Following a 6 week trial at Wood Green Crown Court, on Friday 10th July 2026, Rupert Hallowes leading Jack Kiffin achieved the unanimous acquittals of their client who was accused of multiple counts of conspiracy to possess firearms and ammunition, including offences of conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life and an alternative count of conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to commit an indictable offence.
Eight defendants stood trial, four of whom gave evidence.
The prosecution evidence was wide ranging and voluminous and included cell site, telecommunication and surveillance evidence.
The defendants, all travelling in two vehicles in convoy, were intercepted by armed police en route to what the Crown maintained was planned to be a serious criminal enterprise. In the lead car, in which Rupert and Jack’s client was travelling in the front passenger seat, were two loaded firearms, one of which was seized from the footwell of where he was seated; the other was in the glovebox. A number of what the Crown contended were offensive weapons were found in the second vehicle. Most of the defendants were wearing or in possession of gloves, balaclavas and high vis jackets.
The Crown contended that the evidence implicating all the defendants was overwhelming.
Rupert’s client, who accepted he had not been truthful in his interview under caution, gave evidence and offered the jury an account of the unusual circumstances under which he came to be in possession of a firearm that day.
The jury acquitted on all six of the indicted counts faced by the defendant, who falls to be sentenced in October 2026 in respect of the plea of guilty on a specific basis that he entered to possession of a single prohibited firearm entered at the PTPH.
Rupert and Jack were instructed by Rumit Shah of Galbraith Branley Solicitors.
