Notable Criminal Cases – 2020
R V R v J and others. Encro matter OXFORD CROWN COURT
At Oxford Crown Court we represented a client in relation to an allegation of Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs (10 KG of Cocaine). This case was investigated by the National Crime Agency. It was alleged that the Defendant had conspired with others to supply 10 Kilos of cocaine from London to Oxford. This case was part of the first wave of prosecutions in UK involving Encrochat evidence after police forces across Europe had been able to infiltrate the Encrochat phone network which was known to be used by criminal gangs. The crown heavily relied on cell site, ANPR and Encrochat Evidence to imply that the defendant was part of an organised crime group. The Defendant maintained his innocence throughout and was the only defendant to be acquitted after trial.
R V S- MURDER- CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT
Another fantastic result for SVS Solicitors in yet another high profile case. This matter related to the murder of an 18 year old in Newham, London, who died of multiple stab wounds on 26th August 2019. A 16 and 14 year old were identified for the physical act of committing the murder. Our client was subsequently identified by police as an additional primary party who encouraged and assisted the commission of the murder. In this case, it was suggested that our client instructed the two principals to commit the offence as retribution for a serious stabbing incident he was the victim of six days earlier. The crown alleged that he facilitated the murder by providing the pair with a stolen car used to drive to/from the attack site, paying for their taxi journey to collect the car and then subsequently sheltering one of the principals in the days after the crime. Extensive phone evidence was served detailing the calls, messages and movements of the defendants, which the crown used to support their case. After a lengthy two month trial, our client was acquitted of both murder and manslaughter. Our client was only defendant that was charged with murder to be acquitted.
R V J-L AND L-W – ATTEMPTED MURDER LINKED TO A MURDER – MAIDSTONE CROWN COURT
The Defendants were charge in relation to a murder which occurred at an event in Maidstone. The incident itself was captured on CCTV and there were numerous witnesses. The main Defendant proceeded to a fully contested trial and was acquitted of the main charges. The second Defendant conceded that he had participated in the violent disorder on a limited basis.
R V O – POSSESSION FIREARM WITH INTENT TO ENDANGER LIFE – SNARESBROOK CROWN COURT
This case concerned an historic allegation which arose from a shootout outside a London nightclub. 2 rival gangs exchanged gunfire using an array of different firearms. This resulted in 2 of the patrons being shot. Operation Trident commenced a very detailed investigation which took place over several years. There was voluminous CCTV evidence and cell site evidence utilising which the Police had tracked the movements of the Co Defendants. There was also clear footage of the shooting and witness evidence which supported this.
R V W – POSSESSION FIREARM WITH INTENT TO ENDANGER LIFE – SNARESBROOK CROWN COURT
The Defendant had allegedly discharged a firearm inside a nightclub which had resulted in one of the patrons being shot in the leg. There was extensive CCTV footage of the incident and the case was investigated by Homicide detectives who also produced bad character evidence in support of their case.
R V A – MURDER – READING CROWN COURT
The Defendant was just 15 years of age when this offence took place and a 15 year old boy was stabbed to death in Reading. The two protagonists were schoolfriends that had had a disagreement which culminated in a fatal altercation.
R V D – MURDER – CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT
This was a large scale complicated case which resulted in a lengthy trial of several months. The Police investigation was based upon CCTV footage, telephone cell site evidence and call records. There was also a substantial amount of witness evidence which pertained to a dispute between 2 gangs in the West London area. The animosity between the rival gangs foreshadowed a violent battle in the street which caused the death of the victim from stab wounds.
R V H – ATTEMPTED MURDER – CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT
The Defendant was accused of a knife related attempted murder at a party whereby the victim had suffered near fatal injuries. This was witnessed by several eye witnesses and the Defendant conceded that he had been present at the scene. After detailed representations had been offered the Crown withdrew the attempted murder charge and the Defendant pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding.
R V B-L AND J – MURDER – CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT
We represented a client at the Central Criminal Court who was charged with Murder, manslaughter and possession of firearm with intent to endanger life. It was alleged that our client was involved in an altercation whereby the victim had passed away after suffering a gunshot wound to the head. Ms Anna Hogg, Trainee Solicitor of this firm worked tirelessly on this case while Mr Sasha Sidhu, Managing Director, oversaw proceedings. Our client was represented in Court by Michael Holland QC and Andrew Frymann, both of Furnival Chambers. After a 4 week trial our client was unanimously acquitted after deliberations that lasted less than one day. This was despite there being CCTV evidence which clearly showed the victim being shot in the head and the client admitting to being responsible for the shooting albeit citing an accident as the explanation for what had occurred. The outcome was in keeping with the established practices of the firm and our firearm related specialism.
R V H – ATTEMPTED MURDER – HARROW CROWN COURT
This case had resulted from a dispute between neighbours which culminated in a near fatal stabbing. The incident was captured on CCTV and the Defendant conceded that he had stabbed the victim but cited self defence. He was acquitted by a jury.