James Onalaja represented the 14 year old defendant who faced trial alongside his adult co-defendants at the Crown Court with respect to allegations of conspiracy to kidnap, false imprisonment, causing Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) with intent and possession of imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
The case involved an allegation of revenge attack and torture with weapons to extract information, stemming from a suspicion that the complainant had been involved in a burglary of the home of some of the defendants. The Youth’s alleged involvement in the kidnap and false imprisonment as well as the co-defendants’ alleged subsequent torturing of the complainant utilising the firearm was captured on various CCTV, audio and video recordings from the scene, and was allegedly further documented by way of phone, digital and cell cite evidence.
Following James’ written submissions on the nature of the youth