Charles Hannaford secures a unanimous acquittal for client charged with rape, sexual assault and false imprisonment.

Following a five-day trial at Portsmouth Crown Court the Jury returned a unanimous verdict acquitting the defendant of two counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and one count of sexual assault.

It was alleged that the defendant had lured the complainant back to a friend’s address where the offences had taken place over a number of hours during which the complainant was prevented by the defendant from leaving. 

The Crown’s case focused intensely on the defendant’s criminal lifestyle and involvement in the drugs trade which was not charged on the indictment. Their case suggested that his criminal activities, behaviour on arrest and in interview and the language he used in his everyday life was evidence of his attitude towards women and support for the charges.

The defence case involved navigating through the defendant’s criminal history and admissions on arrest and interview in order to provide context for his lifestyle and everyday language. 

The Jury were directed to acquit the defendant of false imprisonment at the close of the Crown’s case. Cross examination of the complainant uncovered a number of falsehoods told to witnesses in the case including the defendant and Police Officers who attended property during the alleged incident in relation to other matters. 

Charles was instructed by Karamjit Singh of Holborn Law Solicitors.

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