Omran Belhadi secures acquittal in fraud trial

Omran Belhadi represented PC in a fraud trial for one count of fraud by false representation and one count of possession of an article for use in fraud. PC claimed he was under duress to perform the fraud by false representation and the article found inside his flat did not belong to him.

Through careful cross-examination Omran exposed the serious failings in the police investigation. The police failed to follow up on information that might have helped PC’s defence of duress. Key information showing PC had called the police twice at the time of the alleged offending was only provided on the first day of trial. Evidence linking a violent criminal to PC at the time of the alleged offence was only provided after repeated insistence by the defence team. Police officers failed to accurately fill out the record of the search of PC’s flat.

The jury returned a verdict of not guilty on count of possession of an article. They were unable to come to a verdict on the count of fraud by false representation and were discharged.

Omran was instructed by Michelle Mattis at Christob Solicitors.