Unanimous Not Guilty Verdicts Secured Following Four-Week Trial at the Central Criminal Court

Sophie Clarke secures unanimous not guilty verdicts following a four-week trial at the Central Criminal Court on counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to burgle.

It was alleged that force was used in the course of a group attack on the deceased, a drug dealer, who lost his life as a result. His car keys and mobile phone were stolen, as were the keys to his flat, which contained almost £100,000 in cash and drugs with an approximate street value of £500,000. Following the alleged robbery of the deceased, several attempts were made to burgle his home address.

Prior to the assault, the group was alleged to have conducted so-called reconnaissance missions in the area of the deceased’s home, allegedly involving our client. Extensive communications and cell site data was relied upon by the prosecution to suggest that the defendants and others were in contact at relevant times and, in respect of our client, that he had indirect contact with the deceased which facilitated the transmission of information to the group.

Our client was not said to be present on the night the deceased was allegedly robbed and burgled. However, it was the prosecution’s case that he was party to the alleged conspiracies and offered intentional encouragement or assistance to the joint plan.

The jury returned verdicts in just four hours and our client was the only defendant to be acquitted of all charges against him.

Counsel instructed were Michael Neofytou and Chantel Gaber of 25 Bedford Row.