July saw success in many cases before the magistrates’ court. Here is a sample of some of the cases where Lansbury Worthington secured victory.

R v G

Ben Holden represented this client at trial before Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court. It was alleged that the client, along with another male, had committed criminal damage to the complainant’s car causing significant damage to the car’s windows and wing mirrors. The prosecution’s evidence included CCTV images which purported to show the client causing the damage. The other male had already pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.

At the trial the prosecution called two independent witnesses to support their case along with the CCTV evidence. However, under cross-examination the weakness of the prosecution case was exposed. Ben made a half-time submission that there was no case to answer as there was insufficient identification evidence to show a reasonable prospect of conviction. The magistrates agreed with Ben’s submissions and the client was acquitted of the charge without even having to give evidence.

R v G & G

Two co-defendants, both represented by Lansbury Worthington, both acquitted at trial. The clients in this case were accused of committing a public order offence by using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with the intention of causing another person harassment, alarm or distress.

The clients were on trial together and were represented by experienced advocates Nick Leamy and Matthew Humphreys. It didn’t take long for these clients to be found not guilty. Nick’s client was acquitted at the end of his cross-examination of the prosecution evidence when the District Judge ruled that there was not even a realistic prospect of conviction, and Matthew’s client was acquitted after the judge had heard the client’s account in evidence.

R v A

Matthew Humphreys represented this client before Hendon Magistrates’ Court where he was on trial for a public order offence whereby it was alleged he had threatened to shoot the complainant and hit him with a piece of wood.

The client was a man of good character with no previous convictions, and consequently being accused of this offence, which he strenuously denied from the beginning, was a difficult and daunting process. However, by ensuring that Lansbury Worthington were instructed at an early stage he could be confident that his case would be thoroughly prepared. His solicitor, Stephanie Whitfield, ensured that he was kept up to date throughout the proceedings and was properly advised right from the beginning. She instructed Matthew to represent the client at trial, and after hearing all the evidence in the case the magistrates at trial acquitted the client of the allegation.

R v M

Ben Holden represented this client before Westminster Magistrates’ Court where he was on trial for a domestic assault against his ex-wife, the complainant.

Allegations of domestic violence are treated seriously by the courts and prosecutions are nearly always pursued to trial. In this case the complainant had decided to no longer support the prosecution, but because of the nature of the allegation the Crown Prosecution Service felt that it should nevertheless go to trial.

When the complainant failed to attend the trial to give evidence the prosecutor indicated that he would be seeking an adjournment to secure the attendance of the complainant. However, after hearing representations from Ben, the prosecutor was persuaded that this case should not be continued. In court no evidence was offered and the charge was dismissed by the magistrates. The client therefore left court with no finding of guilt against him.