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Rape & ABH during the course of alleged sexual assault
Sarah Forshaw KC represented this Defendant who was charged with rape and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Very unusually, the Court was persuaded that, as a matter of law, there was not enough evidence to go before a jury on the rape allegation and the charge was dismissed (application to dismiss succeeded in advance of trial.) The CPS continued with the assault charge to trial. Substantial evidence was put before the jury during a trial that lasted 2 weeks. The Defendant was unanimously acquitted of ABH in 30 minutes. Instructed by Roger Sahota of Berkeley Square Solicitors.
Rape, Sexual Assault & False Imprisonment
Sarah Forshaw KC leading Valeria Swift and instructed by Nick Vamos of Peters & Peters, represented this young man from a wealthy and prominent overseas family, who was found not guilty of all charges against him following a two-week trial at Southwark Crown Court in February 2023.
Accusations made by his former girlfriend had resulted in a six-count indictment, including allegations of sexual assault, false imprisonment and rape. He was released under investigation shortly after his arrest, and was granted bail to return to and remain in his home country until the trial. Peters & Peters obtained permission for him to attend all pre-trial hearings remotely. The allegations date back to 2018. Trial was originally scheduled for early 2022, but was adjourned owing to prosecution disclosure failures. The failures continued up to and during trial, with a number of disclosure hearings taking place, and significant items of disclosure provided only on the day the case was opened to the jury.
Following the two-week trial, during which the client gave evidence, the jury returned unanimous not guilty verdicts on all charges after less than three hours’ deliberation.
Rape & Controlling & Coercive Behaviour
Sarah Forshaw KC leading Phoebe Bragg defended this trainee solicitor accused of rape and controlling and coercive behaviour over the course of an intimate relationship. The prosecution ultimately offered no evidence following a litany of disclosure failures and representations made by the defence. Instructed by Hickman and Rose.
Multiple Rapes & Assault
Sarah Forshaw KC led Phoebe Bragg in the defence of a man accused of multiple rapes, assaults and harassment by a former partner. The Crown eventually offered no evidence before a jury was sworn. Instructed by James Farrell of Weightmans.
Dr accused of deliberately infecting partner with HIV
Sarah Forshaw KC defended this Doctor whom it was accused of deliberately infecting his boyfriend with HIV. They had met on the 'GRINDR' app and had a consensual sexual relationship but it was later alleged that the defendant had failed to disclose his HIV positive status. The Jury was discharged after a 5 day trial and the Crown subsequently offered no evidence.
'First Date' Rape
Sarah Forshaw KC was instructed privately to defend AS who had been accused of oral, anal and vaginal rape following a first date, after meeting on the 'Hinge' dating app. Following a nine day trial the defendant was found not guilty of all charges. Instructed by Blackfords LLP.
North London Shooting in broad daylight.
Sarah Forshaw KC represented one of four defendants in this trial involving a fatal North London 'shooting'. The Deceased was shot twice in broad daylight on housing estate in Edmonton. Case involved the analysis of CCTV and Cell Site evidence to demonstrate how the Defendants happened to ‘spot’ the deceased and follow him around the streets of Edmonton before two of them exited a car and shot him at close range. Cut throat defences were run. Evidence as to the Defendants’ association and clothing worn by the shooter at the time of the killing was admitted through drill videos recovered from You Tube. Trial commenced on the 4th October 2021 and concluded on the 18th March 2022. Jury were in retirement for 100 hours and 19 minutes. Sarah Forshaw's client was the only defendant acquitted of murder.
Historic Rape
Instructed privately to defend a businessman who had been extradited from the Netherlands to face multiple historic rape charges. Following Sarah Forshaw QC’s cross-examination of the complainant and a second prosecution witness, the prosecution offered no evidence, and the defendant was formally acquitted on all counts.
Doctor charged with multiple sexual assaults upon a colleague
Sarah Forshaw KC was privately instructed to represent this Doctor whom it was alleged had assaulted, on numerous occassions, a female colleague, whilst on duty. Following a seven day trial the defendant was acquitted. Instructed by Berkeley Square Solicitors..
Murder
Sarah Forshaw QC was instructed to defend the young son of a lawyer in an 8 week murder trial at the Central Criminal Court. It was agreed that Miss Forshaw’s client had delivered the fatal blow. The incident was captured on CCTV. Her client was acquitted of both murder and manslaughter.
