Sarah successfully defended a man charged with a racially aggravated public order offence and assault of a police officer in a week-long trial at Kingston Crown Court.

In an incident captured on CCTV, the Crown alleged that the Defendant racially abused a taxi driver before punching and strangling the arresting officer. The Defendant was unanimously acquitted of the racially aggravated offence and, after deliberating for two days, the jury was discharged in relation to the assault. The Crown offered no evidence.

The Defendant was sentenced for an unrelated section 20 wounding, having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing. The Crown argued this was a Category 1 offence where a weapon had been used to cause a serious injury to the victim’s face and that the offence was aggravated by the Defendant’s lengthy antecedents and because the offence was committed whilst on bail. Sarah successfully argued it was a Category 3 offence and carefully presented the Defendant’s personal mitigation, leading to the Defendant being sentenced to only 9 months’ imprisonment.

Sarah was instructed by Sarah Moulange at National Legal ServiceSarah is a barrister practising in all areas of criminal law, with a particular focus on criminal defence. She has a busy practice in the Magistrates’ Court and Youth Court and is developing a strong Crown Court practice too. Sarah also accepts instructions in family and regulatory work.