Scott Tuppen's Client Acquitted of Perverting the Course of Justice

Scott Tuppen, acting for R.D., represented the defendant at trial at Luton Crown Court, sitting in Bedford. 

Scott's client was charged with Perverting the Course of Justice, following an investigation into an allegation that the client had generated and used false medical records to secure a postponement of separate criminal proceedings. 

The prosecution sought to prove that Scott's client had obtained medical documents, and then proceeded to alter these documents, with the intention of misrepresenting to the court the severity of the defendant's medical condition. The prosecution argued that the defendant’s objective had been to mislead the court into granting what would have effectively amounted to an indefinite postponement of the trial and/or sentence for a separate criminal charge. 

Through cross-examination of prosecution witnesses, Scott demonstrated that the police had not followed up on reasonable lines of enquiry, which could have generated exculpatory evidence. 

In closing, Scott argued that the case, which was heavily dependent on circumstantial evidence, was so flawed that the prosecution hadn't even come close to discharging the burden of proof. 

The trial, in April 2024, concluded with the jury unanimously acquitting R.D. 

Scott was instructed by Alexander Bennett Solicitors.