County Lines Drug Related Murder
Representing the first of four defendants in a County lines drugs-related murder trial. Miss Forshaw’s lay client was said to be the ringleader but was the only defendant to be acquitted on all counts; the other three defendants were unanimously convicted of murder. Instructed by Imran Khan & Partners.
Murder
Sarah Forshaw QC leading for the defence in a two-defendant murder trial at the Central Criminal Court. The deceased was shot dead close to the Houses of Parliament. The jury acquitted of murder and convicted only of manslaughter by a majority. Instructed by Lloyds PR solicitors.
Inquest touching upon the death of LW
Instructed to represent a Doctor by Max Anwar, McCormacks. Dr absolved of any wrongdoing and no criminal proceedings institiuted.
Gang Related Murder
Sarah Forshaw QC was instructed for the defence in this four week gang-related murder trial at the Central Criminal Court. There were two defendants. The jury unanimously acquitted her lay client of all charges, including the murder of one victim and the attempted murder of a second. Instructed by Waterfords Law.
Multiple Allegations of BDSM Rape
Sarah Forshaw QC successfully overturned the appellant’s convictions in the Court of Appeal Criminal Division in a case involving allegations of BDSM rape. The original trial attracted considerable media attention and involved multiple complainants. Instructed by Nigel Richardson of Hodge Jones Allen.
Murder of Essex Schoolgirl Jodie Chesney
Sarah Forshaw QC represented the first of four defendants in the high profile Jodie Chesney murder trial. Following the highly publicised 8 week trial Miss Forshaw’s client was acquitted of both murder and manslaughter. Instructed by Sunita Mehta of ABV Solicitors.
Allegations of Historic rape & sexual assaults
Sarah Forshaw QC was privately instructed to represent a music producer who faced 8 counts alleging historic child cruelty, indecent assault and rape. Following a 3 week trial the jury unanimously acquitted on all counts. Instructed by Zahir Ahmed of Gentle Mathias Solicitors.
Sexually Motivated Misconduct
The defendant doctor, having been acquitted of sexual assaults on a patient at the Crown Court (also represented by Sarah Forshaw QC), was to face similar allegations brought by the GMC. Miss Forshaw, assisted by Olivia Haggar, was asked to represent him again at the full contested hearing which lasted 3 weeks. Once again, the complainant and other witnesses were cross-examined. The allegations were all found ‘not proved’ by the Tribunal. The Doctor has returned to full-time work. Instructed by BCL.
£Multi-Million Charity Fraud
Sarah Forshaw QC acted in this Multi-million pound charity fraud. Our client, a Rabbi, was said to have facilitated the laundering of millions of pounds using Chabad UK Charities as a front for his illegal activities, the accounts it is alleged, were used to process the proceeds of sales of counterfeit, prescription or unlicensed medication sold online. The money was thereafter withdrawn through currency exchanges, payments to Money Service Bureaus, cheques, withdrawn in cash. 234 transfers totalling £8.4 million were sent to 51 different entities based overseas, predominantly in Hong Kong and Cyprus to remove the money from the UK. Instructed by ABV Solicitors.
Allegation of Sexual Assault in University Halls of Residence
Sarah Forshaw QC successfully persuaded the prosecution to offer no evidence on second day of this sexual assault trial following ongoing evidential and disclosure issues. The defendant had been accused of sexually assaulting a fellow student in the Halls of Residence. Instructed by Andy Malik of DJMS Solicitors.
Alleged Rape of woman met on "Ashley Madison" dating site
Sarah Forshaw QC represented this professional man whom was alleged to have raped and sexually assaulted a young woman he had met using the 'Ashley Madison' dating site for married people. RB was cleared of all charges following a successful half time submission. Instructed by Paul Morris of BCL Solicitors LLP.
Contested Fitness to Practice Hearing before the MPTS
Sarah Forshaw QC successfully represented this Doctor on his full hearing at the MPTS re: fitness to practice. Following a four day contested hearing the tribunal found no 'adverse findings'. Instructed by Zahir Ahmed of ABV Solicitors.
Allegations of Marital Rapes and Sexual Assault
Sarah Forshaw QC acted for this defendant who was charged with and cleared of 7 allegations of marital rape and sexual assault over a thirteen year period. Following an aborted trial in February 2018 due to disclosure problems the Crown eventually offered no evidence in September 2018, days before the second trial listing was due to commence. Instructed by Paul Morris of BCL Solicitors LLP.
