Stephen Akinsanya led by Benjamin Aina KC, successfully defended a 16 year charged with murder. After a three-week trial at Northampton Crown before Mr Justice Morris and a jury, they unanimously acquitted the young defendant of murder and manslaughter. His co-defendant was unanimously convicted of murder. The case was prosecuted on the basis of joint enterprise. This defendant did not wield the fatal blow that tragically killed the deceased, but he had a knife concealed. The entire incident was captured on CCTV. The defence argued that at the point of the confrontation, he withdrew from any agreement to cause injury to the deceased. This case highlighted the fine margin of being seen to encourage, participate and withdraw from a joint enterprise intention to commit serious injury or to kill.
Stephen was instructed by Isabelle Sly of Noble Solicitors. He specialises in serious youth violence cases and is a passionate advocate against knife crime.
