Successful appeal against conviction

Violet Smart successfully represented GM who had been convicted of breach of a restraining order.

It was alleged that GM had intentionally entered an area where the complainant was likely to be, and had spoken deliberate words to her, in contravention of the conditions imposed. Neither presence nor the words were disputed; the defence argued that this was a chance encounter and the words said were not capable of forming a breach; and in the alternative, there was a reasonable excuse for them. Following a full-day hearing, the Crown Court allowed the appeal.

Violet was instructed by Rosie Worster of Commons Law.