Alleged Historic Sexual Assaults on young male
Sarah Forshaw QC represented this defendant who was cleared of 13 counts of sexually assaulting a young boy between 1998 and 2004. Following a 2 week trial the defendant was acquitted of all charges. Instructed by Gary Rubin of Blackfords LLP.
Alleged anal rape of 4 year old by Father
Sarah Forshaw QC led Paul Jackson in this successful defence of a father charged with the anal rape of his 4 year old son. The jury acquitted in 10 minutes. Instructed by Rob Borwick of ABV Solicitors.
Multiple rape case
Jonathan Reuben led by Sarah Forshaw QC defending in a multiple count rape case. The trial had to be adjourned after serious disclosure failings were discovered by defence. Successful application for costs against the CPS under section 19 Prosecution of Offences Act 1985.
Alleged historic sexual offending in prestigious boarding school
Sarah Forshaw QC acted for the defence in this case of alleged historic sexual offending committed whilst our client was a Gap Year Student in 2002 at a prestigious all boys boarding school in the North of England. The defendant was acquitted of all charges by a jury in 14 minutes. Instructed by Ellen Peart of BCL LLP.
£Multi-Million HMRC Tax Avoidance Prosecution
Sarah Forshaw QC and Robert Ellison acted in the defence of this defendant charged with 10 others of a multi-million pound conspiracy to cheat HMRC. The fraud centred around multiple tax avoidance schemes. The charges were dismissed against our client following legal argument. The trial on the remaining defendants is listed for 6 months in 2019. Instructed by King and Spalding LLP.
Fatal Stabbing of Teenager in Northolt
Sarah Forshaw QC represented this 17 year old man who was cleared of the murder and manslaughter of an 18 year old man in Northolt. The jury returned a unanimous verdict after a 3 week trial at the Old Bailey. Instructed by McCormacks Solicitors.
Ex Teacher accused of Historic Sexual Assaults
Sarah Forshaw QC acted for this retired ex-teacher who was charged with a series of historic sexual assaults in the 1980's. NC had been extradited from Spain to stand trial but was cleared of all charges. Instructed by Sonn McMillan Walker.
Sexual Assault upon 5 year old niece
Sarah Forshaw QC defended this Merrill Lynch banker whom was charged and cleared following an 8 day Old Bailey trial of Sexually Assaulting his 5 year old niece during a bout of "Parasomnia". Instructed by BCL Solicitors LLP.
Murder
Sarah Forshaw QC acted for the defence in this Old Bailey trial concerning the fatal stabbing in the neck and chest of a 20 year old man during a brawl in an East London park in front of picnicking families. The defendant was acquitted of murder, convicted of manslaughter. Instructed by McCormacks.
Alleged Rape of married woman
Sarah Forshaw QC, successfully represented a 39 year old father of two whom was cleared of raping a married woman after walking her home. A jury acquitted the defendant of four counts – sexual assault, rape and two counts of attempted rape. Instructed by ABV Solicitors.
Fatal Stabbing
Sarah Forshaw QC successfully defended an 18 year old man who was cleared of murder and manslaughter following the fatal stabbing of a 20 year old man in Thornton Heath, the jury accepting he acted in self-defence. Instructed by MK Law.
Doctor accused of Sexually Assaulting young patient
Sarah Forshaw QC successfully represented this Doctor whom was cleared of an allegation of sexually assaulting a young female patient. Instructed by EBR Attridge. Now instructed by BCL Solicitors LLP in regulatory proceedings before the GMC and NHS Trust.
Murder of a pensioner
Sarah Forshaw QC led Orla Daly for the defence in a case prosecuted by Queen’s Counsel and Treasury Counsel. The case related to the death of a pensioner bludgeoned to death by a defendant with learning difficulties. Issues of diminished responsibility and assisted suicide. Instructed by Thomas Boyd Whyte Solicitors.
