Mahmud Aslam, instructed by Chloe Turner of Vienna Kang Advocates (Birmingham), secured acquittals on allegations of Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs and Possession of Criminal Property at Warwick Crown Court.
The case involved several kilos of cocaine and heroin. Class A drugs had been found in the vehicle driven by the defendant who was already under surveillance. The Prosecution alleged that the evidence showed that the defendant had been involved in several trips of delivery and collection of drugs and cash. In somewhat unusual facts and circumstances, the defendant, who had initially entered Not Guilty pleas to allegations relating to drugs, had changed his pleas to Guilty, despite there being a clear defence upon his initial instructions to Solicitors. The defendant subsequently sought, with new solicitors, to change and vacate his pleas and in addition waived legal privilege. As a result, the court required previous Defence Counsel and the relevant Solicitor to attend to give oral evidence.
Scrutiny of court records and documents by the defendants newly instructed Solicitors and Counsel, indicated inconsistencies with regard to the previous solicitors’ evidence. After hearing the witnesses and submissions from Mahmud, the Learned Judge allowed the pleas to be vacated and the trial commenced.
During the trial the defendant was allowed the use of an intermediary, and he maintained the lack of knowledge on the several trips he had made for a co-defendant, who had been dealing in the supply of up to 64 kilos of Class A drugs.
The Defendant was acquitted unanimously by the Jury. The co defendant was convicted and another third defendant had previously pleaded Guilty.
Mahmud’s full profile: https://greatjames.co.uk/members/mahmud-aslam/
To instruct Mahmud, please contact the clerking team at clerks@greatjames.co.uk or on 0207 440 4949.