Client found not guilty after trial at Canterbury Crown Court
We represented a client charged with drug importation at Canterbury Crown Court. The jury found him not guilty after a five-day trial.
Our client, PS, was charged with importing seven kilos of Class A drugs, namely heroin, into the UK. He denied all allegations but was remanded into custody while waiting for trial.
Our client was a continental delivery driver by trade. He stated that he had no knowledge of the drugs contained within his load.
Prosecution's case
The Crown’s case was that our client was a part of an organised crime group involved in drug importation into the UK. They alleged that our client knowingly imported heroin into the country. They sought to adduce speculative text messages from PS’ phone, which the Crown tried to rely on as evidence of previous importations of drugs.
However, our client vehemently denied being involved with any organised crime group and stated he did not know the drugs were in the vehicle that he was in charge of.
Expert analysis
We conducted extensive forensic analysis of the client’s phone which enabled us to prepare detailed evidence to show the jury the full picture. This analysis also helped the client to explain the context of the messages the Crown had cherry-picked.
During the five-day trial, we successfully argued for the exclusion of further speculative evidence the Crown sought to rely on. Extensive cross examination was required of the officer in the case to highlight the deficiencies in the prosecution case.
The jury deliberated for several hours and returned a unanimous not guilty verdict. The client had faced a 10-year prison sentence if convicted, but the court released him from custody that same day.
Our client was represented by Supervising Solicitor, Jack Stewart, who instructed counsel, Kieran Brand of 6 Pump Court. Both were expertly assisted by Paralegal, Lily Ward.