The case involved allegations of entering into or becoming concerned in a money laundering arrangement (contrary to s.328 Proceeds of Crime Act 2002), with the prosecution asserting that over £240,000 of criminal property was laundered through multiple personal and company accounts linked to an organised crime group (OCG).
The money originated from controlling prostitution across London and the South East. The investigation was multi-agency, initially referred to the NCA before being taken up by the Metropolitan Police Service. It was alleged that the client’s husband was the controlling mind of prostitution business.
Grant Ambridge’s involvement was critical from the outset he led the strategic review of twelve thousand pages of evidence. Grant and instructed Counsel identified evidential gaps demonstrating that many transactions were legitimate lifestyle payments or inheritance, not proceeds of crime. It was also highlighted that the pr prosecution were unable to show the provenance of the funds alleged to be laundered by the client.
A skeleton argument for dismissal was prepared by the defendant, highlighting the lack of direct evidence linking the client to the alleged criminality and the improper reliance on familial connections as proof of intent or knowledge.
This case involved highly sensitive, multi-layered financial crime allegations involving complex money flows, digital evidence, and multiple defendants.
Grant was conducted detailed evidence analysis, strategic decision-making, which resulted in the prosecution not opposing the application for dismissal skeleton argument and therefore not guilty verdicts being secure and protecting a professional client from a conviction.
Represented by – Leon Kazakos KC of 2 Hare Court
