Client Acquitted of Assisting Boyfriend in High-Profile Murder Case Involving Drug-Related Retaliation Killing

Our client was charged with two counts of assisting an offender in relation to a primary allegation of murder. She thought at the time, the devoted girlfriend of one of the suspects (who had escaped the country and therefore has not faced trial).

Following her arrest, she learned that her boyfriend and his associate were involved in a high-level drug operation, employing others as drivers and runners. The Crown’s case was that, after a drug-related robbery, the defendants carried out a revenge shooting, killing a family member at close range, with others assisting by driving and disposing of the vehicle. Our client’s boyfriend then contacted her from another defendant’s phone and asked her to collect him, which she did, along with another individual, allegedly knowing they had just committed murder.

Our client denied the allegations. She was a successful small business owner with no previous convictions and described as devoted to her partner, who she believed used her only for lifts and accommodation. She maintained she had no knowledge of his criminal activity and did not believe he was capable of murder, thinking she was simply collecting him after a night out.

The case involved a large volume of evidence, including detailed witness statements from friends and family about her relationship and movements prior to the incident.

All co-defendants were convicted of murder or manslaughter, with one still at large. Our client was acquitted on both counts of assisting an offender, avoiding a likely custodial sentence and retaining her good character.

Rachel Hobba was the solicitor with conduct of this case. Sarah Holt of 7 Harrington Street Chambers was the barrister instructed.