Ed’s client was charged with sexual assault of a child under 13 and assault by penetration of a child under 13. Ed was instructed late after the defendant had come in to conflict with his previous legal team, and after the section 28 cross-examination had already been conducted. When Ed was instructed he successfully argued to re-open an application under section 41 YJCEA 1999 that had previously been refused, and consequently persuaded the Judge to admit the evidence (concerning a previous allegation by the complainant). Ed also pursued lines of disclosure that had been overlooked and resolved an issue with the defence statement that contained a drafting error that the prosecution had sought to rely on. After a four-day trial, Ed’s client was unanimously acquitted of all charges.
Ed Butler was instructed by Paul Macauley of Macauley Smith Solicitors.
