Benjamin Donnell successfully argues that there is no case to answer in S.18 Torture Trial.

Mr Donnell represented the lead Defendant in a 6-day trial before Ms Recorder Sellars at Hull Crown Court. The Defendants were charged with S.18 Wounding and were alleged to have jointly tortured a vulnerable female to retrieve a drug debt owed. The Crown’s case was that the Defendants tortured the Complainant by stabbing her, kicking her to the head and body, pouring boiling water over her, strangling, waterboarding and pouring bleach and acetone down her throat.

Mr Donnell led the charge by cross-examining the Complainant and secured an admission from her that she had fabricated evidence in order to make it look like his client was involved in the assault. The Crown’s case further centred around identification parades and forensic evidence. The Defence successfully showed that the Police could not rule out the possibility that the crime scene had been contaminated thus casting doubt upon the reliability of the evidence. The Defendants disputed their involvement in the assault and challenged the credibility of the evidence against them.

Following cross-examination of the Complainant and the Officer responsible for the investigation, Mr Donnell persuaded the Court that there was no case to answer. The Judge directed the Jury to return verdicts of not guilty.

Benjamin Donnell was instructed by Asad Khan of Hussain Solicitors.

To read more about Benjamin Donnell and his criminal law practice, visit his profile here.

To instruct Mr Donnell call 01482 014658 or email clerks@crown-chambers.com.