguistics and forensic psychology. As a detailed and comprehensive account of real court proceedings in a…
People in this episode
Host: Dr Candida Saunders
Topics covered
- rape trial
- intoxicated complainant
- Northern Ireland
- rape myths
- credibility
- cross-examination
- courtroom exchanges
Keywords
- rape trial
- Northern Ireland
- intoxication
- rape myths
- credibility
- cross-examination
- courtroom
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Doak et al, BUP, Acast
Products: Hopeless Waltz
Books & works: Cross-examination on Trial: Advocacy and Vulnerability in Criminal Trials
Places: Northern Ireland, UK, Ireland
More episodes of Rape on Trial
- 19. Kevin's Trial part 3 · May 20, 2026 · 1h 36m
- 18. Kevin's Trial part 2 · May 5, 2026 · 1h 3m
- 17. Kevin's Trial part 1 · April 27, 2026 · 1h 11m
- 15. Omar's Trial · February 9, 2026 · 45 min
- 14. Patrick's Trial part 3 · January 24, 2026 · 1h 28m
- 13. Patrick's Trial part 2 · January 3, 2026 · 1h 13m
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