Nicholas Maggs success in GBH trial 

Nicholas Maggs, instructed by Louise Scott of Hallinans, secured a unanimous acquittal for his client, who faced an allegation of s.18 GBH with intent, following a week long trial at Wood Green Crown Court.

Nich’s client, a grandfather in his 50s in long-term employment, was accused of head-butting and then glassing a man during an altercation in a central London pub.  The complainant alleged that the defendant had become aggressive and abusive after the complainant had been looking at the defendant’s friend, and had then head-butted the complainant before smashing a glass into his face causing deep wounds and lacerations.  The complainant’s account was corroborated by five eye-witnesses, as well as other witnesses who saw the aftermath of the assault.  The incident was also partially captured by CCTV within the pub.

Nich’s client denied that he had head-butted the complainant, but accepted that he had punched the complainant whilst holding a glass, thereby breaking it in his face. He said that he had forgotten he was holding the glass at the time. Whilst he admitted that he was guilty of a s.20 GBH offence (GBH without intent), he disputed the evidence of the witnesses and denied that the ‘glassing’ was deliberate or that he intended to cause the serious injuries.

Following Nich’s extensive cross-examination of the prosecution witnesses, and careful analysis of the CCTV evidence, the jury unanimously acquitted Nich’s client of the s.18 offence.