Last week at Brighton Crown Court, we successfully represented a professional client facing an allegation of rape dating back to 2021. Our client had always maintained that the sexual activity was consensual; the prosecution alleged that the complainant had been too intoxicated to consent. Their case centred on video footage of the complainant, which the prosecution argued demonstrated a lack of capacity.
Through detailed analysis of that footage, careful witness work, and the construction of a comprehensive timeline, the defence team presented a clear and compelling alternative account of events — ensuring the jury considered the wider context rather than the limited snapshot put forward by the prosecution. After an eight day trial and following less than an hour of deliberation, the jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict.
The case was prepared by senior associate Anna Ford, assisted by Will Johnson, and supervised by senior partner Mark Bowen. We are grateful to our instructed counsel Hanna Llewellyn Waters KC, whose exceptional advocacy and strategic insight were instrumental in securing this acquittal — her cross-examination systematically and precisely dismantled the prosecution’s interpretation of the evidence.
This outcome underlines the importance of a proactive, forensic defence in all criminal cases, and particularly in those alleging sexual misconduct. For more information on our work in this area, please contact Mark Bowen.