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Louise Sweet KC’s client acquitted of rapes

Cases 23 Jan 25

Louise Sweet KC, instructed by Ali Hussain at AHS Law Solicitors, represented X, who was acquitted by the jury of rape after Louise successfully challenged the prosecution’s DNA and identification evidence at trial.

The allegation related to two counts of rape on a complainant at a music event.  Three years after the attack, the complainant was in a nightclub in London and recognised X and pointed him out to her friend as being the man that had raped her 3 years earlier.  The police were called and X was arrested.  He strongly denied being the attacker.  Forensic comparisons of DNA samples from the underwear of the complainant proved a match for X. 

A site visit to the scene of the alleged attack revealed an unusual rickety spiral staircase as a route to the VIP room where X accepted that he was working as security at the relevant time and where the complainant had visited before she was raped in the nearby toilet. 

During the trial, Louise exposed a potential for cross-contamination of the DNA evidence in the case.  She also advanced legal arguments which resulted in strong legal directions being given to the jury about police failures to retain exhibits and also to the police’s failure to hold an identification parade.   At the conclusion of the trial, the jury acquitted X on all counts.


Cases | 23 Jan 25

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