Archive: Criminal Defence
Truck Driver Acquitted by Jury of the Importation of £11.2 Million of Cocaine after Crown Court Trial
This driver, represented in the Crown Court by barrister Simon Clarke, was acquitted after a 4 day trial in the Crown Court after being charged with the importation of 140 kilos of cocaine that was found in his truck. The Jury was back in 50 minutes with a not guilty […]
Driver acquitted of money laundering charges in France
This driver was charged with money laundering and failing to declare more than €10,000.00, following French authorities discovering 9,000 in the vehicle and a further €9,500 in a concealed compartment in the vehicle. SBC instructed French lawyers and at court, the driver was acquitted of all charges.
Prosecution Offer No Evidence Against Defendant Without a Viable Defence
This defendant, represented in the Crown Court by barrister Harry Bowyer, was charged with assaulting an emergency worker. He had been charged with a motoring offence (hence SBC involvement) and was being booked in at the Police Station. The defendant had told the arresting officers and the custody sergeant that […]
Operator Dealt With by Fine of Only £250.00 For Two Offences Involving Photocopied Operator Licence Discs
This operator, represented by barrister, Millicent Dooher, was facing prosecution for 2 offences of making and possessing a document closely resembling an Operator’s Licence disc, namely a photocopy of the authorised discs. This matter is an either way offence: if dealt with at the Crown Court, it carries up to […]
Driver Escapes with an £820 Fine for an 80% Overload
Millicent Dooher, barrister, represented this driver at his sentencing hearing before the Magistrates’ Court following a guilty plea to an overloading offence. The vehicle was a 3.5 tonne vehicle, overloaded by 80%. The fines for these offences are unlimited. Millicent was able to convince the Magistrates to deal with this […]
No Prison for Death by Careless Driving
This defendant, represented in the Magistrates Court by barrister, Harry Bowyer, rolled his car on the way back from the pub, killing his back seat passenger. There were no aggravating features and the defendant was in the bottom sentencing category. Under the new sentencing guidelines this still leaves a starting […]
Company Escapes with £3,600 Fine Following 92% Overload
Barrister, Millicent Dooher, represented this Company at their hearing in the Magistrates’ Court. The Company had been charged with an overloading offence, with the vehicle overloaded by 92%. The Magistrates accepted the mitigation put forward by Millicent on behalf of the Company and imposed a total fine of £3,600.00. Overloading […]
Driver Accused of Card Pulling Acquitted after Trial on 4 false record charges.
This driver, represented in the Magistrates’ Court by Millicent Dooher, was charged with 4 separate false record offences, one allegation being that no card was inserted and three being card pulling allegations. The Magistrates considered all the evidence and agreed that the DVSA could not make out the charges. The […]
DVSA Take no Action on False Record Offences after Representations by SBC
Laura Newton represented a HGV driver, who was invited to an interview under caution in respect of suspected tachograph false record offences. In taking instructions and gathering evidence to present at interview, we were able to persuade the DVSA investigating officer that there were real questions about the reliability of […]
Driver with 33 False Records Escapes Immediate Imprisonment at Crown Court
This driver, represented at the Crown Court by barrister Harry Bowyer, managed to acquire two driver cards which he used to extend his driver’s hours in order to try to save his failing business. He pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had taken particular care not to corrupt his […]