Trinity Criminal and Regulatory barrister, Sophie Johnstone successfully defended a 24 year old Darlington FC youth player charged with rape, false imprisonment and other sexual allegations in a trial that was subject to intense interest in the local media. After a 6-day trial at Teesside Crown Court, the jury unanimously acquitted Sophie’s client.
Sophie made several disclosure requests and the case centred heavily around messages that were eventually obtained from the complainant’s phone in the time preceding the allegations.
At the close of the prosecution case, Sophie successfully made a submission of no case to answer on the count of false imprisonment. Then, after 58 minutes of deliberations, the jury unanimously acquitted Sophie’s client of rape, sexual assault, assault by penetration and causing a person to engage in sexual activity. The defendant retains his previous good character.
Sophie was instructed by Matthew Agar of MMA Solicitors. Sophie regularly defends in cases of serious sexual allegations, violence and drug offences.
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