Liverpool's Longest Fraud Trial AcquitTal
Rob Mann of Draycott Browne solicitors has recently secured an acquittal for our client, David Richard Barton in “Operation Uzana”.
The acquittal was secured following a successful submission of no case to answer. The trial, involving several defendants, followed a complex financial investigation into a Fraud which took place over the course of 18 years with the case becoming the longest running trial in the history of Liverpool Crown Court, exceeding 12 months in duration. The value of the Fraud was estimated to be in the region of £8 million and the case papers were in excess of 100,000 pages.
The investigation by Merseyside Police and the Specialist Fraud Unit commenced in 2013/14 with our client originally arrested in June 2015. The trial commenced in April 2017 and a formal not guilty verdict was recorded by the Court in respect of our client on the 18th October 2018.
Accused of Money Laundering, our client, a high-profile former Conservative councillor of previous impeccable character, was severed out of the trial of his co-defendants after 137 days of trial. The Prosecution elected to re-try him and one other defendant. Significantly, we were able to secure consideration of a legal argument, submitting that there was no case to answer, before the scheduled retrial was due to begin. The trial Judge was successfully persuaded that there was insufficient evidence for the case to be placed back before a Jury.
Rob instructed Michael Neofytou as leading Counsel and Robert Shaw as junior Counsel both of 25 Bedford Row Chambers in London.
We all wish David well in putting his life back on track after it having essentially been placed on hold for the last three years.
If you require legal represention from one of the top Criminal Defence Law Firms in the country, call Draycott Browne and speak with one of their specialist Criminal Defence Lawyers.
For a media report of the case click below: