Hesham Puri represented a defendant in a highly sensitive and widely reported case arising from the tragic death of a four-year-old boy following a road traffic collision that attracted nationwide media attention, including coverage by BBC News.

The defendant was charged with murder, following allegations that he had deliberately rammed another vehicle. Prior to trial, the defendant entered guilty pleas to manslaughter and causing grievous bodily harm without intent. While accepting that he had deliberately driven into the vehicle, the defence case was that his intention was to force the other driver to stop, not to cause serious injury to any of the occupants.A central issue at trial was the expert evidence of forensic collision specialists, with much of the case turning on the degree of force required to produce such catastrophic consequences and whether the prosecution’s case on intent could be sustained.

Following a three-week murder trial acquittal, the jury acquitted the defendant of murder, marking a decisive murder trial acquittal in a high-profile case that attracted national media attention.

Counsel instructed in the case were Tyrone Smith and Jeffrey Isreal of 25 Bedford Row.