Michael Masson secures acquittal in nine day rape trial

Michael Masson secures acquittal in nine day rape trial

31 October 2024

In a trial taking place over nine days before HHJ Bury at Hull Crown Court, Michael has successfully defended a man charged with Rape.

The central question was whether or not the Complainant consented to sexual intercourse with the Defendant (her friend and a man of previous good character) in circumstances where he claimed that she had initiated sex whilst visiting him at his home.

 Witnesses having seen her in a state of significant intoxication, the Complainant awoke the following morning sensing something had happened but unable to recall a period of some 10 hours, unable to account for the sensation of having been physically intimate and understandably distraught at the uncertainty over what had happened.

The Defendant and Complainant previously enjoyed a close relationship which the Defendant understood was progressing, but which the Complainant claimed was not sexual, despite a previous moment of intimacy that she admitted having initiated in drink.

Michael successfully cross examined 9 prosecution Witnesses on the evidence and was able to draw the jury’s attention to significant moments as well as inconsistencies and gaps in the evidence, leading ultimately to the Defendant’s acquittal and the preservation of his good character.

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