Client found Not Guilty of Rape after trial

Case study summary

A manager of a fitness store, our client was mortified when his former partner accused him of rape. He feared losing his livelihood and his reputation in the community so instructed our specialists to ensure that he stood the best chance at trial.

Case study

Our client's former partner had contacted the police and stated that our client had raped her following her grandfather's funeral and shortly before their relationship broke down. Our client denied this completely and explained that they had not even had sexual intercourse on the night in question. He believed that his ex-partner was bitter over their break-up, which happened shortly after this incident was said to have taken place.

Being well known in the community, our client was terrified of losing his reputation and livelihood and instructed our firm to prepare his trial. We analysed the evidence in the case and noticed straight away that the complainant had told a number of family members about the incident but that their statements all differed in terms of what she told them our client had done. It appeared that she had given different accounts to different people which made her allegation much less trustworthy.

We instructed an expert barrister to represent our client and ensured that his defence was fully prepared ahead of trial. Upon cross-examination of the family members, it was clear for the jury to see that conflicting accounts had been given to each of them. In addition to this, the complainant contradicted herself multiple times during her own evidence and our barrister was able to use this to our advantage.

When the trial concluded, the jury deliberated for a short while before returning a verdict of not guilty. Our client was relieved and was able to return to his community with his name cleared.