S.18 GBH Basildon Crown Court

X faced an allegation of Causing GBH with intent, contrary to S.18 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861.   He had been arrested having been named by a man found by police to have a stab wound to his leg through to the bone.  The complainant told the police that X, with others, had lured him to a remote area before setting about him with hammers and knives.  In cross examination I challenged his story and established that he was lying to the police and the court, and X was acquitted unanimously by the jury.

Possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, Wood Green Crown Court

X was charged with being in possession of a loaded handgun.  Three police officers gave evidence they had seen him with the gun, which he threw over a nearby wall and ran away.  The police chased him but failed to catch him.  X was caught on CCTV running down a nearby street, and the police all confirmed in court that he was the same person they saw with the gun.   Cross examination of the police witnesses undermined this positive identification and X was acquitted unanimously by the jury.

Conspiracy to Burgle, Youth Court

Following a spate of "key entry" burglaries in South London, the police established that the common feature was that the same person was the cleaner for each property and had keys to the houses.  Initially the cleaner was arrested, however it later transcribed that her 14 year old daughter had been seduced, supplied with class A drugs, and persuaded to supply the keys to the Cleaner's boyfriend in exchange for more drugs.  A successful defence of duress achieved an acquittal in the daughter's case.  She went on to recover from her addiction and is now happily married with children.

Rape, Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey)

X was accused of the gang rape of a woman in a public place.  Whilst the incident itself was not covered by CCTV, the surrounding area was heavily covered and showed the woman willingly walking hand in hand with X away from the scene after the alleged rape took place.  Further evidence found that established that the jury could not discount that the complainant had been consenting to the sexual activity and all defendants were acquitted unanimously.

Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs, Inner London Crown Court

X was a mini cab driver who was accused of being part of a large scale operation supplying cocaine to end users.  Telephone evidence gathered by the police contained typical supply orders and payment confirmations, and established geographical locations consistent with this allegation.   X pleaded guilty.  At the sentencing hearing I presented Mr H as very distantly involved in the conspiracy and out of 8 co-conspirators, he was one of 2 that did not receive an immediate prison sentence.

Money Laundering Woolwich Crown Court

Mr W was stopped by police with £30,000 cash in a holdall in the back of his vehicle.   He was interviewed and explained that this was to be used as a cash deposit to secure the purchase of a property abroad.   He was charged with money laundering, and accused of being part of a large scale drugs supply criminal organisation.    Ultimately after extensive legal argument, no evidence was offered by the prosecution in relation to the provenance of the money, and Mr W was acquitted of all charges.