Gudrun Young KC Represents Student in Rape Trial Ending in Acquittal

AM, an international student who had been in the UK for only 2 days at the start of a degree in Business Studies, was arrested in his Halls of Residence on charges of administering a noxious substance and vaginal and anal rape. This followed a night spent drinking with another international student in their shared accommodation. She had awoken in his bed the following morning, naked and with a sensation of pain and discomfort that made her believe that she had been raped, although she claimed to have no memory whatsoever after having met AM in the communal area at midnight, been offered a sip of what she believed to be water and then waking up 7 hours later. She told officers that she thought that her drink had been ‘spiked’, and was later to have some ‘flashbacks’ to parts of the evening, although her recollection remained very limited. AM stated that there had been some consensual sexual touching between them but denied having sex with her at all. He was initially remanded in custody and was then denied bail because support for his student visa was withdrawn by the University upon hearing of the allegations, leaving him with no residential status in the UK. Gudrun Young KC eventually secured him bail, notwithstanding his lack of a visa. Following a 6-day trial at Kingston Crown Court, he was unanimously acquitted of two charges of rape and two charges of assault by penetration.

Gudrun Young KC was instructed by Ria Kudrati of Bark & Co Solicitors.