Stalking Allegation Dropped Before Trial

Quentin Hunt achieves a not guilty result for client in serious stalking case at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Quentin is an expert criminal defnece barrister who is an expert in such cases and has published informative articles on Harassment Act offences and stalking protection orders

AG, an ex-police officer, was accused of the offence of stalking, involving serious alarm or distress contrary to section 4A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 . A complaint had been made to police that AG had stalked her ex-partner by sending him unwanted letter, turning up to his workplace uninvited, placing a tracking device on his car and following him, as well as hiring a private investigator to monitor him and his new girlfriend.

AG contested the matter, although it was accepted that certain events had taken place, it was said that they were misconstrued. and misinterpreted, and that certain aspects of the prosecution case were wrong. Not guilty pleas were entered, and as it was an either-way matter, the case was sent to Chelmsford Crown Court for trial.

AG had previously instructed solicitors and counsel but was unhappy with the way that they were conducting her case, particularly in respect of proactive efforts to get the matter dropped, and therefore instructed Quentin Hunt for the Crown Court trial under the Direct Public Access Scheme (link to Direct Access page).

Upon instruction, Quentin prepared the matter for trial and worked on putting forward an evidentially powerful defence case. Quentin is a great believer in negotiations to try to achieve a not guilty disposal and on the first day of trial, he applied significant pressure to the prosecution to try to ensure that there was a not guilty disposal in the case without a trial.

Following protracted negotiations, the Crown Prosecution Service accepted that the matter would be dropped if AG accepted a caution in respect of the matter. Quentin arranged for the paperwork to be put together, the caution was administered by Police and the case was dropped. No evidence was offered, and a formal not guilty verdict was entered at the Crown Court on NG's behalf.

Quentin Hunt is a criminal defence lawyer who specialises in dealing with serious offences in the Crown Court, including matters of stalking and harassment.

He has an excellent record in helping clients avoid conviction either by negotiation or by winning trials. If you face criminal prosecution, then you can contact Quentin for a free, no-obligation discussion about how he may be able to assist in your case.