Case Details
Charges
The defendant faces two indictable offences arising from a vehicular incident:
Count 1: Wounding with Intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (Section 18, Offences against the Person Act 1861).Count 2: Causing Serious Injury by Dangerous Driving.
The Section 18 charge is particularly severe, requiring the prosecution to prove a specific intent to cause really serious harm, rather than mere recklessness.
Situation
The defendant, a taxi driver, was involved in a dispute after three passengers fled his vehicle on a Saturday night without paying the fare. The evidence states that the defendant followed the group in his vehicle to recover payment.
It is alleged that during this pursuit, the defendant's vehicle collided with the victim, lifting him into the air before he landed on the pavement. The prosecution claims the vehicle then left the scene. The victim sustained significant injuries, including a haematoma, head lacerations, and multiple abrasions. The defendant was subsequently arrested by police upon landing at Heathrow Airport.
Defence Strategy
Current Status: Plea & Trial Preparation
The case is currently at the pre-plea stage. The defence team is meticulously examining the CCTV and collision reconstruction evidence.
Our strategy focuses on challenging the "Intent" element of the Section 18 charge. We are constructing a defence that contextualises the incident as a pursuit of a non-paying customer (fare evasion) gone wrong, rather than a malicious, pre-meditated attack. We are also addressing the bail and flight risk concerns raised by the Heathrow arrest.
Outcome
Status: Awaiting PTPH
The defendant is currently awaiting his Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH). Our team, instructing counsel from Rose Court Chambers, is preparing the case statement to contest the gravity of the charges.
Note: As this is an active legal matter, specific details regarding the upcoming trial strategy remain confidential.
