Will Paynter, leading Anoushka Twining, and instructed by Dobson Fisher Solicitors, were successful in defending Billy McIntyre a young male charged with assisting an offender. Mr McIntyre was on trial with 5 other men all charged with the murder of Southampton teenager, Dawid Such, that occurred outside the Such family home on 24 July 2022.
Following a trial at Winchester Crown Court the jury returned a verdict of not guilty in relation to Mr McIntyre. The case revolved around a violent incident occurring on 23 July which was said by the Crown to be related to drugs supply in the Southampton area, which then resulted in a revenge attack being carried out on 24 July which led to the fatal stabbing of Mr Such. The case involved extensive phone and cell-site data, as well as forensic evidence, which linked Mr McIntyre and his address to the co-defendants efforts to leave the Southampton area.
In addressing the jury Will Paynter highlighted the lack of clear, incontrovertible evidence of the client’s guilt and pointed to the various weaknesses in the prosecution case. In particular, he pointed out the shift in the Crown’s case during the course of the trial, as key evidential points the prosecution relied on to show he was a ‘getaway driver’ were disputed and neutralised by the defence team.
Further reporting of the case was published by the BBC and local media outlet The News.