Judge refuses the Metropolitan Police’s application for a Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order (STRO)

Laura Stockdale was instructed to represent TA, aged 24, following his conviction for two drugs conspiracies for which he is serving a 14 year imprisonment sentence. 

The Metropolitan Police applied for a Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order (STRO) on the basis there was a risk TA would be involved in county lines drug dealing and the trafficking of children upon his release. 

Laura Stockdale successfully opposed the imposition of an STRO, arguing that the order was not necessary since TA was serving a long custodial sentence and had made positive progress towards rehabilitation, as well as the imposition of licence conditions when released on parole.

The case involved review of voluminous evidence and disclosure from the earlier criminal trial, as well as extensive legal argument on the approach to the imposition of ancillary orders on young offenders serving long custodial sentences. 

Laura Stockdale was instructed by Claire Bostock of Birds Solicitors.