Crime Team blog: this week in Chambers

Elise Jeremiah has been instructed by National Legal Service solicitors to represent a Local Councillor client for a committal for sentence at Aylesbury Crown Court.  The client was charged with one matter of child cruelty against her own child.  The client was sentenced to 8 months custody suspended for 18 months with a 6 month curfew and 150 unpaid work conditions.  Press reports of the case can be found at: 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9227507/Labour-councillor-38-avoids-jail-left-four-year-old-child-FOUR-HOURS.htm 

and 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-55951808

This week in Court Gwen Williamson was defending in a trial for aggravated burglary. Two of the Crown's witnesses had positively identified the defendant in a PACE complaint VIPER id parade. Nevertheless, during the Crown's case Gwen was able to gather enough material from the witnesses to undermine the  positive identifications and went on to make a successful submission of no case to answer at half time. As a result of the Court's ruling which was, a terminatory ruling, the Crown confirmed they were not intending to appeal the decision the jury were directed to return a verdict of not guilty thereby ending the case.    

Appearing in Court on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service Gwen Williamson was able to conclude a number of cases including a domestic burglary case that had been delayed because the defendant fled to the USA and was ultimately deported, remanded in custody until his guilty plea and sentence. Following the sentencing hearing he was given a total of 34 months immediate custody. In another matter Gwen secured a 6-month immediate custodial sentence for a male that pleaded guilty to stalking his ex-partner and causing the victim serious alarm and distress via Facebook, text messages and in person. A restraining order was also put in place preventing further contact.

The Defendant was charged with sexual assault case and s2 harassment. The Defendant was said to have grabbed the breasts of a soft drink sales rep who attended his shop. He also repeatedly tried to kiss her. Thereafter he sent numerous messages by whatsapp of a particularly vulgar nature.​ Counsel was able to secure a suspended sentence.

Victim left with 'anxiety and distress' after sexual assault, court hears | Bradford Telegraph and Argus (thetelegraphandargus.co.uk)

This week Ayesha Smart prosecuted a man who threatened to stab a security guard at a popular Leeds music venue and bar after getting kicked out for breaking Covid rules. The Defendant also threatened to murder his ex-partner in a separate incident shortly after her non-molestation order against him expired.​ The Defendant received a custodial sentence and the case has been reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Man jailed for threatening to stab security staff at Brudenell Social Club in Leeds after being thrown out for disobeying Covid-19 social distancing rules | Yorkshire Evening Post