Rebecca McKnight secures unanimous acquittal of a client charged with supplying Class A drugs
6th September 2023
3PB’s specialist criminal law barrister Rebecca McKnight (pictured here) has successfully secured an acquittal for her client of two charges of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and two charges of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, after a trial at Southampton Crown Court.
The defendant was a vulnerable person who had been facing these allegations for almost 2 years. If found guilty, the defendant would have likely faced a period in prison.
The prosecution suggested that the defendant was actively involved in supplying class A drugs. The prosecution’s case was based on evidence of messages, the quantity of drugs found, scales found at their address, and a small quantity of cash.
When cross examined by Rebecca, the Drugs Expert Witness conceded the possibility of the drugs being for personal use and the majority of the messages possibly indicating requests for drugs from the defendant rather than supply. Rebecca argued the messages were ambiguous and most of the evidence demonstrated the drugs found were for the defendant's personal use.
The jury returned after only 1 hour 30 minutes unanimously finding Rebecca’s client not guilty of all 4 accusations.
Rebecca was instructed by Emily Alexander of Roach Pittis.
Rebecca McKnight is a specialist criminal barrister accepting instructions in general crime, regulatory and court martial work. She regularly appears in the Youth and Crown courts for both prosecution and defence.
If you wish to contact or instruct Rebecca, please contact Chambers Director Stuart Pringle or telephone 01962 868884.
Related Articles
-
3PB Barristers’ specialist crime and regulatory barrister, Holly Fagan, secured not guilty verdicts for her client accused of engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour over a 4-year relationship, and one charge of assault by beating. Holly’s client accepted that it was a toxic and dysfunctional relationship but did not accept the criminal allegations. Holly’s detailed s28 cross-examination of the complainant highlighted the weaknesses and inconsistencies in her account. The unused material proved crucial to the...
Continue reading -
3PB crime barrister Thomas Acworth represented DB, a vulnerable man with serious health issues, who was charged with conspiracy to transfer prohibited weapons and conspiracy to transfer ammunition. Together with others, DB was said to have converted legal, blank-firing pistols into operational, lethal handguns. The handguns were then supplied to other organised criminal groups around the country. Some were used in gangland shootings. At sentence, HHJ Real accepted Thomas’ ‘focused and realistic’ submissions about DB’s role...
Continue reading -
3PB's crime and regulatory barrister Nicholas Cotter (pictured here), led by Mark Wyeth KC, has just completed a three-month trial at the Central Criminal Court in which his client was acquitted of conspiracy to murder The client was alleged to be involved in a gangland shooting in a nightclub, which was indicted at the outset as a conspiracy to murder. Following trial, the client was found guilty of a firearms offence but acquitted of all...
Continue reading -
3PB are delighted to announce that crime and regulatory barrister Gemma White has been appointed by Robert Courts KC MP HM Solicitor General, to the Treasury Counsel Monitoree Scheme, for a period of 3 years from 1 April 2024. Treasury Counsel are a team of specialist advocates who prosecute many of the most serious and complex cases in the country, and advise and appear on behalf of the Law Officers and other government departments. Advocates...
Continue reading
