Prosecution offer no evidence in PWITS case following Modern Slavery Defence

MA, a vulnerable young person who had been repeatedly exploited into criminal activity, was charged with five counts of being concerned in the supply of drugs, as well as handling stolen goods and fraudulently using a vehicle licence. The circumstances of the offending were as follows: following the murder of MA’s friend, who was in debt to a local gang, the debt was passed to MA. He was then forced to work in various trap houses in order to repay that debt. He suffered threats to his and his family’s safety and lives.

The defence recognised the concerns at the inception of the case and a successful bail application was made, enabling ease of communication with the client. Careful case preparation, including service of a number of detailed reports - a psychiatric report, an intermediary report, a child psychologist report and a modern slavery report - in addition to the positive conclusive grounds decision from the SCA provided a clear picture. Taken together, the evidence demonstrated that MA was a victim of exploitation. The Crown subsequently offered no evidence on all counts, allowing MA to move forward with his life.

Violet was instructed and expertly assisted by Phoebe Coleman of SMW.