We represented a young adult of previous good character who was charged with offences of possession of cannabis and obstructing a drugs search. The Crown’s case was that our client was in possession of a small amount of cannabis and ran away from an officer following a s.23 Misuse of Drugs Act search. Our client was a child at the time of the offences.

We made representations to the Crown Prosecution Service that it was not in the public interest to prosecute our client. In our representations, we highlighted:

• Our client’s young age, lack of maturity and previous good character.

• That the NPCC Child Gravity Matrix confirmed that these offences required the minimum level of intervention.

• Our client’s traumatic arrest and the complete failure by the police to see our client as a child first.

• The extensive guidance which confirms that the unnecessary criminalisation of children and young people must be avoided.

Following consideration of our representations, the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that they would be proceeding with the case against our client. The same day, we served a pre-action protocol letter challenging the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision to proceed. Hours later, the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that they would be withdrawing the charges against our client.

Our client was represented by Sabrina Neves, a Solicitor in our specialist Youth Crime Team.