Professional Cleared of Serious Sexual Offences

Case study summary

Our client's life was upended when police pursued him over a decade-old allegation of rape. With expert legal defence, he was acquitted at Cambridge Crown Court — clearing his name and protecting his career.

Case study

Our client, a senior professional in a regulated industry, faced losing everything when police contacted him about a decade-old allegation: that he had raped and sexually assaulted a 17-year-old he had paid for sex.

From the start, he denied the allegation. He admitted paying for sexual services but believed—reasonably and genuinely—that the person was over 18.

Upon learning the police were looking for him, he left work and took a train straight to the station. Once he understood the nature of the allegation, he wisely sought legal advice. After urgent online research, he found us and booked a consultation.

We listened carefully and quickly took action. We contacted the police and arranged a voluntary interview. Despite having all the relevant material, police disclosure was poor. The only safe legal advice was to answer “no comment.” At trial, our client told the jury that staying silent was the hardest thing he’d ever done—but legally, it was the right call.

When the CPS reviewed the case, they dropped the rape charge. The complainant’s own statement contradicted her original claim. The CPS Barrister later tried to revive the allegation at court, but failed. Instead, our client was charged under s.47(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003: paying for the sexual services of a child.

The Crown’s case relied on inference. They argued it was impossible our client didn’t know the complainant was under 18—though she was just 58 days short of her birthday at the time of the meeting.

The case was complicated by explicit messages that could have prejudiced the jury. But through careful preparation, we tackled each issue head-on. We instructed Ali Bajwa KC of QEB Hollis Whiteman to lead the defence.

By the time our client took the stand, he was confident and composed. He handled cross-examination with clarity and strength.

The jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict in just 45 minutes.