Charlotte Baines represented an elderly man charged with a serious sexual assault of a female aged 14.
Charlotte conducted a section 28 pre-recorded cross examination in September challenging the veracity of the allegation.
Charlotte also drew the jury’s attention to unusual factors in the case such as the somewhat public location and the presence of others in the vicinity of the alleged incident.
Charlotte advised that expert medical evidence be obtained to challenge the Prosecution evidence regarding an alleged sexual injury. The report, secured by the Defence, concluded that whilst such an injury may be consistent with the allegation it was in fact non-specific as it could not prove how or when the injury occurred, or by whom. There had been a passage of 18 months between the allegation and examination.
Charlotte also attended a site visit prior to trial and advised that photographs be produced for trial to assist the jury.
The jury unanimously acquitted Miss Baines’ client after just under an hour of deliberation.