R v H (2024)
Rebecca Penfold, instructed by Hannah Costley of Slater Heelis Solicitors, has secured the acquittal of her client mid-trial. The defendant stood trial for the attempted kidnap of a 13-year old girl. It was alleged that he had tried to snatch her off a street, into his car, having followed her in his vehicle.
The child complainant had given evidence which included providing a detailed description of the route. Late in the course of the prosecution case, and over a weekend, the GPS tracking from the defendant’s phone was disclosed. Upon examination by Ms. Penfold it was clear that this data exonerated the defendant. A rudimentary map was created, tracking the defendant’s actual route.
Upon providing this information to the Crown and then the trial judge, the jury were directed to acquit and it was remarked that the defence team had prevented a miscarriage of justice.
