Summary
The accusation against our client came about following an ‘after-work drinks’ event, where the complainant sustained significant injuries to the head and was admitted to hospital for three days. It was accepted that these injuries were the result of our client’s actions, and he was later charged with one count of S.18 grievous bodily harm (GBH) and an alternative count of S.20 GBH.
Our client was provided with expert legal guidance by our team at Lawtons prior to the first Police interview. This early intervention enabled us to build a strong and thorough defence. Although our client acknowledged the severity his actions, he denied any intention to harm the complainant and was clear that his actions were just to defend himself. Our team prepared a lengthy and detailed defence, asserting that our client’s actions were solely in self-defence.
After a three-day trial taking place at Luton Crown Court, the jury returned unanimous not guilty verdicts in response to both counts and our client was acquitted. Due to the seriousness of GBH charges, this outcome is extremely favourable and a testament to the fantastic work of our team at Lawtons.
Details of the Incident
Our client, in his early twenties at the time, had been working at a secondary school for just under a year prior to the incident. The complainant had also previously worked at the same school, but the two had been introduced by a mutual friend.
On the day of the incident, our client and two friends had joined the complainant for drinks at a local pub. The complainant stated that he had been there for several hours already and had consumed a significant number of drinks. As the evening progressed, the complainant reportedly became drunker and more aggressive.
This aggression was said to have reached a climax while the group were outside in the smoking area. The complainant began threatening one of the other group members, threw the contents of his drink over our client and approached the other group member, lunging towards his neck.
Due to the complainant’s increasingly aggressive behaviour that evening, our client was afraid that the complainant would cause his friend serious harm. To defend him, our client grabbed the complainant by the scruff of his shirt and pulled him away. The complainant then fell backwards and onto the ground.
Angered further by this act, the complainant then turned on our client and made threats to kill him. Fearing for his life at this point, our client punched him once to keep him on the floor. Out of frustration, he then picked up a pint glass and threw it on the ground where it made no contact with the complainant.
Our Defence
Lawtons was contacted prior to our client attending his Police interview. Our involvement at such an early stage allowed us to provide detailed legal advice from the offset to secure the best possible outcome.
Of the two charges, S.18 and S.20 GBH, S.18 GBH is the more serious. It requires the Prosecution to prove that our client had intended to cause those injuries and did not act in self-defence or defence of another. The less serious offence of S.20 GBH was an alternative that the Jury could convict our client of if they weren’t sure of our client’s intention to cause those injuries, but were satisfied that our client had unlawfully and without acting in reasonable self-defence, caused them and in doing so had acted recklessly.
Legal Executive Angie Deacon litigated our client’s case, where she underwent thorough investigation into the particulars of the incident and gathered extensive evidence to support our client’s defence.
Following the incident, our client immediately regretted his actions. Although he accepted having pulled the complainant and having punched him, he maintained that these actions were out of fear and in defence of himself and another. He denied, however, that the glass he had thrown had deliberately struck the complainant.
Angie prepared a lengthy defence, asserting these facts and arguing that our client’s actions were in response to the aggression and threats of the complainant. In doing so, it was asserted that at no stage was any harm intended towards the complainant.
Due to the nature of the allegations, our client was facing disruptions to his life and career. Since been charged, he was dismissed from both his role at the school and other roles where he worked as a football coach.
Court
A three-day trial took place at Luton Crown Court where Barrister Kevin Molloy of Crown Court Chambers represented our client. The evidence provided by our client in court was credible and strong and highlighted that his actions were out of fear and self-defence.
After a short deliberation, the jury returned unanimous not guilty verdicts regarding both counts, corroborating the strength of our client’s defence and the legal guidance provided to our client throughout.
Our client was extremely grateful to Angie for her dedication and support throughout his ordeal, which had caused him so much distress. Considering the serious implications of being charged with GBH with intent, he was relieved to have his reputation and good character intact and to put this period behind him.
This case highlights the importance of securing legal advice from specialist solicitors as soon as possible, as doing so can limit the impact on your career, your reputation and your future.
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