Our client, aged 75 with no previous convictions, had suffered mental health problems for many years. A considerable amount of ill-feeling developed between our client and a neighbour in the block of flats where our client had lived in peace and quiet for many years. The female neighbour alleged our client had attacked her with a pair of scissors, stabbing her a number of times and causing serious injuries. He was charged with wounding with intent to cause serious bodily harm (s.18 Offences Against the Person Act 1861) and an alternate charge of simple wounding (s.20 OAPA 1861). Our client was acting in self-defence, when he used the scissors to stop the complaint attacking him in his own doorway with a walking stick. After a 5 day trail the jury accepted the prosecution had not proved he was not defending himself and he was found not guilty of both charges.
Our client was represented by us from the police station through to the Crown Court. He was represented by Patricia Walker as solicitor and his advocate was Philip Mahoney from the Leeds Crime team.
If you are facing criminal charges, either in the Magistrates’ Court or the Crown Court, contact GT Stewart Solicitors on 0113 222 4888 or email p.walker@gtstewart.co.uk.