Summary
Our client was a student at the University of Birmingham who was accused of rape by his ex-partner. Partner Paul Dillon was instructed on a privately funded basis to carry out pre-charge engagement to avoid our client’s matter proceeding to court. Thanks to the strength of these representations, our client’s matter was refused charge and resulted in no further action.
Details of the Case
It was alleged that our client had raped the complainant when she had come to visit him at university. At the time the alleged incident, the two had been in a relationship however, the accusation came to light after they had split.
When interviewed by the Police, our client was represented by the Duty Solicitor, where he provided a full account completely denying the allegations. He maintained that any sexual contact between the two had always been consensual and suspected that the allegation arose due to bitterness over their breakup.
Our Defence
As a young man at the beginning of his university career, being charged with rape would be detrimental not only to his personal life but also to his employment prospects and his future. If our client’s case were to proceed to court, he would be at risk of a prison sentence of at least five years.
Following his Police interview, our client sought specialist representation from Lawtons due to our expertise is defending cases of serious sexual offences. He instructed Partner Paul Dillon on a privately funded basis to carry out pre-charge engagement. This involves presenting relevant evidence to the Police to assist with their investigation and to prevent our client from being charged.
Paul assembled extensive evidence to support our client’s defence and to highlight the weaknesses in the complainant’s account. This evidence included text messages, photos and videos from the date of the alleged incident which displayed no abnormal communication or change in behaviour between the two.
No Further Action
Due to Paul’s expertise in conducting pre-charge defence and the strength of the evidence provided to the Police, our client’s matter was refused charge and resulted in no further action.
Our client was extremely grateful to Paul for his support and guidance during such a difficult time. This case is indicative of the effectiveness of strategic, tailored pre-charge engagement carried out by experienced legal representatives.
Looking for specialist pre-charge engagement solicitors?
At Lawtons, we understand that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach when it comes to criminal defence. For cases requiring pre-charge engagement, we prioritise transparency over fixed fees, ensuring that you receive the highest quality of service.
The actions taken in the earliest moments of a criminal investigation are often the ones with the most profound consequences. Don’t hesitate – get in touch with our team today.
