Prosecution offer no evidence in rape and stalking case

LF was charged on a two-count indictment alleging rape and stalking. The allegations were made by his ex-partner who contended that she had been raped by him at her flat, and that during the course of the rape he had urinated inside of her. Following this, he was arrested and placed on bail conditions not to contact her. The stalking charge arose from subsequent contact between the parties. The matter was set down for a s.28 hearing. Both LF and the complainant required an intermediary.

Following extensive review of the evidence and unused material, as well as targeted disclosure requests, Violet was able to highlight the large number of inconsistencies in the complainant’s evidence as well as material giving rise to multiple successful non-defendant bad character applications. Following receipt of the detailed pre-prepared s.28 cross examination questions and the defence bundle and in light of the disclosure obtained, the Crown concluded that there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction on either count and offered no evidence against LF on the day of the s.28 hearing. Formal verdicts of not guilty were recorded.

Violet was instructed to represent LF by Stephanie Mavromatis of Sperrin Law.