Lawyers’ acquittal joy for client accused of shooting girlfriend

Mr M was accused of blasting his partner while showing off a firearm at their London flat.

He was arrested after the woman woke from a coma to claim that she had been shot by her boyfriend – and that the pair were drug dealers whose wares were being stored at their address.

Mr M had previously told police that the shooting happened on the street – and that he only heard a ‘bang’ and found his girlfriend on the ground.

Mr M instructed Stuart Miller Solicitors after being charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life and possession of a prohibited firearm, which alone carries a mandatory five year prison term.

He was also charged with causing grievous bodily harm, perverting the course of justice,  possession of drugs with intent to supply and driving while disqualified.

Ahead of his trial, Mr M admitted selling drugs and driving while banned, but denied shooting his girlfriend, or ever having a gun or ammunition.

Lawyers working for Mr M put forward a motive that the real shooter was not named by the his girlfriend out of fear.

A spokesman for Stuart Miller Solicitors said: “The actual shooter could have been a rival gang member or even the boss, who was the tenant of the flat where the shooting took place.

“This person would be feared by all parties and Mr M did fear him.

“At a trial at Wood Green Crown Court, Mr M gave evidence that he feared the boss and had been threatened by him himself.”

After hearing all the evidence, the jury acquitted Mr M of shooting his girlfriend in the chest, and  possessing a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

He was only convicted of perverting the course of justice over the false statement made to police about the location of the shooting.