Michael represented a defendant in Hull Crown Court, charged with a five count indictment including multiple charges of Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm by way of a broken thumb and strangulation, and a charge of threats to kill. Each allegation was made by the defendant’s former partner in the context of the family home.
The trial lasted three days under the adjudication of Mr Recorder Serr.
The defence advanced that the allegations were malicious, and stemmed from an unpleasant separation. The allegations would impact on the custody of the children.
The Judge directed the jury to acquit the defendant in relation to the threats to kill, following defence cross-examination. This left four remaining counts on the indictment for the jury to consider.
Michael drew the jury’s attention to the lack of medical evidence, inconsistent accounts and the new information the complainant was describing in the witness box.
The jury unanimously acquitted Michael’s client on all remaining counts after 90 minutes of deliberation.
Michael was instructed by Emma Suthers of Williamson’s Solicitors.