John Oliver represented a defendant, who was accused of the armed robbery of a bank. The defendant was hospitalised under the MHA shortly after his arrest. Psychiatrists concluded that he could not avail himself of a defence of insanity but concluded that he was so unwell as to be unable to form the necessary mens rea.
The defendant did not give evidence. The jury unanimously acquitted the defendant after only two-and-a-half hours’ deliberation. John was instructed by William Bergstrom and Viviane Bablin at Taylor Rose Solicitors. John was assisted during the trial by our pupil Amabel Kerr.
John Oliver specialises in crime and extradition. John has particular experience in cases involving drugs, sexual offences (including historic allegations), serious violence and dishonesty. He has an interest in cases involving vulnerable defendants and witnesses and has been instructed in cases involving the use of intermediaries to assist defendants with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and those with mental health conditions.
