Criminal law – Appeal. The defendant appealed against his convictions for assault with intent to rob and assault by beating. The Court of Appeal, Criminal Division, in dismissing the appeal, held that whilst the judge's conduct had been deficient, it had not been tantamount to having invited the jury to disbelieve the defendant's defence and the jury had not been left with that impression. However, despite the deficiencies in the manner in which the judge had dealt with the trial, the convictions were safe.