February 26, 2018

Lucy Taylor-Grime secures racially aggravated acquittal

Lucy Taylor-Grime successfully represented a client before Cannock Magistrates’ Court in relation to an alleged racially aggravated public order offence.

It had been alleged that the client had wound down the window of a moving vehicle and shouted words to the complainant which were hostile and racially offensive.   The allegation had been denied by the client immediately following his arrest and during the course of an interview with the police.  He did accept shouting abuse from a moving vehicle following a disagreement.

At the first hearing a not guilty plea was entered at Court and the matter set down for Trial.

Following the careful cross-examination of the prosecution witness, she conceded that she could not be sure as to what she actually heard being shouted. After hearing from the client it was submitted that there was insufficient evidence to convict.

The Magistrates did not consider that the Prosecution had demonstrated their case had been proved and the client was acquitted of the offence.  Understandably, he was delighted with the result but recognised his behaviour had not been the best at the time of the argument.