Stephanie Panchkowry Unanimously Acquitted of Conspiracy to Transfer a Firearm

Stephanie Panchkowry’s client was charged with conspiracy to transfer a firearm, dating back to January – March 2020. It was alleged that the two defendants conspired together to transfer a firearm. The defendant was the co-defendant’s drug dealer. Numerous phone messages captured the conversations between the defendants, along with voice notes between the defendant and a third party. A bullet proof vest was found at the defendant’s home address, along with what the prosecution thought was ammunition. Extensive cell site evidence was relied upon, along with a substantial phone schedule containing hundreds of messages.

Following a four-week trial at Aylesbury Crown Court, sitting at Amersham, both defendants were unanimously acquitted.

The defendant previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs after being arrested on 8 May 2020. He was remanded in custody and sentenced to 4 years’ custody in July 2020. Despite messages being seen on his mobile phone of his alleged involvement in firearms, he was not arrested for this offence. His mobile phone was subsequently downloaded and he was interviewed in October 2020, whilst serving his sentence, for the firearms offence and being concerned in the offer of supplying Class A drugs, the latter of which he pleaded guilty to in September 2021. Having spent 6 years in custody, he was finally released after his acquittal.

Stephanie was instructed by Jonathan Tyson of Henscott Solicitors.