No Further Action for Youth Accused of Sexual Assault

Case study summary

Our client was 14 years old accused of assaulting her friend by penetrating her at a sleepover. Her mother called us before her arrest and we represented her at the police station and thereafter. We kept on top of the police to see this for what it was. No Further Action taken.

Case study

Our client was a 14 year old girl accused of sexually penetrating and assaulting her friend at a sleepover. The complainant had given a video interview and gave a very detailed account. We agreed for the police to arrest our client with us present, as well as her mother. Unsurprisingly, our client and her mother were terrified of being hauled to the police station for such a serious allegation at such a young age.

Our specialist sexual assault solicitors attended the station immediately and were present from start to finish, not leaving our client's side. We took full instructions from her and it soon became apparent that this was a case of two girls experimenting, with consent, rather than anything sinister. A senior police officer was dedicated to the investigation and we had a lengthy conversation with him about the options available to the police besides court.

We made the tactical decision to advance a detailed prepared statement with our client's full instructions of the sleepover. This is a decision not to be taken lightly but in the circumstances, this was the right thing to do.

After the interview and after our client's account was put forward, we kept on top of the police and remained in frequent contact with them to persuade them not to take this case any further. After many months the police agreed and No Further Action was taken.

Our client's mother decided to move from the area and start fresh in a new school. The whole family were immensly grateful for our representation.