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Murder acquittal before the Old Bailey

Lansbury Worthington represented this client who was acquitted of murder and attempted murder before the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) in London. The client was represented in court by Bernard Richmond QC (Head of Chambers, Lamb Building) and William Paynter (Senior Crown Court Advocate) and his case was thoroughly prepared by his solicitor, Catherine Mescall.

The case involved a street fight outside a nightclub involving a large group of males and the use multiple weapons including knives, bottles and planks of wood. One complainant suffered knife serious injuries to his face and abdomen, another to his head and shoulder and the third, a single stab wound which resulted in his death.

This was a complicated case involving several co-defendants and complainants and required extensive and detailed preparation by Catherine which included instructing experts on the recently criminalised drug, Khat.

The four week trial was expertly handled by Bernard Richmond QC (who also sits as a coroner and as a judge at the Old Bailey) and William Paynter who together dealt with the complex issues of bad character, blood spatter, pathology, extensive CCTV footage as well as cross examining a large number of witnesses, including difficult witnesses, with the utmost skill and determination to ensure the best outcome for the client.

The client was found not guilty of committing murder and manslaughter and was also acquitted of GBH (the attempted murder being reduced to GBH at trial). The client was convicted of the lesser offence of committing grievous bodily harm and violent disorder. He received a 13 year custodial sentence with 4 years additional licence period for the GBH and a concurrent sentence of 4 years for the violent disorder.