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MPR solicitors in-house team secure acquittal in historic sex abuse case

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Our client, a law abiding citizen with no previous convictions was charged with sexually abusing his nieces when they were minors over 15 years ago.

The case was investigated and prosecuted by the specialist Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Crimes Directorate of the Crown Prosecution Service.

We were involved at the early stages of the police investigation and were therefore able to commence in earnest our client's defence by providing specialist and strategic police station advice. Lay clients do not usually appreciate that their defence starts at the police station and during the police interview under caution in custody. If a client receives bad advice at the police station, it can have serious consequences for the client later at trial. That's why it is absolutely crucial to have lawyers who specialise in these types of offences and who are experienced at police station representation defend you.

MPR solicitors decided with the client to put together an in-house defence team to provide both the litigation and the advocacy services to the client for his case in the Crown Court. He had already established a solid rapport with one of our solicitors and it was felt absolutely crucial for his case that the continuity was there. 

The case involved the meticulous preparation and analysis of the case and the MPR team worked hard with the client in all aspects of his case. It was an exceptionally stressful time for both the client and his family who were ostracised by their community and other family members in the run up to the trial so much so that our client's wife was threatened by family members of the alleged victims not to give evidence at the trial. The case required a sympathetic and understanding approach to the case due to the highly sensitive nature of the allegations and the background intimidation  of our client's family during and in the run up to the trial.

Defence witnesses were traced and interviewed; research into the 1990s in terms of TV and film scheduling were conducted; medical records and forensic evidence were  considered; a site visit and detailed plans and photographs of the scene of where the alleged abuse took place were produced; bank statements and telephone records were analysed and social media forums trawled for evidence to assist our clients case.

The trial took place at Isleworth Crown Court and lasted 2 weeks during which the alleged victims gave evidence and were skilfully cross-examined by our in-house advocate and the culmination of the trial was the acquittal on all counts of our client by a unanimous jury verdict.

If you think MPR could assist you in your case or if you would like a second opinion, please contact us on 0203 824 8080 or email us in confidence at law@mprsolicitors.co.uk for an initial consultation with one of our specialist criminal defence solicitors at MPR

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