Alex Mullen of QEB Hollis Whiteman appeared on behalf of SK, accused alongside his father of assaulting a 22-year-old man outside a school in Watford, causing him actual bodily harm.
SK, then a 16-year-old student at the school, was alleged to have punched the complainant repeatedly in the face, as well has kneeing him in the face and groin in the incident outside the school in 2023.
Parties agreed that the incident was the continuation of a dispute between SK's younger sister and the younger brother of the complainant, also students at the school.
The assault was caught on mobile phone footage from three student bystanders, showing SK using force against the complainant as alleged.
Further footage was secured, showing the complainant approaching SK and his father. Alex sought to persuade the jury that the manner of his approach was aggressive, and that he had intimated that he had a knife in his possession by his actions. No knife was ever found.
SK would go on to tell the jury that he believed the complainant had a weapon, and his actions were in lawful self-defence and defence of his father.
Following the evidence, including the lengthy cross-examination of the complainant, both Defendants were quickly acquitted including Alex's client SK, the First Defendant at trial.
The incident was reported in the local press at the time:
Alex Mullen