Success for Nick Johnson KC and Stephen Grattage in Scarborough driving murder case

September 29, 2025

Nick Johnson KC and Stephen Grattage helped to secure not guilty verdicts after a 15-day murder/manslaughter trial in Leeds. Instructed by Howard & Byrne Solicitors York, they represented one of three men who became involved in a late-night altercation and later drove back into the town centre in an Audi, which ran over and killed a man. The Crown alleged a deliberate running down, targeting their victim in revenge for what happened earlier.

Nick and Stephen developed arguments relating to expert collision reconstruction, overwhelming supervening acts and joint enterprise principles in this context following the case of Ayre [2025] EWCA Crim 255. Ultimately, after retiring for nearly 14 hours, the jury acquitted all defendants of all charges.

Nick, Deputy Head of Crime in chambers, and Stephen are based in Exchange Leeds office and have a widespread practice in serious, organised and financial crime and cross-over regulatory and civil work.