Summary
In February 2024, our client was charged with possession of an article with a blade or point. He pleaded not guilty, and thanks to expert legal advice provided by our team at St Albans Crown Court, was found not guilty after trial.
In Depth
The police identified our client’s car in the Hertfordshire area using automatic number plate recognition and searched it. Officers found a large samurai sword in the boot of the vehicle, leading to him being charged with possession of a sword.
Our client denied this charge and asserted the item was a replica that was blunt and not a weapon, which led to his not guilty plea. He explained that he had the item for use in a religious ceremony from his culture that he had attended the previous day.
Led by Legal Executive Toni Hennessy-Ling, our team analysed and presented extensive evidence that asserted our client’s attendance of said religious event and showcased the use of the item in ceremony alongside other attendees.
In November 2024, our team presented this evidence in trial at St Albans Crown Court, where Barrister Andrew Judge of 9BR Chambers represented our client. Our team’s evidence successfully challenged the prosecution, showing that our client had reasonable excuse and religious reasons for being in possession of the item.
Following this expert defence provided by our team, the court found our client not guilty and acquitted him of the charge. Our client was extremely grateful to Toni and the team for their dedication and support in this case.
Contact Us
If you require assistance with similar allegations and are looking for a solicitor, please contact our specialist team on 0333 577 0522 or visit our enquiries page
