Client Accused of Criminal Damage - Police Drop Case

Case study summary

Our client was accused of intentionally damaging the complainant's phone when he had in fact been trying to protect himself. We highlighted to the police that our client was acting in self-defence and a decision to take no further action was made immediately after the interview.

Case study

Our client was a university lecturer accused of damaging his neighbour's phone during a dispute over parking. It was the police's case that he intentionally knocked the complainant's phone out of his hand. The phone's screen cracked as a result causing an estimated £120 worth of damage. The incident was captured on CCTV.

It was our client's case that he had acted in self-defence. He had been bullied and racially abused by the complainant since he moved into his new home in 2020. On this occasion, he was heading to work when his neighbour tried to prevent him from reversing out of his drive by blocking it with his car. He failed to do so and began to shout abuse at our client and told him that he was recording him.

The complainant then shoved his phone towards his face and our client reacted by hitting the phone away from him.

One of our expert defence lawyers reviewed the CCTV with the police officer. From this, it was clear to us that our client had been acting in self-defence. We highlighted this to the police officer and advised our client on the interview procedure. Immediately after the interview, the police decided to take no further action against our client.

We further persuaded the officer to take a statement from our client as it was clear that he was the true victim in this case. Our client was relieved that the police were finally acting upon the abuse he has suffered over the last two years.