Offer of No Evidence for Vulnerable Client

We represented an extremely vulnerable individual who has a history of mental health issues and suicide attempts. She had been charged with one count of assault on an emergency worker and one count of criminal damage to the inside of an ambulance.

At the time of the incident our client had gone missing and was found unconscious on the side of the road by a member of the public, with visible self-harm injuries. Upon being placed into an ambulance, she regained consciousness and was immediately disorientated and afraid leading to her committing the offences as alleged. Despite her clear vulnerabilities, a decision to charge was authorised.

Our client was of good character with intentions of becoming a teacher and a conviction would have greatly affected her future career prospects.

Having obtained vast amounts of background medical information, we instructed a psychologist to prepare a psychological report. We then submitted lengthy representations, drafted by Poppy Ingall, asking the Crown to review the decision to prosecute. The Crown Prosecution Service subsequently made the decision to discontinue the charges against our client.