Abigail Penny Secures Old Bailey Acquittal in Section 18 GBH Trial

Abigail Penny (led by Michael Holland KC) defended John Henry Sayers, who was acquitted of a charge of section 18 GBH following a three-week trial at the Old Bailey. 

CCTV evidence showed that members of an organised crime group from the North East drove a Range Rover full of petrol into Mr Sayers’ home and business premises in Newcastle before setting it alight whilst he and his family were inside. The Crown alleged that Mr Sayers’ use of a machete to cause serious injury to one of the attackers was not in self-defence or defence of his family, but rather an act of revenge. The jury unanimously rejected the Crown’s case and returned not guilty verdicts. 

John Henry Sayers has recently been portrayed in the Amazon Prime film, ‘A New Breed of Criminal‘ that was based upon the book, ‘The Sayers: Tried and Tested at the Highest Level‘. 

Abigail was instructed by Richard Haswell of Richard Haswell Solicitors, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

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