Client found not guilty of two assault charges and racially aggravated public order after raising self-defence

SMW had been appointed by the court to cross-examine witnesses at trial for our client.

Our client has no previous convictions and had been charged with two charges of assault by beating and one charge of racially aggravated threatening behaviour with intent to cause people to believe that immediate unlawful violence would be used against them.

Our client was pregnant at the time of the offence and had entered a food vendor to ask to use their toilet. They informed her that whilst they were open, their toilet was closed. She explained her circumstances and was polite in doing so. When she made her way to the toilet, they became aggressive and she had to defend herself.

Our client, a vulnerable pregnant woman was surrounded by 5 men alone in a shop. They had blocked her exit to leave, and she had little open by to defend herself and leave the premises.

The trial took place at Stratford Magistrates’ Court. Whilst we were only appointed to cross examine witnesses at the trial, I conducted the entire trial and successfully argued that our client was acting only in self-defence.

Our client was formally found not guilty on all charges. She can keep her good character.