Justin Hugheston-Roberts successfully secured the acquittal of a 22-year-old Vietnamese man following a four-day jury trial at Birmingham Crown Court, involving allegations of possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B controlled drugs.
The defendant was arrested while travelling having been found in a vehicle alongside another individual. The vehicle was found to contain substantial quantities of Class A and B controlled drugs, together with a significant amount of cash, including a suitcase containing approximately £13,000 worth of cannabis.
Throughout the proceedings, the defendant maintained that he had no knowledge of the drugs or the vehicle. The case proceeded to trial, where the jury was required to consider issues of knowledge, association, and the evidential basis for criminal liability in circumstances involving multiple defendants.
Following the conclusion of the four-day trial, the jury took less than one hour to reach its verdict. The defendant was acquitted on all counts, while the co-accused was convicted on all charges.
The acquitted defendant had spent several months in custody prior to trial and did not speak English. Upon acquittal, he was discharged.
Justin Hugheston-Roberts was instructed by JD Solicitors West Midlands.
This article is published to acknowledge counsel’s professional involvement in the proceedings.
