Second murder acquittal for the same client.

Alan Kent KC represented the same defendant for the second time at the Old Bailey, two years apart. In both trials the defendant was accused of Murder. In both trials he admitted responsibility for the killing and in both trials he was found Not Guilty of Murder.

Alan was instructed in each case by Karamjit Singh of Holborn Law.

Case 1: In 2021, the defendant was involved in a knife fight with members of a gang in Streatham, during which he stabbed the victim the heart and killed him. The whole fight, including the infliction of the fatal injury was recorded on CCTV. He admitted the killing but claimed to be acting in self defence. Following a 2 month, multi handed trial at the Old Bailey in 2022, he was found NG of murder and manslaughter. Alan led Joe Hingston.

Case 2: In April 2023, the defendant was arrested again on suspicion of murder. It was alleged that, following the stabbing of a friend, the defendant and others drove a stolen vehicle around the Croydon area, armed with a loaded shotgun, looking for rivals to attack. They came across a young man on a motorised scooter. The defendant shot him in the chest and killed him. They drove off, disposed of the gun and later set fire to the car.

Between March and the end of May 2024 the defendant and 7 others were tried at the Old Bailey for a variety of offences including Murder, Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition with intent to endanger life and perverting the course of justice.

He again admitted responsibility for the killing but claimed that the victim was a friend, that he did not know the gun was real and that it discharged accidentally when he aimed it at him as a prank.

Following 41 hours of deliberation, Alan’s client was found NG of murder but G of manslaughter and of the associated firearms offences. Alan led Alphege Bell.