We represented a client who faced serious allegations including assault by penetration, sexual assault, blackmail, battery, and theft. Following a six-day trial at the Crown Court, he was acquitted of all charges.
Background
At the outset of proceedings, the Crown maintained the prosecution case. A key issue in the case concerned the late disclosure of our client’s device download, which we had repeatedly requested from the Crown.
Despite multiple emails and court hearings seeking proper disclosure, the material was only served 18 days before trial.
Disclosure Issues and Preparation
Once disclosure was received, we undertook an extensive review of the material. The device downloads alone consisted of thousands of pages of digital data, including messages and communications which required careful analysis.
To ensure that the evidence was properly understood and presented, we instructed a telecommunications expert, Stuart Banks from Digital Forensics Consultancy Ltd, to prepare specialist reports of the digital evidence.
We then carried out a detailed review of all the material, identifying and preparing key evidence for use at trial.
We also obtained several witness statements and worked closely with our client to ensure that both he and the case were fully prepared ahead of trial.
Trial and Outcome
Following a six-day trial, the jury returned not guilty verdicts on all counts, acquitting our client of every allegation.
Our client was represented by Solicitor Jack Stewart, assisted by Solicitor Apprentice, Ness Kaya, with Kieran Brand of Six Pump Court instructed as counsel.
