The Special Casework Unit at Farleys Solicitors was this week celebrating a hat-trick, following Partner Paul Schofield’s success in Leeds and Associate Partner Kevin Preston achieving acquittals for defendants in two of its cases in Manchester and London.

The impressive treble began taking in shape in Leeds Crown Court in May, when Paul Schofield successfully defended David Atherton on several counts. The full article for this case can be found here.

The second case involved a lengthy investigation into the supply of counterfeit drugs, and was one of the biggest in the history of the Medicines and Health Care products Regulatory Authority.

Farleys’ client, Miss Shawcross, was a director of MSH World Traders, an internet based company trading in sex toys, herbal aphrodisiacs and medicines. The company owner, Martin Hickman, was charged with dealing in fake and unlicensed medicines and money laundering £1.4 million.

Miss Shawcross, unaware that the law was being broken, was acquitted on all counts at Southwark Crown Court.

Finally, in the third case, the firm represented a man from Chadderton on a charge of manslaughter. The defendant, Mr. Hobin, admitted punching Mr. Sellars during an argument prior to which both men had been drinking, but always maintained he had been acting in self defence.  Mr. Sellars fell during the altercation, striking his head on the kerb and subsequently died

Mr. Hobin told the court that he was disappointed in himself and regretted everything that had happened. He said he had been more scared than angry.

Farleys engaged Mr. Douglas Hogg Q.C. MP to represent Mr. Hobin at Manchester Crown Court. It took the jury of six men and six women less than two hours to find Mr. Hobin not guilty.

Paul Schofield said of the wins:

“Three acquittals in three weeks in three different Crown Courts really shows the depth and breadth of expertise, and the national reach Farleys Special Casework Unit now enjoys. The success of our team in these three very different cases only goes to further prove our position as one of the leading serious and business crime law firms in the country.”

If you need expert representation in a serious crime or business fraud matter, then contact a Farleys Solicitor now on 0845 287 0939 or alternatively you can e-mail us.