Julia Smart KC leading Keith Harrison secures unanimous acquittal
After a five day trial at Leeds Crown Court, Julia Smart KC leading Keith Harrison secured an acquittal on all seven counts of historic indecent assault for their client, a high profile professional man of good character. They were instructed and assisted at Court by John Goodwin of Ison Harrison Solicitors.
The original allegations had been reported by the complainant over 20 years earlier and were subject to a full police investigation at the time and the case was marked with “No Further Action”. Recently the complainant exercised her right to review that decision and the investigation was re-instated and the defendant charged. Of critical importance was to establish just how prejudiced the defendant was owing to the delay. There were many records and other material no longer available which could have established inconsistencies in the complainant’s account and the Judge gave a full “delay” direction. The jury delivered their unanimous not guilty verdicts in under 90 minutes.
