Monthly Archives January 2010

Our client was acquitted after a protracted legal battle at Staines Magistrates Court costing the taxpayer thousands of pounds over damage to a police mattress valued at £65.15.  It had been the Crown’s case that our client had either deliberately or recklessly caused damage to a police mattress by chewing it thereby causing a tear approximately 3 inches in length whilst he had been in police custody. The incident had been recorded on CCTV in the police cell. With skillful cross-examination of the Prosecution witnesses who were either police officers or police civilian staff, we were able to highlight the inconsistencies in the Crown’s case. We also called an eminent Consultant Psychiatrist to give expert evidence in the trial to deal with issues of automatism and psychotic episodes. Full legal submissions were made and the Court acquitted our client.

MPR’s Managing Partner’s comments on the case:

“From the start of this case I had always been very confident and was fully aware that the case would hinge upon medical evidence. Once the medical evidence had been obtained on our client’s behalf, I personally made a number of written and oral representations to the Crown Prosecution Service and it was a shame that they decided to ignore them and put a vulnerable person through the trauma of an unnecessary trial. We are now considering taking legal action against the police. I feel very strongly about Human Rights and fighting for the vulnerable in society. In this case it became very clear to me that my client had a defence in law and that my client had been the victim of police prejudice and victimisation.”

Our Solicitors can advise and assist clients from our Head Office in Hounslow, Hammersmith office or at our base in the City of London. Our London Criminal Solicitors can also visit you at your offices or whererever you are based.

If you wish to discuss any issues raised in this news item or are seeking legal advice, please contact us on 020 8607 4660 or by email at law@mprsolicitors.co.uk

The acquittal was based on legal argument about the powers of police and the rules of law that they must apply when stopping and searching members of the public. In this case the police had not acted in accordance with the procedures set out in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984. We were able to secure defence witnesses in the case and prepare for the trial with meticulous attention to detail. We were able to provide support and assistance to our client and his family throughout the proceedings and at all stages in his case.

Court proceedings can be daunting and intimidating, especially for young children and teenagers. At MPR Solicitors, we have a Young Persons Department with solicitors experienced in dealing with younger clients and Youth Court work. We can provide clear and friendly legal advice at all stages in a young person’s case.

Our solicitors can advise and assist clients from our Head Office in Hounslow, Hammersmith office or at our base in the City of London. Our London Youth Court Solicitors can also visit you at your offices or whererever you are based.

If you wish to discuss any issues raised in this news item or are seeking legal advice on behalf of your child or relative in a Youth Court matter, please contact us on 020 8607 4660 or by email at law@mprsolicitors.co.uk

MPR Solicitors represented an Indian IT project manager who was charged with indecent assault on board an Air India flight and was acquitted by a jury at Isleworth Crown Court on 12 January 2010.

The Indian national who does not wish to be named for personal reasons, was travelling on an Air India flight from Mumbai to London Heathrow in August 2009. During the flight he was accused of indecently assaulting a female passenger who had been sitting next to him. The Prosecution claimed that he had touched the passenger in her private area and was getting ready to grope her. The newly-married executive who works for a multi-national IT software company had maintained throughout his trial that he had never sexually touched the female passenger who is a professional psychiatrist.

The jury took only a few minutes to return a not guilty verdict after a three day trial at Isleworth Crown Court.

MPR Solicitors LLP have specialist lawyers who can assist you and advise you at every step in your case. If you wish to discuss any issues raised in this news item or are seeking legal advice, please contact us on 020 8607 4660 or by email at  law@mprsolicitors.co.uk