Quentin Hunt recently represented a Mr. MR who was accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to section 47 of the Offences Against a Person Act 1861. Quentin's client had been involved in a fight outside a nightclub in Maidstone in 2022. The police had taken a long time to investigate and prosecute the matter, and the court, and the case eventually came to Court. 

Quentin's client worked for a large American Investment Bank and could not afford to have a criminal conviction against his name as it would have resulted in his being dismissed from his  job and the loss of his livelihood. He instructed Quentin Hunt to represent his interests on a direct public access basis . Quentin immediately had a conference with Mr. MR and ascertained the detailed issues in the case and the background to the matter. He then made a detailed series of written representations to the Crown Prosecution Service that the case was neither in the public interest nor met the evidential test for prosecution. Sadly, the Crown Prosecution Service did not agree with Quentin's representations and the matter proceeded to the court system. 

Following a long period of delays, the matter reached the Maidstone Crown Court for trial. In the interim period, Quentin had continued to lobby the Crown Prosecution Service that the case should not continue. When the case reached court for trial, Quentin launched a technical argument that the complainant in the case was not able to give evidence from a foreign jurisdiction due to the fact that the mutual assistance provisions that are mandatory in such cases had not been met. As a result of pressure from these submissions, and the cumulative effect of Quentin's previous submissions, the Crown Prosecution Service felt that they were not able to continue the prosecution and on the first day of Mr MR's trial they offered no evidence in the case. This meant that a formal verdict of not guilty was entered by the court in Quentin's client's case and he left without a blemish on his name. Quentin’s client was naturally delighted.

Quentin Hunt is a criminal defence barrister who specialises in dealing with cases of assault in the Crown Court and has done so for over 25 years. He firmly believes that the best way to win a case is to prevent it coming to trial in the first place and is well known for his robust and effective representations to the Crown Prosecution Service. 

If you find yourself facing a criminal allegation then you may contact Quentin for a free no-obligation discussion about how he may be able to assist in your case. Quentin accepts instructions both through solicitors and direct from members of the public.