Jonathan Rees QC and Will Martin secure acquittal of boy accused of murder during a drugs robbery

Jonathan Rees QC and Will Martin appeared on behalf of a 16 year old boy (‘AB’) in a six-week trial at Northampton Crown Court. The prosecution alleged that AB – only 15 at the time of the killing – had conspired with his three co-defendants to rob the victim, Stevie Pentelow, a known drug dealer, of heroin and crack cocaine.

Levar Thomas drove Sifean Ghilani, Tristan Patel and AB to Little Harrowden, Northamptonshire, to meet Mr Pentelow. As Mr Pentelow approached the car, he was attacked with knives by Messrs Ghilani and Patel, both of whom were wearing masks. Mr Pentelow was stabbed through the chest by Ghilani, piercing his heart and lung and killing him. Before he died, he told witnesses “they got me”. Thomas sped the four males from the scene.

Boy A did not give evidence in his own defence. He was acquitted by the jury on all counts.

All of his co-defendants – Messrs Thomas, Ghilani and Patel – were convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob.

More details of the case can be found here.

Jonathan Rees QC and Will Martin were instructed by Velma Ferdinand of Fosse Law.