Good afternoon all 

Welcome to the crime team blog for the week commencing 26th April 2021:

Nigel Edwards QC leading the legal team for Covid-19 stricken British-Iranian Anoosheh Ashoori, petition the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to assist in his release from an Iranian prison.

In recent days, the very vulnerable 67-year-old Mr Ashoori has presented with all of the very worst symptoms of Covid-19 and his health is very quickly deteriorating in prison. He is held hostage following a conviction on a contrived international espionage charge.

The legal team are extremely fearful for Mr Ashoori’s life given his underlying health issues, his age and the conditions under which he is detained. It is hoped the Foreign Secretary will speak out publicly in support of release at this time of mortal crisis.

Nigel Edwards QC and Haydee Dijkstal act alongside Annahita Moradi of One Pump Court in their quest for the release of their lay client.

Paul Williams wins two week legal argument on Hearsay allegations of abuse in major historic child sex Prosecution and Prosecution forced as a result of Judge’s Ruling to drop the case against his Defendant.

Sharmila Salvi secures acquittal for local Portsmouth defendant after he let his gym buddies rent a room in his house when his parents went on holiday. Within days the property had been turned into a safe house and subject to a local police operation into county lines. The jury learned of a previous conviction for supplying MDMA. His co-conspirators were sentenced as leading role to sentences in excess of 7 years.

Ayesha Smart secured unanimous acquittals this week following a 3-day rape trial at Durham Crown Court. The Defendant was alleged to have raped the complainant at a house party once she had passed out on the sofa. The complainant said that she woke up during the act of the rape and immediately reported the matter thereafter to her housemate. The Defendant was then alleged to have stolen a mobile phone whilst being ejected from the house, in order to prevent the women contacting the police. The Defendant maintained that the sex was consensual and that the phone was picked up accidently in the chaos. Ayesha was instructed by David Harbron of Chivers Solicitors.