Francesca Levett, instructed by EBR Attridge LLP, appeared at Kingston Crown Court to represent a 26-year-old man of good character, who was accused of committing serious sex offences against two young girls when he was aged 12-18.
The complainants were sensitively cross examined in advance of the trial by Francesca. Cross examination revealed a number of inconsistencies between the accounts given by the complainants who otherwise presented as compelling witnesses. Further questions raised of other witnesses during the trial created additional doubt as to whether the witnesses were correctly identifying Francesca’s client as their abuser as opposed to someone else. Francesca also led evidence from defence witnesses who could attest to the improbability that the defendant had the opportunity to commit the persistent offences he was accused of.
The defendant, who suffered from autism, ADHD and verbal dyspraxia gave evidence with the assistance of an intermediary. Closing submissions were made on the unusual basis that the complainants were honest, but mistaken witnesses, with Francesca highlighting the inconsistencies that were revealed during the trial process.
Francesca’s client was acquitted of all counts, following a trial lasting eight days.
Francesca is a criminal practitioner who has developed a significant practice in complex fraud, conspiracy, confiscation and regulatory work over the last twenty-seven years, whilst maintaining her expertise in cases involving serious sexual, violence and drugs offences. Francesca both defends and prosecutes, and also undertakes work on behalf of a number of local authorities in pursuing the more complex regulatory prosecutions. Francesca is recognised in the Legal 500 for her work in crime and was appointed as a Recorder in 2019.
