Nina Grahame KC Secures Acquittals in Multi-Complainant Sexual Offences Trial
Complex evidential issues on cross-admissibility and cross-examination resolved in the defence’s favour at Reading Crown Court.
Nina Grahame KC secures acquittals in multi-complainant sexual offences trial.
Complex issues relating to cross admissibility and permissible cross examination (YJCEA 1999 s.41 and CJA 2003 s.100) were successfully resolved in the defendant’s favour.
Nina was instructed by Rachel Innes of Monan Gozzett solicitors to defend a 49 year old defendant of good character at his trial at the Reading Crown Court.
The case involved a total of 6 alleged sexual offences committed against 5 teenage friends aged 12-15 years at the time. The prosecution alleged that the defendant had groomed and gained the trust of the girls by offering them emotional support as well as gifts, alcohol and vapes. The alleged offences consisted of various serious sexual assaults which took place at the defendant’s home when other members of his family were asleep in the property.
The defence relied upon both deliberate and inadvertent collusion and contamination between the 5 girls and deployed a detailed analysis of phone downloads, school records and complaint evidence in support of the defence case.
The case was further complicated by the defendant’s long-diagnosed ADHD; his condition impacted upon his presentation and behaviour during the investigation and throughout the trial process, during which a variety of adaptations enabled him to fully and fairly participate in the trial process.
The defendant was convicted by a majority on a single count relating to one offence that had led to an immediate complaint in 2022. He was acquitted of all offences against the other 4 complainants.
Nina praised the diligence of her instructing solicitor, Rachel Innes, and Rachel’s support team at Monan Gozzett, whose excellent work over the 3 year period following the defendant’s arrest made a significant contribution to the outcome in this challenging case.
