Rape convictions 'may be unsafe'

A man serving a 12-year sentence for raping a woman and a girl has been granted leave to appeal.

Michael Eardley, 34, formerly of Brutus Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, was found guilty at Stoke Crown Court in 2003.

He claims he was wrongly jailed as the jury was badly directed on how to treat the evidence of children and because of the delay since the alleged offences.

Three Appeal Court judges said it was arguable his conviction was unsafe.