Brenda Campbell QC of the Garden Court Chambers Criminal Defence Team, leading David Rhodes of Doughty Street Chambers, represented the child.
They were instructed by Jude Lanchin of Bindmans LLP.
Brenda Campbell QC of Garden Court Chambers, leading David Rhodes of Doughty Street Chambers, secured not guilty verdicts for S, a 15-year-old child, charged with murder and manslaughter at Isleworth Crown Court.
The jury was unanimous in accepting S’s case that he was acting in self-defence when he fatally stabbed another youth, during an incident in a park in which S was outnumbered and encircled by a group of older youths and men.
The trial which lasted 8 weeks had everything. S had complex mental health needs and was assisted throughout the trial by an intermediary. The main Prosecution witness - the leader of the deceased’s group - absconded for a week after giving evidence in chief. The Crown even applied to discharge the jury whilst they were in retirement.
This press release was first published on 6 July 2021 on Doughty Street Chambers website.
