Man acquitted of repeatedly drugging and raping his former partner

MS, who instructed Sarah Elliott KC and Erim Mushtaq on a privately funded basis was acquitted of all counts following a two-week trial at Leeds Crown Court. MS was accused of repeatedly raping his former partner whilst she was asleep as well as sexually assaulting her multiple times over a period of 8 months while she slept. MS who had been a high-ranking specialist in encryption services at a bank was also accused of administering a poisonous or noxious substance and administering a substance with intent to overpower or stupefy so as to engage in sexual activity by secreting sleeping tablets into raspberries, green tea and chocolate cake to be consumed by the complainant. The allegation of drugging was witnessed by the complainant’s 13-year-old son.

The evidence against MS included a recent complaint, damaging text messages, evidence from MS’s son, several audio recordings of MS admitting the acts alleged which the prosecution deployed as evidence of confession, and multiple recordings of the contaminated fruit.

The jury acquitted MS in 3 hours.

Sarah Elliott KC and Erim Mushtaq were instructed by Rizwana Mahmood and Kamran Hussain of Whiterose Blackmans Solicitors, specialists in serious crime.