EncroChat acquittal at the Central Criminal Court

Richard Thomas and Peta-Louise Bagott secured the acquittal of their client, alleged by the prosecution to be a contract killer. He was acquitted of conspiracy to murder after a ten week trial at the Central Criminal Court.

The case centred on evidence obtained by law enforcement agencies' successfully accessing to the EncroChat network.

The prosecution case was that the defendant was the​ ‘hit man’ hired by gang members in Turkey to kill a rival in London. It was said that the criminality was both serious and sophisticated, involving the use of encrypted handsets and ready access to numerous firearms. 

The evidence included covert recordings of another defendant providing what was said to be a narrative that implicated others. This led to extensive legal argument about the admissibility of acts of declarations in furtherance of a conspiracy.

Richard and Peta-Louise were instructed by Eddie Tang at IBB Solicitors.