Thom secures not guilty verdict in attempted murder

In September 2021, police attended a hotel in Surbiton following reports of an incident.  The complainant told officers her partner had beaten her and strangled her, telling her “now is your time to die”. She told police he licked the blood from her face and that his behaviour was like that of a serial killer. As a result of her extensive maxillofacial injuries she was taken to Kingston Hospital for treatment.

Thom acted on behalf of the defendant, who was arrested and charged with attempted murder. After a five-day trial at Kingston Crown Court, during which the complainant was cross-examined at length to highlight the inconsistencies in her account, the defendant was found not guilty of attempted murder.  He received a sentence of six years’ imprisonment for causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Thom secures acquittal in £0.5m fraud trial

Thom acted for the defendant, TG, in a complex fraud trial involving alleged losses of nearly half a million pounds.  TG was found not guilty by the jury after the three week trial at Guildford Crown Court.

The prosecution alleged that TG had moved in with his elderly mother following the death of his father.  He was said to have set out to systematically defraud her of her life savings by obtaining a power of attorney over her financial affairs.  Nearly half a million pounds was taken from her savings, with hundreds of thousands of pounds being spent on expensive renovation and building work.  Large sums were withdrawn in cash without any account of where they were spent.

The case involved a three-day cross-examination of the central prosecution witness in the case and presentation of complex financial evidence to the jury.  TG was acquitted of all charges.  Thom was instructed by Harrington Myers Solicitors.

Court of Appeal success for Thom in sentencing appeal

The Court of Appeal today overturned a sentence imposed for serious and repeated breaches of a restraining order.  Mr O’Hagan, who was represented by Thom, sought to appeal his sentence on the basis that, in light of the recent case of R v Holgate [2017] EWCA Crim 638, it was manifestly excessive for the judge to have taken a starting point of 27 months’ imprisonment.

The Court of Appeal agreed with Thom’s submissions and reduced Mr O’Hagan’s sentence to one of 12 months’ imprisonment, which means that Mr O’Hagan will no longer be subject to further licence conditions.

The appeal was heard before Lord Justice Irwin, Sir Kenneth Parker and HHJ Aubrey QC.

Thom was instructed by GT Stewart Solicitors.

Thom is instructed frequently to both advise and represent clients in appeals to the High Court and Court of Appeal.  For more information as to his appellate practice, click here.