David Toal secures acquittal for defendant charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life

July 29, 2021

David Toal from Exchange Chambers has secured an acquittal for a client charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

After a police pursuit whilst driving a stolen car, the defendant abandoned the vehicle but was detained and found to have discarded a fully-loaded gun.  He was also found with a further bullet in his pocket.

The car he had been driving was searched and the police found a large amount of Class ‘A’ drugs and cash. The defendant admitted that he had been drug-dealing.

The Prosecution alleged that he would have used the firearm to shoot at someone if necessary not least because he had been shot and stabbed himself in the past. It was suggested that the fact that the gun was loaded with further ammunition available showed that it was ‘good to go’. The defendant denied that he would ever have used the firearm. Following a trial, he was found not guilty.

David Toal was instructed by Robert Lizar Solicitors.