Common Assault Charges (advice)

[Anon237]

Hello,

I have been assaulted on a night out over a year ago by two women. They then accused me of being the assailant and I am now being charged with common assault. One of the women have since dropped out of the alleged charges due to accusing the other party of the same thing (common assault). I have a completely clean criminal record in contrast to the ”complainant” as she has previous charges of common assault!
The CPS are really dragging their feet, my solicitor is struggling to get information from the CPS, which means this is ongoing and attending court for me is a 400 mile trip.

I have invested in a decent lawyer to fight it and I don’t even know if this is worth it—as I’ve nearly spent £10,000 for legal representation. I’m not even sure it is worth the money, at this point. Due to my job, criminal charges would impact me enormously and I have absolutely no past history of any criminal wrongdoings (and therefore, absolutely NO clue about legal matters).

Any advice would be greatly received and appreciated.

Thanks so much.

[islandgirl]

Hello. Can you tell us what stage you are at? Have you entered a plea? Is a trial date fixed? There is usually one hearing prior to a trial - have you had more? Were any directions on disclosure made by the court?

[Anon237]

Thank you for your reply.
I have plead not guilty, first was my plea hearing. My trial date was in July and then was adjourned for the end of December (where I attended court and this was also adjourned as my case didn’t take priority) so this is the third time attending (case due on Friday this week).
My solicitor has advised me that she has made a direction for disclosure of the complainants bad character, they still haven’t received it. They have given CPS plenty of time to comply, but they have not. So they have asked the court to list the case for non-compliance.
I’m not really sure what that means for the case and whether the trial will go ahead this Friday. :/

[islandgirl]

Thank you for the info. A bad character application will usually need a hearing of its own prior to the trial (if the CPS object). Is your solicitor awaiting anything else from the CPS? Last minute disclosure is often the way it is now...but if you have not had what you are entitled to under the law then it would not be in the interests of justice for your case to go ahead until you have. It is worth having a solicitor - money well spent if it saves you from a conviction which will have a severe impact upon you. The delay is usual but terrible and inexcusable. We are listing trials well into 2024 now