Matthew Ralston represented LA, one of four young men charged with Class A drug trafficking offences. 

The prosecution case was that the defendants were involved in a ‘county lines’ drug dealing operation. The case relied on extensive cell site evidence purported linking the defendants to the travel of a drugs phone across the Indictment period. LA advanced a defence under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. 

Through cross examination, it was established that the attribution of the phone attributed to LA was fundamentally flawed and the police had destroyed potentially relevant evidence which could go to LAs defence under the Modern Slavery Act.

At the close of the prosecution case, following submissions, one offence was withdrawn from the jury on the basis of insufficient evidence.

After a 9-day trial at Guildford Crown Court, the jury unanimously acquitted LA of all remaining counts. 

Matthew was instructed by Mia Gregory of ABV Solicitors.