Our sexual offence solicitors in Oxford specialise in representing individuals accused of sexual offences at every stage of an investigation or prosecution. We are ranked as a leading Tier 1 firm in the Legal 500 and are regularly sought due to our established reputation for securing not guilty verdicts and no further action decisions for their clients in serious sexual offence cases.
We have the largest and most experienced specialist sexual offence team based in Oxfordshire and have a proven record of defending people from all walks of life. Our team’s experience gives us detailed insight into the courts, magistrates, judges and prosecutors in Oxfordshire, allowing us to use that knowledge to a client’s advantage in both case strategy and advocacy.
We can represent people in investigations for sexual offences of all descriptions. These include:
- Rape
- Historic offences
- Sexual Assault
- Sexual Communication with a Child
- Possession of indecent images
- Abuse of position of trust allegations (for example, doctor-patient or teacher-pupil)
- Indecent Exposure & Outraging public decency
- Revenge porn Matters
- Extreme Porn
For immediate assistance, contact our Oxford sexual offence solicitors by calling 0333 240 7373 or email [email protected] or send an enquiry through our contact form.
Representation at Every Stage
Our Oxford Sexual Offences Team specialises in proactively defending people who are under investigation by Thames Valley Police for sexual offences. With so much at stake, it is essential to consider every possible angle when seeking to prevent a prosecution. We carefully identify potential defence evidence, including text messages and wider witness material, and analyse weaknesses in the prosecution case. We have an outstanding track record in submitting detailed written representations to the investigating officer, resulting in cases being dropped at an early stage.
Whether you have been interviewed and bailed to return to the police station, or released under investigation, we offer clear fixed-fee packages covering:
- Representation at any re-interview at the police station in Oxfordshire.
- Review of your initial police interview, with advice on any further action required
- Assessment of potential defence evidence.
- Assistance with identifying and gathering defence evidence that has not been pursued or has been overlooked by the police.
- Preparation of written representations to the police, for example to challenge weak evidence or to seek an out-of-court outcome such as a caution, where appropriate, supported by relevant mitigating factors including mental health difficulties, OCD, or neurodiversity.
- Direct communication with the investigating officer, including updates on bail extensions.
- Applications to vary or remove bail conditions where necessary.
- Practical guidance on proactive steps to prepare for possible outcomes and to protect your position.
The police often request a voluntary interview in historic sexual allegations, where an arrest is not necessary in order to secure evidence. Due to the serious nature of sexual offences, we strongly advise you to obtain legal representation for any voluntary interview.
When instructed, we seek to obtain disclosure from the investigating officer about the allegation in advance. A pre-interview conference with your solicitor before attending the police station can significantly reduce understandable anxiety and help ensure you are properly prepared.
We regularly attend interviews across Oxfordshire, including at;
- St Aldates Police Station.
- Abingdon Police Station.
- Banbury Police Station.
- Bicester Police Station.
- Witney Police Station.
- Didcot Police Station.
For more information – see our service page for Voluntary Police Interviews in Oxfordshire
Every sexual offence prosecution in Oxfordshire begins with an initial appearance at Oxford Magistrates’ Court, the principal Magistrates’ Court serving the region.
We have decades of experience in representing clients at Oxford Magistrates’ Court and have developed important relationships with local court staff, Magistrates and Judges.
Early and proactive instruction allows us to obtain the court papers well in advance of the first hearing and to review the evidence thoroughly. This ensures proper preparation from the outset, reduces the understandable anxiety of attending court, and places clients in the strongest possible position as the case progresses.
Whether your case is sent to the Crown Court for sentence or trial, we provide expert representation throughout the proceedings. We work with many leading barristers’ chambers serving Oxfordshire, ensuring our clients are represented by genuine sexual offence specialists.
The way Oxford Crown Court operates means that sexual offence trials are heard by a limited number of judges. Our familiarity with the court and its practices allows preparation to be tailored to the approach and expectations of the judge dealing with the case.
We offer a full range of representation options, from experienced in-house advocates and junior counsel through to leading King’s Counsel. This allows us to select the barrister whose expertise, advocacy style, and level of seniority best match your case and budget.
RvB – Rape and Sexual Assault – charges dropped pre-charge
We represented a man of good character accused of rape by his wife during a relationship breakdown involving child custody issues. He denied the allegation in interview at Abingdon Police Station. Further unsubstantiated allegations of rape and sexual assault were later made. Through pre-charge engagement and analysis of phone evidence, messages and videos, we demonstrated that the allegations were false and that the acts were consensual. The case was dropped.
RvF – Student Sexual Assault Allegations – Not guilty on appeal
We represented a youth on appeal at Oxford Crown Court following a conviction for sexual assault. Through expert psychological evidence and by successfully challenging the credibility of the complainant’s account, the appeal succeeded and the conviction was quashed.
RvE – Not Guilty of Sexual Assault by Penetration
We represented a young man of good character who was accused by a friend of sexually assaulting him by penetration while he slept. Our client denied the allegation and the matter proceeded to trial at Oxford Crown Court. After a three-day trial, our client was found not guilty and his good character remained intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reeds Solicitors have the most experienced sexual offences team in Oxfordshire. Our team includes senior solicitors, Partners and in-house barristers all specifically trained in dealing with serious sexual offences.
Yes, we have the largest specialist sexual offence team based in Oxfordshire, consisting of 3 Senior Solicitors, 3 Partners and 2 in house barristers that all specialise in sexual offences.
Senior Partner and Leading Individual in the Legal 500, Stuart Matthews, is widely regarded as the leading sexual offence solicitor in Oxfordshire. He has been recognised as a Leading Individual in the Legal 500 for five consecutive years and is also ranked Band 1 (Top) in Chambers & Partners. Stuart has represented individuals in some of the country’s most serious and high-profile sexual offence cases, including the ‘Asian Grooming Gangs’ prosecutions at the Old Bailey and Oxford Crown Court (Operation Bullfinch and Operation Nautical), as well as acting for Barry Bennell, one of the most serious sexual offenders in UK history.
Lucy Tapper is a leading sexual offence barrister in Oxfordshire. She regularly represents individuals standing trial for serious sexual offences, including rape and sexual assault, in the Crown Court, and is highly respected at Oxford Crown Court.
Not necessarily. If your case proceeds to the Crown Court, a barrister will usually be required to represent you at trial. During a police investigation, there can be advantages to involving a barrister, as they have detailed insight into how cases are likely to be presented and tested at trial, which can add valuable perspective to pre-charge advice.
At Reeds, Dana Bilan and Lucy Tapper act as in-house counsel, providing expert barrister-level advice to our clients. However, a Senior Solicitor or Partner can also provide robust, effective advice and work proactively to seek to have a case resolved without the need for court proceedings.
Costs vary depending on the work required and the stage the case has reached. As a minimum, we recommend an initial meeting with a specialist sexual offence solicitor to review your case. This may involve providing a second opinion where advice has already been given, or assessing the evidence and advising on the strengths and weaknesses of the case where we are instructed from the outset. From that point, we can offer fixed-fee packages or hourly rates, with payment by agreed instalments where appropriate to help manage costs. While we always seek to offer value for money, it should be acknowledged that we are a specialist team providing a high level of representation in Oxfordshire, and our fees reflect both our expertise and our track record in serious sexual offence cases.
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