Edwards Duthie Shamash achieved a successful outcome for an elderly client who was charged with serious sexual offences. These proceedings were protracted and complicated.

Our client was arrested in 2023 but not tried until 2025. The allegations were strenuously denied. At his trial the Jury were unable to agree. A number of witnesses, including medical experts, were called for the defence. The Prosecution then sought a retrial which was heard in September 2026. By then our client’s cognitive condition had deteriorated to the extent that he was unable to give evidence in his own defence and was declared unfit to stand trial. Notwithstanding this the Prosecution case was again challenged, with the same outcome. A second Jury were also unable to agree on a verdict. At this point the Prosecution decided not to pursue the case any further. They offered no evidence and the Judge entered not guilty verdicts in favour of our client.

This was a welcome outcome for our client and his family who were, understandably, very concerned for his welfare.

Our client was represented throughout by Shaun Murphy, a Partner in Edwards Duthie Shamash. He prepared the case for trial and also acted as the advocate in both the first and second trials.