Gabriele Watts Represents Defendant Acquitted of Fraud

The defendant – a professional – was charged with fraud. The case concerned a serious collision between two vehicles in the early hours of the morning. Unknown to the defendant, the defendant’s vehicle, which was of high value was involved in this collision. Believing his vehicle had been stolen, the defendant reported this theft to the police and made an insurance claim. The defendant had cooperated throughout and provided all key fobs in his possession to the police.

The defence case throughout was that the insurance claim made was a legitimate one and someone had taken his key to steal his vehicle and later returned it to the defendant’s pocket after the collision.

The Crown had obtained expert evidence showing that the key fob in the defendant’s possession was used in the vehicle at the time of the collision, and cell-site data had also been obtained in relation to the defendant’s telephone. In essence, they were asserting that the defendant had falsely reported his vehicle as stolen in order to make a high-value insurance claim.

Oral representations were made at Court by Gabriele Watts against the admissibility of aspects of the expert’s evidence and the accuracy of it. Other representations were also made in relation to cell-site, CCTV and ANPR, and the investigation overall.

Following these representations, the CPS offered no evidence, and the defendant was acquitted by the Court. A Defence Costs Order was also applied for by Gabriele Watts and granted by the Judge.

Gabriele Watts represented the defendant throughout the proceedings, privately instructed by Owain Williams at Draycott Browne Solicitors.