At MK Law, we specialise in defending clients facing serious allegations, including Theft & Going Equipped charges. Recently, Terisa Chaudary has been the litigator on a case where she has secured an excellent result for two clients who were wrongly accused of carrying offensive weapons. The case began in April 2024 when our clients were represented by Sarah Wilson. However, the offence stemmed from events going back to the Covid period, highlighting inefficiencies in the criminal justice system and the unnecessary stress placed on defendants.

The case

Our clients were on a bike ride during Covid (outside of lockdown, but while the epidemic was ongoing). They cycled slowly past a bike rack, behaviour deemed suspicious by police. On being stopped, both were found to have tools in their possession and were subsequently charged with offensive weapons offences.

However, there were entirely innocent explanations:

• Client A had collected bolt cutters from a friend to dismantle a dog pen while moving house. His parents provided supporting statements.
• Client B was carrying a fire key to access his father’s apartment block, having lost his own key.

Defence strategy

As experienced criminal defence solicitors, we ensured the case was properly prepared:

• Served a detailed Defence Case Statement.
• Submitted witness statements from Client A’s parents to confirm his account.
• Instructed a forensic scientist who concluded:
  • Bolt cutters could cut D locks up to 6mm in diameter.
  • Side cutters and metal snips could not cut hardened D locks.
  • Fire keys are freely available and designed to open communal doors.

Tom Gregson represented one client and Harry Martin the other, working closely with Terisa to challenge the prosecution’s case and demonstrate that the items had legitimate, lawful uses.

Outcome

On 2 September 2024, the prosecution accepted our submissions and offered no evidence, confirming it was not in the public interest to continue.

The Theft & Going Equipped charges were dismissed, bringing the case to an end.

This was the correct result but highlights the unnecessary waste of defence time, prosecution resources, police involvement and, most importantly, the significant stress our clients endured. With court resources already stretched, such cases that offer no real benefit to the public should be discontinued much earlier.

Client testimonial

One client praised our team with the following feedback:

Great team, very polite and hardworking. Would highly recommend. Big thanks to Terisa, Sarah and Harry for putting in the hard work prepping my case for trial and getting the result we wanted.”

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