GTS today succeeded in overturning one conviction for a client at Harrow Crown Court.

J appeared at court regarding an appeal against his convictions at the lower court regarding offences of breach a Restraining Order and criminal damage. The grounds of J’s appeal were partly related to the poor standard of representation he received from his then legal representatives, who failed to address his mental health issues prior to his trial at the magistrates’ court.

GTS arranged three expert psychiatrists and psychologists to assess J’s mental health; they all agreed that he was unfit to plead and stand trial, and that he would have been during the substantive proceedings.

At the appeal hearing, the prosecution conceded the psychiatric evidence and J was therefore formally deemed unfit to plead and stand trial. The case then proceeded to an Actus Reus hearing; the judge was persuaded to dismiss the charge of breach a Restraining Order, with the conviction for criminal damage being upheld.

J will now be assessed for his suitability for a Supervision Order. He will be monitored and supervised by an array of mental health professionals in his community, which means he will benefit from the assistance he needs in order to address his mental health issues.

J was represented by Kevin Williams at our City of London office, and by Amy Oliver at 2 Harcourt Building Chambers.

If you’re facing criminal proceedings please contact our criminal defence team.