CPS offer no evidence for charges of Violent Disorder

Case study summary

Our clients had been charged with violent disorder after a fight between them and three security guards in Stevenson Square in Manchester. They instructed our firm and after a long fought case, we were able to ensure that the case was discontinued.

Case study

Our clients, both young men in the armed forces, had met up in Manchester in 2019, following their return from their respective deployments. They, along with the rest of their group, had attempted to enter a bar in Stevenson Square but one of them had been rejected. The group had moved away but this individual had escalated the situation leading one of our clients to pull him away. However, the security guard had become angry and began to shout at one of our clients. This incident ended with a five-person fight breaking out between our clients and three security guards from the area. CCTV had captured the entire incident.

Our clients insisted that they had only acted in self-defence and were terrified of the implications that a criminal conviction would have on their promising careers in the military. They instructed our specialist lawyers to ensure they stood the best chance.

We prepared both cases as fully as possible for the trial, which was originally due to take place in 2021, and submitted representations to the prosecution in the meantime, suggesting that it was not in the public interest to prosecute. These representations were initially rejected.

Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the trial itself was put back twice, and was postponed by three years in total, to early 2024. During this time, our client’s careers had been put on hold. They were unabel to secure any further promotions and progress their careers in any meaningful way while this case continued. Again, we wrote to the prosecution asking them to consider their position in light of these postponements to the trial. After some back and forth, the prosecution finally agreed to offer no evidence against our clients and Not Guilty verdicts were returned.

Our clients were understandably relieved and were able to return to their promising careers free from the burden of this case.