R -v- B, Snaresbrook Crown Court, 2022
About
Defendant was charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, he was seen on CCTV punching and kicking the victim which resulted in a broken jaw. The defendant did not dispute the act however he disputed that he intended to cause injury. The defendant suffered from poor mental health. We instructed a psychiatrist who confirmed that the defendant's mental health played a significant part in the commission of the offence. The prosecution insisted on a jury trial to establish whether or not the defendant had the necessary intent to commit the offence.
Result
The defendant was acquitted by jury.
R -v- G, Snaresbrook Crown Court, Conspiracy to Supply Class B Drugs and Wounding With Intent by Means of a Corrosive Liquid, 2021
About
The defendant was under surveillance as part of an extensive operation by the NCA relating to a significant supply of cannabis. Over 40 kilos of cannabis were seized in the operation. On arrest of the defendant, armed police raided the warehouse and acid was dispensed in the face of an officer as he opened the door. The prosecution relied on the bodycam footage and officer statements attributing the discharge of the acid to our client coming from the direction he was standing when they approached. The defence instructed a CCTV expert and blood splatter expert to analyse the droplets and footage, compiling a reconstruction of the scene with state of the art 3D footage. The expert concluded that the defendant could not be responsible for discharging the acid.
Result
In light of our report and representations made to the prosecution, the charge was dropped and a not guilty verdict recorded.
R -v- M, Snaresbrook Crown Court, Violent Disorder, 2021
About
This was a gang related incident with two groups fighting in East London. It was alleged that our defendant violently stabbed the victim whilst in a chicken shop having grabbed a machete from behind the kitchen counter. The defendant did not dispute what he had done, but claimed he was acting in self-defence as he was being violently attacked with a machete himself and had no choice but to defend himself.
Result
The defendant was the only one acquitted after trial.
R -v- J, Violent Disorder, Kingston Crown Court, 2021
About
This was a large-scale violent disorder between two groups of football supporters in a South London pub. Chelsea and Tottenham fans were seen on CCTV to have a full-scale fight with missiles being discharged and weapons used in broad daylight. The defendant maintained that he acted momentarily in self-defence. We instructed a CCTV expert who was able to cast doubt on the prosecution case, it corroborated the defendant's version of events.
Result
Following our report and submissions, the case was dismissed on the first day of trial, all of the other numerous defendants had to stand trial.
R -v- S, Norwich Crown Court, 2020
About
The defendant was charged with aggravated burglary and false imprisonment. The case involved the false imprisonment of a victim who was tied up in a house and aggravated burglary relating to hundred of plants of cannabis. It was claimed that the defendant and his co-defendant entered the property as trespassers forcing entry and tying up the individual who was looking after the plants and proceeded to threaten them with a machete causing a cut to their face. The police attended whilst they were fully masked and inside the house. The defendant claimed that this was an inside job and they were instructed to stage a robbery in order to assist the complainant who was a victim of human trafficking. The defence found inconsistencies in the alleged victims account when they instructed their own interpreter to listen to the account gave by police.
Result
After representation, the Crown agreed to drop the aggravated burglary.
R -v- D, Norwich Crown Court, Robbery, 2018
About
The Defendant was accused of breaking into a hotel in the middle of the night and violently attacking the porter in order to steal hotel takings. The Defendant's DNA was found on a glove dropped at the scene. The cell-site analysis of the Defendant's phone suggested that he was in the vicinity of the hotel.
Result
The Defendant maintained his innocence and was acquitted by jury.
R- v- N, Croydon Crown Court, conspiracy to possess firearms and conspiracy to cause GBH, 2017
About
The Defendant, together with two others, was charged with conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to cause GBH. The Defendants' arrests followed a police surveillance operation. A re-activated firearm was found on the premises of one of the co-Defendants. The Prosecution case was supported by telephone and computer downloads suggesting that the defendants had been involved in preparation for acts of violence. The Defendant was looking at a lengthy custodial sentence.
Result
Our legal team managed to persuade the Prosecution to accept a plea to a lesser charge of possession of a firearm on a limited basis which resulted in the Defendant receiving the minimal term available.
R -v- F, Central Criminal Court (The Old Bailey), Attempted Murder, 2017
About
This case related to the attempted murder of the defendant's wife's partner. This case received significant media attention. She was stabbed in the neck several times by the defendant when she opened her front door. The act itself was not denied. The only issue being one of intent given the defendants mental state at the time. The case was complex as the Crown served thousands of pages of phone data to establish premeditation on part of the defendant. We were able to filter important passages of phone messages and instruct a psychiatrist to provide a favourable report.
Result
We persuaded the Prosecution there was no intention to kill and the charge was reduced.
R -v- A, Snaresbrook Crown Court, Blackmail and Kidnap, 2016
About
This was an extremely serious allegation that would have resulted in a significant custodial sentence.
The defendant was accused of kidnapping an individual and taking him to a location where he was violently assaulted and threatened with a knife. He was forced to hand over thousands of pounds.
Result
After a two week trial the defendant was acquitted of the charges.
R -v- S, Oxford Crown Court, Aggravated Burglary, 2018
About
The victim was ambushed in his home and severely beaten and threatened with a knife before being robbed. The Defendant was alleged to have been involved as a getaway driver. We were able to produce Expert evidence to bolster his defence.
Result
The Defendant was acquitted after a 4-week trial. He and one other were the only defendants to be acquitted out of the 6 defendants.
