Our criminal defence team successfully represented a defendant charged with rape following a lengthy and highly contested Crown Court prosecution. After a five-day jury trial, the defendant was unanimously acquitted on all counts, bringing an end to proceedings that carried the most serious and life-changing consequences.
The Prosecution Case
The prosecution alleged that the defendant had committed a serious sexual offence in a private setting. Their case relied almost entirely on the complainant’s account, presented through a recorded interview and subsequent oral testimony from the alleged victim. The Crown maintained throughout that the encounter was non-consensual.
The case was characterised by complex and extensive pre-trial proceedings, much of which focused on the prosecution’s approach to disclosure. In particular, significant issues arose in relation to digital material said to be relevant to the complainant’s credibility, which the Crown had failed to review adequately.
The Defence Response
From the outset, the defence rejected the allegation in its entirety. The defence case was that the allegation was false and motivated by factors wholly unconnected to any criminal conduct.
Central to the defence strategy was a detailed and forensic analysis of the complainant’s evidence. Her account was shown to be inconsistent and unreliable, with key elements changing over time. During the trial, she introduced new allegations that had never previously been disclosed to the police. The investigating officer confirmed under cross-examination that these matters were being raised for the first time in the witness box.
The defence also advanced evidence that the complainant had made threats and had sought to use the allegation as leverage in a financial dispute. When challenged, she accepted that threats had been made but attempted to characterise them as misunderstandings or cultural issues. The defence successfully demonstrated that this explanation was untenable.
Supporting Defence Evidence
The jury heard evidence from multiple independent defence witnesses whose testimony directly contradicted the prosecution’s case. Their evidence supported the defence position that the allegation was not genuine and that attempts had been made to secure a financial advantage in exchange for withdrawing the complaint.
Although the defendant’s own evidence was robustly tested by the prosecution, the defence submitted that his account remained consistent and credible when assessed alongside the independent evidence and the significant weaknesses exposed in the Crown’s case.
Disclosure Failures Exposed
A substantial feature of the trial was the defence’s sustained challenge to the prosecution’s failures in disclosure. Over many months, the defence pressed for a proper examination of digital material that had not been addressed in accordance with disclosure obligations. These failures resulted in repeated delays and ultimately undermined the reliability of the prosecution’s case once disclosure was finally remedied.
The Verdict
After hearing all the evidence and legal submissions, the jury retired to consider their verdict. They returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty on all counts. The court subsequently granted a defence costs order.
This case stands as a clear example of Berris Law’s continued commitment to robust, meticulous criminal defence in the most serious and complex cases. Faced with allegations carrying profound consequences, the defence team pursued every aspect of the evidence with care, diligence, and determination, ensuring that the prosecution was held to the highest possible standards.
The acquittal was achieved through detailed preparation, relentless focus on disclosure failures, and skilled advocacy in the courtroom. By exposing inconsistencies, challenging credibility, and presenting compelling defence evidence, the team ensured that the jury was able to reach a fair and just verdict.
