Faulty procedures were to blame for Wrongful Police Obstruction Charges

Mr. A and his family were under constant threat by a number of gang members who were former friends. The threats were constant and violent – the family was forced to change addresses, their car was attacked, and Mr. A no longer felt safe in his own home or online, as he was afraid that they would find his new home. Mr. A launched multiple complaints against them to the police, establishing a clear record of the threats and harassment he faced.  

His stress was palpable, and when he filed the latest statement during an altercation between his brother and a gang member, he accidentally filled in the wrong details. Under continuous stress and dealing with trauma, the details were fuzzy, and he was in a state of shock when writing the statement. Furthermore, the police took his statement in the reception, rather than taking him to a secure interview room. A few days later, he was arrested for police obstruction & perverting the course of justice.  

After contacting us to represent him, our criminal defence solicitors immediately sprang into action and launched a thorough investigation to get to the heart of the matter. Our defence lawyers interviewed our client’s family members and going through older police reports to establish a correct timeline of events. They also chased the police and the prosecution for all evidence they had, including CCTV footage and body worn camera footage from the police station during the event. After carefully analysing all the evidence gathered, our defence lawyers discovered that our client was wholly innocent and that the charges were malicious. Stuart Miller’s criminal defence solicitors also worked with mental health experts to assess our client and medically establish his traumatic history, and the stressful situations that affected his thinking while submitting the police report. 

During the trial, our criminal defence solicitors argued that our client was under severe stress, and that correct procedures to take a statement were not followed, nor were there any follow-ups to assess our client’s situation. As we were armed with the facts, the prosecution was forced to admit that the charges of preventing the course of justice were wrongful, and dropped the case, resulting in a clear victory for our client.  

Faulty police procedures and wrongful arrests can result in severe consequences – like false charges and an unjust trial. If you or someone you know is in a similar situation, please don’t hesitate to contact us now. We’re here to help defend your rights and protect your interests. Call us today for a free no-obligation consultation, we’re available 24/7.