Michael Forrest achieves acquittal for Client on 17 count indictment

Michael initially defended a client facing a 17 count indictment, with offences of controlling and coercive behaviour and 16 counts of cruelty to a child. The client accepted one count of the indictment, leaving 16 for trial.

Following a 7-day trial before Recorder Makepeace KC, the jury acquitted the client of 7 of the charges but could not reach verdicts on the remaining 9 counts.

The Crown sought a re-trial, this was held before HHJ Rayfield. The trial lasted for 5 days, and the jury unanimously acquitted the client on all counts.

Michael was able to successfully advocate for a suspended sentence for the single count of child cruelty which the client had entered a guilty plea to prior to the first trial.

Michael was instructed by Steve Munro of Robinson’s Solicitors.