Charlotte Rimmer secures acquittals in rape and child cruelty cases

November 16, 2020

Charlotte Rimmer from Exchange Chambers, working with Elizabeth Rowley and Ed Youlton at GT Stewart Solicitors, has this month obtained two acquittals in quick succession in serious allegations of domestic abuse.

In the first case Charlotte represented a man accused of three offences of child cruelty, assaults and controlling and coercive behaviour before a jury at Leeds Crown Court. In this section 28 case, Charlotte utilised third party material when cross examining the three young children and their mother, who all alleged an extensive history of violence and abuse. At the conclusion of this difficult six-day trial, the jury returned unanimous not guilty verdicts.

In the second case, Charlotte defended a man accused of rape, two offences of section 47 assault and one offence of section 39 assault. In video interview, the complainant alleged that she had been beaten by her partner and then raped, before she ran from the property and called the police. If convicted the defendant faced more than ten years in prison. In cross examination, through use of extensive third party material and exploring the various disclosures made by the complainant throughout the investigation, Charlotte raised a number of doubts over the prosecution case. Acquitting the defendant of rape, the jury found him guilty of one offence of assault which he had admitted when giving evidence. He was given a short time-served custodial sentence and walked free from court that same day.

Charlotte is a member of the criminal department at Exchange Chambers.