Not Guilty Domestic Violence Allegation Willesden Magistrates Court

JD Spicer Zeb represented Mr A on a private basis, who had been accused of domestic assault against his wife. Mr A was alleged to have pushed his wife and to have bitten his wife’s lip, causing her injury. Our client’s case was that he vehemently denied the offence. Mr A's defence was that he had a verbal argument with his wife but did not assault her as alleged. This was an acrimonious separation where false allegations were being made. We prepared the case thoroughly for trial, analysing the prosecution case. 

On the 20th February 2025 at Willesden Magistrates Court, JD Spicer Zeb represented Mr A at his trial, prepared to put forward his defence. However, the complainant did not attend court. The prosecution applied for an adjournment and requested a witness summons be issued for the complainant. The solicitor attending on behalf of Mr A, Mr Sanjay Cholera, one of our most experienced criminal defence solicitors, made strong submissions opposing this application.

The Magistrates found in favour of our submissions. They refused the prosecution application as they ruled it was not in the interest of justice to grant an adjournment nor issue a witness summons. The trial then proceeded, and, in the absence of the complainant, the prosecution offered no evidence, and a formal not guilty verdict was entered in favour of Mr A.

The Court then granted the defence application for a Defence Cost Order to pay Mr A's legal costs, and Mr A was able to leave the Court fully vindicated, having achieved the best outcome possible.