In 2018 our client, a 50 year old husband, father and successful businessman, was charged with two counts of indecently dealing with a child under 13 years of age. The child was the 12 year old daughter of his life-long best friend, with whom he shared a close father-daughter bond. He was increasingly becoming uncomfortable with the child’s attention and attachment towards him, which compelled him to have an awkward but necessary conversation with her to set boundaries. It was following that conversation that the allegations of indecent dealing arose.
Our client followed best practice and contacted us immediately following his arrest – and prior to police attempts to conduct an interview – to secure crucial legal advice. Our client laboured under the stress of the allegations and uncertainty of the criminal process for two years, which, in addition to the risk of immediate imprisonment, included the life changing prospect of being subject to stringent reporting obligations for the next 15 years.
Our meticulous preparation of the defence case significantly contributed to the outcome at a four day District Court trial, in which a jury unanimously found our client not guilty of the charges. Our client left the Court room innocent of the allegations which he had consistently denied and which had drastically eroded his quality of life for the previous two years.Words: 234NormalSeptember 2020
