No Evidence Offered in a Multi-Hander Conspiracy To Murder

Our client was one of four defendants charged with a number of serious offences, including conspiracy to murder.

The case arose from a shooting in which the victim was shot in the leg by two males riding a Surron motorbike. Police pursued the suspects and subsequently recovered a firearm, which had been discarded underneath a vehicle, together with the motorbike and a balaclava. Forensic examination identified DNA attributable to co-defendants on two of the recovered items.

The prosecution case was that this was a case of mistaken identity, with the shooting having been intended for another individual who lived in the same area.

Our client was not arrested until several months after the incident. His arrest followed analysis of the co-defendants' mobile phones and the review of extensive CCTV footage, which the prosecution alleged linked him to the co-defendants who were said to have been riding the Surron motorbike. The case against him was, in essence, heavily reliant upon association, timing and location.

Our client maintained throughout that he had played no part in the offence. He lived approximately two minutes from the scene of the shooting and was at home watching television with his family when the incident occurred.

A cell-site expert and firearms expert were instructed on his behalf, and the available forensic evidence was carefully examined. The defence also obtained numerous witness statements addressing our client's movements at the relevant time, as well as evidence concerning his character.

Following extensive defence preparation, two weeks before the trial was due to commence, the prosecution notified the defence that it would offer no evidence against our client. The matter was listed before the Court on the same day, bringing the proceedings against him to an end.

Rachel Hobba was the solicitor with conduct of this matter. Mr Nick Johnson KC and Mr Frank Dillon, of 7 Harrington Street Chambers were instructed Counsel.