Acquittal in Aggravated Burglary at Basildon Crown Court after long delay

Head of Crown Court Team and Partner, Natalie Berman was advocate and was instructed by Partner, Kirsty Bishop.

Our client was one of three men who was alleged to have entered an address at gunpoint and stolen two bags and a watch. Our client denied ever being in possession of any gun, whether imitation or otherwise and also denied that anything was stolen.

After a two-week trial at Basildon Crown Court, our client was unanimously acquitted of aggravated burglary and the lesser alternative of burglary.

In light of the attention given to mental health and wellbeing by World Mental Health Day on 10 October, it is important to consider the impact of delay in the Criminal Justice System. This acquittal came just under three years after the allegation in November 2018. The delay between allegation and resolution of criminal cases (be that at the police station or court) has a profound impact on the mental health and wellbeing of both clients, and complainants. The justice system must do better to ensure that the wellbeing of parties involved must not be substantially impacted, and dealing with the delay in the justice system would go a long way in rectifying that.

To instruct our highly regarded team, please contact us on 0207 790 4032 or email main@efbw.co.uk