There has been a huge increase in the number of sexual offence cases being prosecuted. Many of these cases gain a lot of publicity in the media. This has made an already sensitive area of law even more so, increasing the stigma for those accused and leaving people fearing how they would defend themselves against the allegations made.
At Reeds we have a proven record of defending people from all walks of life. We deal with investigations for sexual offences of all descriptions. These include:
- Possession of indecent images
- Rape and serious sexual abuse
- Historic offences
- Familial allegations
- Allegations involving a breach of a relationship of professional trust (doctor/patient, teacher/pupil etc.).
- Indecent Exposure
- Prostitution related offences
- Sexual Assault
- Sexual Communication with a Child
- Outraging public decency / Sexual activity in a public place (i.e. public lavatory).
- Revenge Porn Matters
We are a Legal 500 Tier 1 solicitors’ firm. Our team of solicitors are regularly sought out based on their established reputation for defending sexual allegations and securing acquittals for their clients in high profile cases.
Defending cases of a sexual nature requires a particular skill set and experience, not only in terms of case preparation and presentation but also in terms of client care. Those accused need to know that they have support, expert knowledge, and guidance, which our team provides at every stage in proceedings. We make it as easy as we can for you to talk openly and freely about difficult subject-matter, listening without judgement and letting you know what to expect, when to expect it and advising how best to approach it.
To discuss your individual situation and requirements, contact our specialist sexual offence solicitors through the contact information on this page, or send an enquiry through our contact us page here.
How Can Our Sexual Offence Solicitors Help You With Your Case?
A Pro-Active Defence Against Sexual Offence Allegations
It is essential to receive legal advice early and take a proactive approach to your defence. This involves early investigation stage engagement with the officers and prosecution to draw their attention to evidence that supports the defence. This may include:
- Text messages,
- Emails and other forms of electronic communication
- Social media evidence
- CCTV
- Medical evidence
- Expert reports
- Further witness details and witness statements
It may also include letters of representations to the officer on the weakness of the complaint against you. The aim of this pro-active early engagement is to demonstrate that the evidence is not strong, and the case should not be prosecuted. However, if the case is taken further, it ensures you are in the best position possible going forward.
Police Station Advice
It is vital that the right advice is given at the Police station – this will often be critical in determining the future progression of the case. Often sexual offences involve voluntary interviews or ‘re-interviews’, and it is important you are fully prepared for them as they could be used as evidence against you. Once again, early engagement with specialist sexual offences solicitor is necessary to put you in the best position possible.
Representations
Investigation stage engagement also includes letters of representations to the officer on the weakness of the complaint against you. The aim of this pro-active early engagement is to demonstrate that the evidence is not strong, and the case should not be prosecuted. However, if the case is taken further, it ensures you are in the best position possible going forward.
Post-Charge Engagement
If you are prosecuted for a sexual offence you will need to be in contact with a solicitor regularly, one that you can trust and you can comfortably discuss sensitive topics. We take detailed instructions in order to fully prepare your case.
It is important no stone is left unturned in preparation of your defence. Case preparation for sexual offences routinely involves the instruction of experts in the following expertise:
- Forensic experts
- DNA experts
- Private investigators / Enquiry Agents
- Digital forensic experts
- Toxicologists
- Psychiatrists and Psychologists
- CCTV analysts / Enhancers
At Reeds, we have extensive connections to the leading experts in the industry and regularly instruct them to help build your defence.
Crown Court Representation
Many Sexual offences are heard in the Crown Court due to the nature and seriousness of the offences. As such, in order to provide the highest level of representation a client is allocated a senior litigator and Counsel.
At Reeds we offer a unique service where clients have the choice of instructed in house senior counsel or independent counsel. We assist you every step of the way in ensuring you get the right representation for you. You will have regular contact with your counsel and litigator to ensure you are always kept up to date with the progression of your defence.
A Top-Tier Defence
For individuals that wish to instruct the highest level of representation, We also have extensive connections to well regarded Queens Counsel (Silk) to ensure you have a top tier defence at your disposal. Queens Counsel can work alongside us to write representations, skeleton arguments and disclosure documents in an attempt to prove your innocence before a matter gets to a court room. If it does proceed to a trial, you could not be in better hands.
How To Get in Touch
If you have had the misfortune to have been accused of a sexual offence, do not hesitate to contact us. Provide us with your details, and we will contact you discreetly, as soon as possible.
Notable Cases
RvT (2021)
Scott Primmer of Reeds Solicitors LLP secures no further action for a student accused of rape.
Operation Nautical – Reeds are delighted to be able to report three more successes in defending ‘grooming ring’ allegations, following the extraordinary results in “Operation Nautical” 1 and 2. After a 3 month trial, ‘J’, represented by our Oxford based Head of Chambers and Lisa Wilding QC of Furnival Chambers, was unanimously acquitted of all charges.
RvM (2021)
Scott Primmer of Reeds Solicitors LLP secures No Further action for an Oxford University student accused of sexual assault. We also successfully defended him at his university disciplinary proceedings.
Anon (2020)
Reeds secure acquittal for client facing offences. Our client faced a week-long trial on a 13-count indictment for historic sex offences including rape, assault by penetration, and sexual activity with a child
