Acquittal for Professional Client Accused of Controlling and Coercive Behaviour and Serious Sexual Offence

Ella Ripper, led by Kate Chidgey of 25 Bedford Row, was instructed to represent a professional of good character, who was found not guilty of coercive and controlling behaviour and assault by penetration at the conclusion of an 8-day trial at Southampton Crown Court. The Complainant was the defendant’s wife of 14 years, and the allegations had been made against the backdrop of contentious divorce and child custody proceedings. The defendant denied the allegations in full.

At trial, the defence made a s. 78 application that curtailed the ambit of the Crown’s case. The position was also maintained that there had been a litany of disclosure failings throughout proceedings, which had been the subject of extensive written and oral argument. These failings caused substantial difficulties for the Prosecution’s case at trial.

Counsel was instructed by Rachel Cook and Liam Lane of Peters & Peters LLP.