Sexual Offence
An allegation of Sexual Offence can have detrimental effects on an individual, their family, and their career. We provide expert and professional advice from representation at the police station through to trial and appeal.
Our team is available 24 hours a day and can be by your side representing you and your case.
There are a range of crimes that could be considered as sexual offences including non-consensual crimes such as rape or sexual assault, crimes against children including child sexual abuse or grooming, and crimes that exploit others for a sexual purpose, whether in person or online.
These crimes can include;
- domestic abuse,
- rape,
- sexual offences,
- stalking,
- harassment,
- forced marriage,
- female genital mutilation,
- child abuse,
- human trafficking, focussing on sexual exploitation, prostitution, pornography and obscenity.
If a crime regarding sexual assault has been reported to the police, they may invite you to attend a voluntary interview, usually taking place at a police station. Alternatively, you may be arrested and taken to a local police station for questioning about an alleged offence. Your photograph, fingerprints and DNA will often be taken at this stage.
Whether or not you are guilty of the offence for which you are being questioned, the first thing you need to do is to immediately seek legal advice. With our team’s expertise we can support you throughout the investigation, and if the police decide to charge you, we will be able to prepare for and represent you in court.
The police may decide to remove property which they believe may be of interest to the investigation, including computers, laptops, mobile which you own/have access to. This will be kept until the investigation is complete and you will be advised when it can be returned to you.
If your work or voluntary role involves children and/or vulnerable adults or you’ve been arrested, investigated, or charged with a ‘relevant offence’ then the police may decide to inform your employer and/or regulatory or licensing body.
An allegation of sexual assault can have devastating effects on you, your family and your friends. It can be a difficult decision to deal with, especially if the allegation is untrue. The facts of a sexual assault allegation will be personal and complex and have long-lasting consequences.
Michael Horne and Abby Washbourne, who are featured in this video, will be working with you on your case. If you would like to make an enquiry, please call the office.
No, you should never do this. Whether you are guilty or innocent never make any kind of contact as this could damage your case.
As soon as you have been asked to appear at the police station – even voluntarily – you should arrange to have legal representation. Even if you are innocent.
A criminal defence solicitor is used to dealing with the police in offences such as these. A solicitor will communicate with the officer in the case and obtain details of the facts. A solicitor will be able to give you this information so that you are aware of what you are being accused of before the police interview. Without legal representation there is no duty of disclosure.
There is no time limit placed on making an allegation of sexual assault although it is usually near to the time of the incident. Once the matter has been reported the police will start obtaining evidence and take the case forward.
Irrespective of when the sexual assault is said to have taken place, the police will look to obtain evidence of the offence. If the allegation relates to a recent assault, samples will be obtained.
Mobile phones and computers will be checked for evidence. Never delete any contact prior or after interview. Emails or text messages from the accuser could help prove consent. Equally if you destroy evidence, it could be perceived that you are trying to cover something up.