Stephen Halloran of Lawtons Solicitors dealt with a privately funded appeal work, setting the precedent for others facing similar situations.
Stephen was instructed after the client had been convicted of historic sexual offences and swiftly identified a number of grounds for appeal. In the case of R v Goldfinch [2019] EWCA Crim 878, the Court of Appeal heard appeals against conviction and sentence in relation to an allegation of Indecent Assault contrary to section 15 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956.
Lawtons Solicitors succeeded in reducing the sentence from six-and-a-half years to three years. The youth and immaturity of their client at the time of the offence was stressed and resulted in a verdict of adolescent experimentation.
The case was heard before the Lord Chief Justice, who took the opportunity to lay down a guideline judgment in relation to the proper approach to sentencing adults for historical sexual offences committed when they were children.
The Court of Appeal went on to state:
“In sentencing an adult for an offence committed when he was a child, the court should … adjust [the adult guidelines] to reflect any lower maximum sentence available and remember that it is dealing with the culpability of a young person”
The appeal shows the insight that Stephen and the private client team at Lawtons can bring to defending the most serious sex offences. Whether you, a family member or friend need assistance, you can be assured that we have the expertise and standing to deal with your case.
