On 22nd August 2014, Lincoln Crown Court allowed the appeal against conviction of our client T on the grounds that he was a victim of human trafficking. T was a minor when he was convicted of cannabis cultivation charges. Philippa Southwell of Birds Solicitors and Taimour Lay of Garden Court Chambers represented the Appellant (the firm did not represent him in the original proceedings). The case was submitted to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) under the exceptional circumstances provision and referred back to the Crown Court by the Commission. In light of the recent Court of Appeal judgment R v L, THN & Ors, for which Miss Southwell also represented the Appellant THN. the Prosecution conceded the appeal following our representations and offered no evidence. The Crown Court formally quashed the convictions.
This is another excellent result and great victory for victims of human trafficking.
Philippa Southwell specialises in representing victims of human trafficking and has been successful in quashing every conviction raising issues of human trafficking on which she has been instructed to date. Anyone who believes they may have a case which would fit within the criteria and wishes to challenge the conviction or seek advice on this area should contact us immediately.