Successful Defence Secures Acquittal in Serious Wounding Case

Strategic Advocacy Highlights CCTV Evidence and Self-Defence

Chaynee Hodgetts, instructed by Ms Caroline Liggins of Hodge Jones & Allen, represented EC in a multi-day jury trial concerning an allegation of wounding with intent (s.18 OAPA 1861), arising from a street altercation involving the use of a multi-tool, which was clearly and fully captured on CCTV.

The case was marked by significant disclosure issues, including the late service of key Prosecution material shortly before trial. In particular, the Crown sought to rely on body-worn video footage from an earlier incident, said to demonstrate hostile intent on the part of the Defendant. This material had not been properly flagged in advance, had not featured in the Crown’s opening, and was only formally exhibited on the eve of trial.

The Defence case was advanced on the basis of pre-emptive self-defence, supported by EC’s account of a prior violent attack by the Complainant and others. Through cross-examination and structured advocacy, the Defence exposed inconsistencies in the evidence, including the limitations in the CCTV evidence, the weaknesses in the Crown’s attempt to frame the earlier incident as evidence of intent, and the absence of the Complainant at trial (though the incident was fully captured on clear CCTV).

Following trial, the jury acquitted EC of wounding with intent (s.18), rejecting the Prosecution’s case at its highest. EC was instead convicted of unlawful wounding (s.20). At sentence, the court concluded that the appropriate penalty had already been served, and EC was treated as having served his sentence in full.