R v Field (Respondent)

Case summary

Case ID

UKSC/2026/006

Parties

Appellant(s)

Rex

Respondent(s)

Benjamin F Field

Issue

Were the directions given to the jury by the trial judge in this case right in law?

Facts

Benjamin Field was convicted at trial of the murder of Peter Farquhar. Mr Farquhar was 69 years old when he was found deceased by his cleaner on the sofa at his home address on the morning of 26 October 2015. He appeared to have drunk himself to death. The evidence was that death was probably caused by the ingestion of Dalmane (a medically prescribed sedative) and whisky. The prosecution alleged that Mr Field carried out the murder of Mr Farquhar by physically giving him alcohol and/or Dalmane and/or by smothering him.

Date of issue

20 May 2026

Case origin

Appeal As of Right

Additional Documents

Appeal

Justices

Lord Reed

Lord Lloyd-Jones

Lord Sales

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