Favourable Sentence For Serious Kidnapping, Blackmail, And GBH Case

We represented a client in a serious multi-defendant kidnapping case. He faced charged of kidnap, blackmail, s18 Grievous Bodily Harm, false imprisonment and having an article with a blade or point.

The prosecution alleged that the complainant had been detained while demands for money were made to relatives and friends, and that he was tortured resulting in GBH level injuries.  

The evidence required careful analysis by the defence, as there were multiple accounts from prosecution witnesses and other defendants which changed throughout the course of the case. We considered the chronology, communications, movements, financial demands, and forensic evidence. We were able to identify multiple avenues for questioning the evidence in cross-examination in accordance with our client’s account.  

Ultimately, the jury convicted our client. Given the length of the detention and violence suffered by the victim in this case, the starting point for the offences could have been as high as 11 years.  

Following detailed preparation and focused mitigation, which included detailed character references and letter of remorse, our client received a sentence of only five years’ imprisonment, with no finding of dangerousness.  

Phoebe Coleman was the solicitor of conduct of this matter, she was assisted by her trainee, Lucie Hall.

Violet Smart of Doughty Street chambers was instructed counsel.