Fred Batstone secures acquittal in County Lines drugs supply trial

Fred Batstone, instructed by Ella Hughes of Rustem Guardian Solicitors, represented PM, who was acquitted of being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine, and on one count of possession of criminal property. 

PM’s co-Defendant had pleaded guilty prior to the trial at Cambridge Crown Court. The Prosecution’s case was that the co-Defendant had been running the drug line between his Croydon address and Cambridge with the assistance of PM. They relied on over 1000 pages of cell site data across four months to show PM’s co-location with his co-Defendant, as well as his attendance at the Croydon address and on at least two trips to Cambridge. The Prosecution further relied on PM’s DNA found on electronic scales and a saucepan at the Croydon address, where a police search had found Class A drugs and almost £10,000 in cash. 

Fred argued there was an innocent explanation for the journeys and for his DNA at the address in Croydon, as well as the £680 in cash found at his own property.