Defendant Not Guilty of Rape after Court of Appeal directed Retrial

Philippa McAtasney KC represented the defendant found not guilty of rape and attempted rape in a three-week retrial at Winchester Crown Court.  Pippa was instructed by IM Solicitors and assisted throughout at trial by Zareena Mustafa.

The complainant, main prosecution witnesses, and the defendant all required interpreters.  The defendant had very limited English and spoke a different language to the complainant.  The interpretation of DNA findings was disputed with experts involved on both sides of the case.   Lynne Hingley of Millington Hingley was instructed by Defence solicitors. The interpretation of CCTV evidence was contested along with issues relating to the police investigation.

Unusually, this case involved three jury trials.  The Court of Appeal directed the first retrial which then led to Pippa’s involvement in the second two trials.