Drug Sentencing Success for Penny Muir & LNL
Penny Muir was recently instructed to represent a man charged with taking drugs into one of Her Majesty’s prisons.
Offences of this type are taken extremely seriously and case law dictates that they should normally attract custodial sentences with a starting point of around 18 months. Nick Ornstin represented the client at the Crown Court, where he was given a non-custodial sentence of community service and a Curfew Order.
This decision flies in the face of current sentencing guidelines on the supply of drugs to prisoners in jail, which would normally attract an immediate custodial sentence of some length. The client was relieved and delighted!
Cash Forfeiture Success for Layna Thompson & LNL
Layna acted for a young couple who were stopped by the authorities at the airport and had £93,000 cash seized from them. The couple explained in detail at the time, that they had both been working in the restaurant business and the monies were their earnings over a specific period.
They explained that they lived rent free with a relative, worked six days a week and, more often than not, worked double shifts. The authorities refused to accept that anybody could work that hard!
As a result the couple found themselves in court, defending cash forfeiture proceedings.
Thanks to Layna’s thorough and diligent preparatory work, and Counsel’s excellent advocacy, nearly £90,000 of the seized money was returned to the clients.
“We want you to know that we are both more than grateful for all your help and work that you have provided us. We wouldn’t be where we are now without your huge amount of work. We will definitely recommend your services to anyone who needs them.” – the clients
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my instructing solicitor (Layna) for her exceptionally high quality of work in preparing the spread sheet exhibits that were instrumental, if not, the deciding factor in the outcome of the case” – Lucie Wibberly (counsel) of 1 Pump Court
Police Community Support Officer Acquitted of Fraud: Another LNL Success
The officer was charged with supplying counterfeit cosmetics on eBay, following a complaint from an eBay customer and Chanel. He was arrested and his home was searched where some sixty-one cosmetic items were seized.
He faced eight counts of dishonesty at Snaresbrook Crown Court and, following representation by the superb Alistair Grange of counsel (1 Pump Court), he was quickly acquitted of all counts by the jury.
These allegations, if proven, would have had considerable and far reaching consequences for a man in his position. He was delighted with this result.
Sean and James Reilly were the instructing solicitors dealing.