David Toal secures acquittal for client on wide range of serious charges

February 14, 2019

David Toal from Exchange Chambers has secured an acquittal for a man charged with a range of serious offences.

David represented one of seven Defendants charged with offences of False Imprisonment, Kidnap and Possessing a Firearm.

The Defendants were said to be part of a drug-dealing gang who had taken the victim off the street by force to a house where he was assaulted and threatened with a firearm and knife over a lengthy period of time. The alleged crimes were said to be a punishment for the victim allegedly robbing one of the gang’s drug runners.

David’s client denied being involved in such a plan and whilst he accepted being at the house with the other Defendants and the victim, he denied the presence of any firearm and denied that the victim was threatened or assaulted in any way.

After a five week trial, and jury deliberations lasting over a week, David’s client was one of only two that were found not guilty of all charges. The other five defendants were all convicted of all charges.

David was instructed by Rachel Murphy of Burton Copeland.

David is a specialist criminal barrister of over 20 years’ experience who provides expert advice and robust advocacy in cases of the utmost complexity and gravity.

He has a consistently high rate of success on contested trials in the Crown Court and is therefore in great demand to represent people charged with serious offences.