Mr BA was a successful jeweller who operated out of the Hatton Garden area in London. Following an argument with his wife, he was arrested by police and faced a multitude of allegations including: 

• threats to kill contrary to section 16 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861
• controlling and coercive behaviour contrary to section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015
• criminal damage contrary to section 1 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971, and
• non-fatal strangulation section 70 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. 

Mr BA was terrified of the potential consequences of any conviction, not only in respect of his impeccable reputation but also because he travelled on a frequent basis to the USA for business and was concerned that this could be curtailed if he had a criminal record. 

Mr BA chose to instruct Mr Quentin Hunt, a criminal defence barrister, on a direct public access basis before charge. Upon instructing Quentin, a detailed conference took place in which Quentin was able to ascertain the detailed facts of the case and establish what BA said about the allegations made against him. As a result of this conference, Quentin made representations to the officer who is in charge of the case that none of the allegations bore any scrutiny when examined in detail, that the account put forward by his client was credible and that no further action should be taken in respect of all matters. 

The representations were considered by the police and the police agreed with Quentin on three out of the four charges. As a result, no further action was taken on the allegations of threats to kill, controlling and coercive behaviour, and criminal damage. Mr BA was, however, charged with an allegation of non-fatal strangulation contrary to section 70 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. 

The matter proceeded to court and Quentin continued to make representations that the case should not continue. Particularly, Quentin made representations that the evidence in the case was not sufficient to gain a conviction and that the prosecution’s intent to rely upon the res gestae exception to the rule against hearsay under s118 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 was fatally flawed. 

Shortly before Mr BA’s trial the prosecution wrote to Quentin informing him that they no longer felt that they had sufficient evidence to gain a conviction and that they were discontinuing the case against Quentin’s client and that all conditions of bail were dropped. The case therefore ended with no adverse findings against Mr BA, who maintained his good character. 

Quentin Hunt is a criminal defence barrister of vast experience who believes that getting cases dropped before trial is the quickest, least stressful, and most cost-effective method of winning criminal litigation. He will always pursue this for his clients, and has an excellent record of success. He accepts instructions both through solicitors and directly from members of the public, and he will take a case on from any stage in the process, including pre-charge. If you find yourself under investigation or facing prosecution for a criminal case, you may contact Quentin for a free, no-obligation discussion about how he may assist in your case.