Able Associates Case Studies/Testimonials
Case Study 5 - Criminal Defence enquiries
Our Client, a businessman, was facing Crown Court Trial in respect of a serious allegation of assault. Whilst he had protested that this was a case of self defence, the Police enquiries had not obtained any evidence to substantiate his account, only that of his ‘victim'.
The incident had taken place in the car park of a village pub. Our client, newly resident in this rural village, stated that he had been subject to sustained harassment from the village ‘hardman' and his conies since his arrival.
Our client stated that, tired of taunts, he left the pub, only to be followed by his tormentor and one of his cronies. Our client was grabbed by the throat and then punched in the stomach. Fearing for his safety, our Client lashed out, catching his assailant squarely under his chin and fracturing his jaw. However, our clients ‘victim and his friend both gave statements that our client was the aggressor and had attacked them. Police enquiries did not reveal any other witnesses or evidence to substantiate our clients account of the incident
Our client was arrested and charged.
Perhaps, not surprisingly, the ‘victim' was also intending to sue our client for injuries, headaches, etc, which prevented him from pursuing gainful employment in a local garage.
Our enquiries not only substantiated our clients account of weeks of harassment from his ‘victim', but also revealed 2 witnesses to the incident. They had left the pub prior to the police attending, but had witnessed the incident and gave us statements as to what had occurred. They had not wanted to become involved, but when approached, did not want to see an innocent man be convicted.
Furthermore, the Pub's external CCTV system, which the Police had been informed had not been switched on at the time of the incident, was found to have a tape clearly showing the incident. Better still, the recording clearly shows the incident in the exact terms that our Client had described.
Unsurprisingly, the Crown Prosecution Service dropped all charges against our Client when given our dossier of evidence. Our Client‘s so called ‘victim' was served with an Injunction, prohibiting him from contacting or harassing our client, and was unable to proceed with any claim for compensation .
We understand he has also been ‘barred' from the Pub. |
