Charges reduced Sexual Assaults Custody avoided Crown Court 2021

We acted for a client charged with three counts of sexual assault and one count of common assault. We were instructed on a private basis and took over the case at a very late stage from another solicitor who was acting under legal aid, with the trial date imminent. Our client wanted service from a specialist team and left his legal aid team. Our client had been drinking and misread the situation with a work colleague whilst walking home as a result of alcohol he consumed. He was described by the victim as “touchy-feely”. We appointed senior sex specialist lawyer Barry Linnane.

We met our client quickly and took clear instructions on a basis of plea. He had been told by his former solicitor that he was facing custody.

We made representations to the CPS and we managed to persuade them to drop two counts of sexual assault.

He benefited from the charges being reduced from 4 to 2 by our representations and an earlier guilty plea.

At sentence, we mitigated on the client’s behalf and persuaded the Court to sentence the client to a non-custodial sentence. We prepared for the sentencing hearing thoroughly and ensure our client met with his experience Barrister in advance who was fully briefed by us. The client was, ultimately, sentenced to a Community Order under 12 months, on both counts concurrent, which meant that the client was not required to sign on to the Sex Offenders Register.