Harry Garside secures unanimous acquittals for 15 allegations of rape, two of false imprisonment, and assault by penetration

During a three-week trial at Reading Crown Court, Harry Garside represented a man accused of coercive and controlling behaviour, assault by penetration, two counts of false imprisonment, and six counts of rape. The rape counts comprised a mixture of multi-incident and single incident allegations (totalling a minimum of 15 allegations of rape). A challenging case with a high-volume of material; the complainant was in the witness box for three days.

Following a successful submission of no case to answer on the assault by penetration count, the jury were directed to return a verdict of not guilty at the close of the Crown’s case.

The defendant went on to be unanimously acquitted of all counts he faced (including the coercive and controlling count) in just over three hours. The client, having faced a substantial custodial sentence if convicted, was released from court that evening with his innocence intact. Instructed by Maurice Andrews Solicitors.