Business owner cleared of GBH at Harrow Crown Court

Case study summary

Our client was a business owner accused of breaking an employee's finger. He was charged with GBH and faced a prison sentence and loss of his business if convicted. We carefully prepared the case and analysed all the evidence. At court we achieved a Not Guilty verdict.

Case study

Our client was a business owner who was accused of assaulting an employee and breaking his finger. He had made comments in his initial interview which the police tried to suggest amounted to admissions. It was also alleged that the complainant was elderly and vulnerable which meant that the prosecution case was difficult, and our client faced a potential prison sentence. He was charged under section 20 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861 Causing Grievous Bodily Harm (without intent).

Once we had been instructed after charge, the complainant's statement and prosecution evidence was carefully analysed to look for discrepancies that demonstrated he may not have been telling the truth about what happened, and that he was not as vulnerable as alleged.

We also went through the evidence with our client, whose first language was not English, to ensure that we understood his instructions properly, and he was able to give his evidence clearly without scope for misinterpretation.

Through careful cross-examination of the complainant, and presentation of the defence case, our client was found not guilty of causing Grievous Bodily Harm. He was able to carry on running his business and move forward with his life, maintaining his good name and clean record.