Tom Evans and Holly Fagan’s clients acquitted of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence
28th May 2025
3PB Barristers’ specialist criminal law barristers, Tom Evans and Holly Fagan, have secured acquittals for their clients (C and D), after successful submissions of no case to answer.
On a summer’s evening in 2022, four young people were in a car driving around Ryde, Isle of Wight. The front seat passengers (A and B) were in possession of what looked like a semi-automatic machine gun. A and B fired ball-bearings from the gun injuring several members of the public. C and D were the back seat passengers.
The Crown accepted that there was no evidence that either C or D shot the weapon but alleged that they encouraged the front seat passengers (A and B) to commit the offence. The height of the Crown’s case was that laughing could be heard coming from the car but no witness could identify who was laughing. Holly’s client was also alleged to have shouted from the car. The Crown conceded that there was no case to answer. The Learned Judge allowed the applications and directed the jury to enter not guilty verdicts for C and D.
If you wish to contact or instruct Tom or Holly, please email Chambers Director Stuart Pringle, or telephone 01962 868 884.
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