Proceedings Discontinued Following SCA Determination.

First Time Decision By CPS In Relation To Terrorism Case

Published: 27th January 2022

Gerard represented a 16-year-old girl charged with six serious offences contrary to the terrorism legislation.

Some of the charges related to events when she was 14-years-old.

The proceedings were before the Youth Court and heard by the Chief Magistrate.  Through analysis of the rapidly developing law following the Modern Slavery Act 2015 Gerard successfully argued that the trial should await the determination by the Single Competent Authority and subsequent review by the CPS.

The CPS’ review resulted in the proceedings against Gerard’s client being discontinued.  This is the first case in which terrorism charges have been discontinued following the CPS’s review taking into account the conclusive grounds decision by the SCA.

Gerard was instructed by Laura Cook at Elliot Mather Solicitors.

 

BBC: bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60132861

Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/01/27/terror-charge-against-girl-16-dropped-trafficking-victim