Ashcott Criminal Defence Solicitors have been successful in having a case involving charges of serious fraud and money laundering dropped at the Magistrates Court stage.
Following representations by Mr Safdar Ashraf , Solicitor and Principal of Ashcott Solicitors the Crown Prosecution Service were forced to abandon the case at a pre commital hearing before Bexley Magistrates Court, London. Mr Ashraf had successfully highlighted weaknesses within the Crowns case that proved fatal to it progressing to the Crown Court for Trial. The allegations were of a serious nature relating to fraud involving high value motor vehicles and associated charges of large scale money laundering under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
The client was immensely grateful that he did not have to face a lengthy court process in order to prove his innocence and Mr Ashraf commented ‘ Challenging cases at an early stage particularly where Magistrate Commital Hearings can be utilised is an important weapon in killing a case early and is something that Ashcott Solicitors will always investigate and pusue in appropriate cases.’
Will Southcott, Head of Ashcott Solicitors Serious Fraud Department pointed out that a significant amount of Criminal Defence Lawyers are too often content to leave the Crown Prosecution Service to take cases all the way to Crown Court Trial without ever subjecting whatever evidence there is to early challenge. Criminal Defence Lawyers can often be criticised for only really getting to grips with the Crowns case, and truely attacking it, at the final trial stage (if at all). Fortunately this client chose Ashcott Solicitors and no longer faces months if not years of worry leading up to and during a Crown Court Trial. The tactic of sitting tight, keeping ones head down till trial may be a appropriate in a small number of unique case types however at Ashcotts we always seek to challenge as early as possible if it is in the interests of the client.
Sould you require advice on an early challenge to your case call Ashcott Solicitors on 0161 234 0020.
