“How can you defend criminals?”
“You’re a woman — don’t you feel ashamed defending rapists?”
These are the kinds of questions I’m often asked when people learn that I’m a criminal defence lawyer. It’s a topic that sparks immediate discomfort. But it also opens the door to an important — and often misunderstood — part of our justice system: the right to a fair trial, even for those accused of the most serious crimes.
So here’s my answer.
No, I’m not ashamed. I’m proud to defend the accused. Because I believe in justice — not just as a concept, but as a right. A right that must be protected even when it’s unpopular, uncomfortable, or inconvenient. Especially then.
Everyone deserves a fair trial — Yes, everyone
Miscarriages of justice are not historical relics. They happen. All the time. To ordinary people. And while society might be more sympathetic to an innocent man accused of shoplifting, that same compassion often disappears the moment a person is accused of something unspeakable — like rape.
But the stakes are highest in those very cases.
Defending rape allegations doesn’t mean denying victims — It means defending justice
Recently, I secured a Not Guilty verdict for a client at the Inner London Crown Court, who faced two counts of rape. The complainant was a 15-year-old girl. The accusations were severe, and public opinion tends to rush to judgment before any evidence is tested.
But this wasn’t a case of predatory behaviour — it was a case of false allegations and serious police failings.
Rape accusation based on a lie
My client met the complainant at a nightclub. She had gained entry using fake ID, accompanied by an older relative. They chatted, danced, and later went back to his place. According to him, the sexual activity was consensual.
He only discovered her real age the next day. Weeks later, she accused him of rape — claiming she had been drunk, dragged from the club, and unable to consent.
But key evidence told a different story.
Delayed disclosure and missing CCTV evidence
As a solicitor, I see firsthand how important disclosure is in criminal trials. In this case, the police and prosecution failed to hand over vital CCTV footage until the fourth day of trial — footage they initially claimed did not exist.
That CCTV showed the complainant and my client walking hand in hand out of the nightclub. No stumbling. No dragging. No signs of distress or intoxication.
That single piece of undisclosed evidence completely undermined the complainant’s account — and it should have been made available to the defence from the outset.
Acquittal after 7 days of trial
The trial began on 2nd June. On 10th June, after just 1 hour and 33 minutes of jury deliberation, my client was unanimously acquitted on both counts of rape.
The jury got it right. But the system nearly didn’t.
False allegations can ruin lives
My client had been treated as guilty from the moment of his arrest. He was suspended from work, lost relationships, and lived under the crushing weight of shame and fear. All based on a story that did not hold up to scrutiny.
Without strong legal representation, he might have faced a very different future.
This is why I do what I do. This is why criminal defence solicitors are essential — even, and especially, in rape cases.
Being a woman doesn’t mean I can’t defend men accused of rape
Yes, I’m a woman. And yes, I defend men accused of rape. Because I also believe that women can lie, mistakes can be made, and justice is not gendered.
When people ask, “What if it was your daughter?” I respond, “And what if it was your son — falsely accused of something he didn’t do?”
As a mother and a solicitor, I believe in justice for everyone — complainants and defendants alike.
Why the right to Legal Representation matters
Being accused of a sexual offence can destroy a life — even when the person is innocent. In the UK, the presumption of innocence is a cornerstone of our legal system. But in practice, it often feels like a presumption of guilt.
This case highlights:
- The importance of early legal advice
- The dangers of delayed disclosure
- The real impact of false accusations
- The need for experienced criminal defence solicitors in sexual offence cases
Justice must be balanced
We must always listen to and support genuine victims of sexual offences. But that support should never come at the expense of due process. Every allegation deserves investigation — but every accused person deserves a robust defence.
I will never apologise for defending the wrongly accused. Because when the system fails one person, it risks failing us all.
