Leicester Crown Court: Not Guilty - Rape, Actual Bodily Harm & Controlling and Coercive Behaviour 2025

Our client, Mr X, appeared in Leicester Crown Court between 25^th February 2025 and 5^th March on charges of rape, actual bodily harm and controlling or coercive behaviour against his now ex-partner. Mr X denied all charges and instructed J D Spicer Zeb on a legal aid basis to prepare his case leading up to trial.

Mr Sanjay Cholera, one our most senior criminal defence solicitors and a Partner at J D Spicer Zeb handled the case. Mr Cholera met with Mr X on several occasions, prepared vast bundles of evidence, liaised with possible defence witnesses and, instructed barrister Mr Jonathan Rosen of 3 Temple Gardens to represent Mr X at trial.

After a seven-day trial, the jury returned a not guilty verdict on all three charges, handing Mr X the best possible outcome. The Court further awarded Mr X a Defence Costs Order meaning that a proportion of Mr X’s defence costs were to be paid using the Court’s central funds.

Having first appeared in Court in connection with these charges in July 2022, this case had taken over Mr X’s day to day life and had heavily restricted him building the relationship he wanted with his children. Thanks to Mr Cholera’s expertise, hard work and dedication, and Mr Rosen’s experience, Mr X is now able to live his life with the burden of this Court case removed from his shoulders.