Andrew Gurney represented S in a multi‑count indictment alleging historic and recent sexual offences said to have occurred over a number of years

Andrew Gurney represented S in a multi‑count indictment alleging historic and recent sexual offences said to have occurred over a number of years. The charges included rape of a child under 13, inciting sexual activity with a child, and sexual activity with a child aged 15. The case involved a substantial volume of historic evidence, family‑background material, and digital communications.

A central feature of the prosecution case was a series of digital messages said to contain admissions or confessions by the defendant. The defence position was that these messages were not confessions at all, and that their meaning had been misinterpreted when taken out of context. Through careful cross‑examination and detailed analysis of the digital material, the defence demonstrated that the messages were ambiguous, inconsistent with the complainant’s account, and incapable of bearing the interpretation advanced by the prosecution.

Following a fully contested trial, the jury acquitted S of Counts 1 to 6. The jury were unable to reach a verdict on Count 7 and were discharged. After reviewing the case, the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that it would not seek a retrial, bringing the proceedings to an end.

The case required meticulous preparation, scrutiny of unused material, and a structured presentation of the defence case. With particular thanks to Suzanne Mugford at Fylde Law for her expertise and handling of this case.

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