£80m Ponzi Scheme
Sarah Forshaw QC, instructed by the SFO, successfully prosecuted this £80m "Ponzi" scheme. The defendants purported to be a successful supplier of electrical goods such as light bulbs, air conditioning units, trouser presses and televisions to major hotel chains such as the Marriott and Hilton. They also falsely claimed to be the preferred supplier of the Olympic village, ahead of the 2012 Games.
https://www.sfo.gov.uk/2016/05/24/ponzi-fraudsters-sentenced-total-21-years/
Allegation of Rape against a professional footballer
Sarah Forshaw QC was successful in the defence of a professional footballer charged with rape and sexual assault upon teenage victim. Instructed by BCL Solicitors LLP.
Drug related double murder
Sarah Forshaw QC appeared for a 17 year old man who was cleared of involvement in the double murder of two men in Leytonstone, East London. Instructed by McCormacks.
Murder
Sarah Forshaw QC successfully represented a law student who was cleared of arranging the murder of her boyfriend by a former boyfriend. Instructed by Imran Khan & Partners.
Importation of £5m of Cocaine
Sarah Forshaw QC leading Charlotte Newell represented a greengrocer who was charged and cleared of smuggling £5m of cocaine in fruit and vegetables. Co-defendants sentenced to 17 years. instructed by Bark & Co.
"Battered Woman Syndrome"
Sarah Forshaw QC acted on behalf of this appellant on a case referred to the COA by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The appeal centred around "Battered Women Syndrome" after the appellant was convicted of cocaine smuggling. Instructed by Blackfords LLP.
Historic Sex Abuse
Sarah Forshaw QC leading Dickon Reid successfully represented this defendant who had Aspergers and was charged and cleared of 42 counts of historic sexual assaults. The defendant had similar fact previous convictions which were renewed to the Court of Appeal and subsequently overturned. Instructed by Edward Hayes LLP. Internet report here.
Sexual Assault
Miss Forshaw QC was instructed privately to represent a Member of the House of Lords in his high profile trial for sexual assault before Edis J at Southwark Crown Court. Lord H was found not guilty. Instructed by Blackfords.
News reports can be found here:
[2019] EWCA Crim 2287
Sarah Forshaw QC was leading counsel for the defence, representing a young man facing five counts of rape. There were three separate complainants. The allegations involved BDSM and one of the complainants was not previously known to the defendant. The jury found the defendant not guilty on 3 of the 5 counts.
Miss Forshaw appealed the two remaining convictions and the Court of Appeal overturned them. The judgment of the Court of Appeal is now a recognised authority, featuring in the Crown Court Compendium and in the leading textbooks on criminal law. Instructed by Hodge Jones & Allen.
Alleged Rape in the Palace of Westminster
Sarah Forshaw QC represented Samuel Armstrong, Chief of Staff to conservative MP Craig Mackinley, whom was accused of raping and sexually assaulting a young woman following a drinking session after work in the bar at the Houses of Parliament. The case attracted considerable media attention. Mr Armstrong was cleared by a jury after an 9 day trial. Instructed by Taylor Haldane Barlex.
Defence of celebrity publicist for historic sexual assault
Sarah Forshaw QC leading Orla Daly were successful in their defence of the renowned celebrity publicist who was cleared of a further charge of historic sexual assault.
Trial of the "Fake Sheikh"
Sarah Forshaw QC leading Danny Robinson were instructed by the CPS in the successful prosecution of the 'Fake Sheikh' and his driver for perverting the course of justice surrounding the 2013 failed prosecution of popstar Tulisa Contostavlos.
Post "Jogee" Joint Enterprise Appeal
Sarah Forshaw QC was involved in the post "Jogee" conviction appeals. A matter that is to be considered by the Supreme Court.
Murder
Sarah Forshaw QC was instructed in the defence of a gay escort accused of killing 53 year old antiques dealer in a ritualistic satanic attack. The murder conviction was overturned on appeal in 2015 and the sentence reduced. It has become an important decision in cases of diminished responsibility and expert psychiatric evidence.
The judgment of the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division, is now reported http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Crim/2014/2387.html. The decision is now cited in both the current editions of Archbold and Blackstones.
Murder of schoolboy at Victoria Station
Sarah Forshaw QC leading Sue Rodham, successfully represented their defendant in the trial in respect of the brutal killing of the schoolboy Sofyen Belamouadden at Victoria Railway station by a gang of 19 youths in March 2010. The horrific nature of this killing led to widespread publicity of joint enterprise, knife related gang crime. Instructed by Whitelock and Storr.
Chambers of Sarah Forshaw KC &
Mark Heywood KC
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