R v P – March 2014

Nick Leamy successfully represented a client on trial before Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court charged with joint enterprise theft and criminal damage during the Notting Hill Carnival.

The allegation was that our client and two others had stolen a mobile phone from the complainant and then kicked it down the road causing criminal damage. The offence was alleged to have been committed in broad daylight in front of two independent civilian witnesses during the Notting Hill Carnival in London.

During the trial the prosecution relied on the testimony of the two independent witnesses as well as the evidence of four police officers. Despite the apparent strength of the prosecution case, Nick was able to show through his cross-examination of the prosecution witnesses that there was a real doubt over the guilt of his client. Nick’s client was acquitted along with the two co-defendants.

R v H-D – April 2014

Nick Leamy won this sensitive and difficult case before Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court for a client who was on trial for domestic assault. The client was accused of assaulting his ex-partner at the family home. The case was further complicated by separate family proceedings between the client and his ex-partner and issues regarding their son. The trial, which required sensitive cross-examination, was skilfully handled by Nick and resulted in our client being found not guilty of the allegation.

Our client, who did not qualify for legal and who had funded his case on a private basis, was awarded a defence costs order to allow him to recover a proportion of his legal costs.