Ben Hargreaves’ Client Acquitted of 10 Counts of Rape after Trial at Birmingham Crown Court

Ben Hargreaves represented DW, who was accused of a campaign of violence and sexual offences against his sister over a four year period between 2007 and 2011, when the complainant was aged between 11-15 years and DW 13-17 years. The allegations involved multiple counts of rape and assault said to have occurred with a background of physical violence, including strangulation and assaults with weapons.

The complainant had a history of mental health difficulties, and had made consistent complaints against their brother to various institutions and doctors between 2013-2019 which were admitted as Agreed Facts. DW denied all the allegations and instructed that his sister was a fantasist. The allegations were supported by statements from the complainants father and a family friend.

With great assistance from Beverley Mace and Ella Lacey from Jonas Roy Bloom, the defence created a jury bundle containing historic WhatsApp messages and Facebook activity that allowed Ben to undermine the complainants account and allow the jury to acquit DW of the all the counts of rape.

Ben was instructed by Beverley Mace of Jonas Roy Bloom, Birmingham and assisted throughout the trial by Ella Lacey.