The client was alleged to have held a knife against a woman’s neck whilst walking in the park and told her that he wanted sex and for her to get in the bushes.
Andy instructed a psychiatrist to confirm that at the time of the allegations the client was experiencing a psychotic episode, when he was hallucinating and believed the complainant to be his dead mother whom he wanted to give a necklace to by holding it up to her neck. Sufficient doubts were raised, and inconsistencies highlighted in the evidence as to the existence of any knife and what was said by the client to the complainant. The client was acquitted of the offences. Merry Van Woodenberg of 2 Hare Court chambers was instructed Counsel.
