Phone Evidence Exposes False Controlling & Coercive Behaviour and Criminal Threats

Our client was charged with controlling and coercive behaviour towards his partner, along with a charge of threatening to cause criminal damage. These allegations, which included claims of controlling her movements, dictating who she could speak to, and demanding constant pictures of her whereabouts and activities, came as a shock to our client, who had never faced such accusations before. The case, handled by our experienced defence lawyers, threatened to ruin his life, and it quickly became clear that this was a complex and toxic relationship. 

Once we took on the case, our defence lawyers took immediate action to gather evidence that could support our client’s side of the story. We requested a complete download of the complainant’s phone to understand the full context of the allegations, including claims of controlling and coercive behaviour and threats to cause criminal damage, but she refused to provide it. However, our criminal defence solicitors were able to access our client’s phone, which was in prison at the time, and conducted a full data download ourselves. This phone evidence proved invaluable, revealing that our client was not exerting control; rather, the complainant had been voluntarily sending him photos and information about her activities. In many instances, he did not even respond, indicating a lack of the alleged coercive behaviour. 

During the trial, the complainant was cross-examined by our defence solicitors. She initially claimed that she had been forbidden by our client from visiting a particular individual’s home out of fear, suggesting controlling and coercive behaviour. However, the phone conversations we presented in evidence contradicted her statements, clearly showing that she frequently visited this person’s home. Her inability to provide consistent evidence and no support for any threats to cause criminal damage weakened the prosecution’s case, as the phone data we retrieved did not align with her allegations. Our criminal defence solicitors effectively highlighted these discrepancies, leading to a successful outcome. 

After an eight-day trial, our client was found not guilty of all charges. This was a significant outcome, ensuring that his life and reputation were not damaged by false accusations. 

If you or someone you know is facing a similar situation, please do not hesitate to contact us.  Afraid you won’t be able to afford legal fees? Don’t worry, we work with Legal Aid. Call us today for a free no-obligation consultation.