Philippa McAtasney KC – client found not guilty of murder/manslaughter; attempted murder/s18 GBH/s.20 wounding, conspiracy to commit violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon

Following a lengthy trial at the Central Criminal Court unanimous not guilty verdicts were reached. The defendant was a vulnerable young man with ADHD and ASD who was accused of being part of a group of five teenagers who the prosecution alleged armed themselves with a knife, rounders bat and an umbrella stem to mount an attack upon a rival group outside Woolwich Arsenal Station in revenge for a stabbing committed 9 days earlier in another confrontation in Dartford. Known as Operation Tarthra, the case involved CCTV and telephone evidence, lengthy interviews, issues of joint enterprise and a [successful] half time submission applying the principle in Jura in respect of the offensive weapon (umbrella stem). A registered intermediary assisted the defendant during his evidence.

Philippa McAtasney KC was instructed by Andrew Dart of Brady, Eastwood, Pierce & Stewart.