Quentin assists client with successful Victim’s Right to Review application

Quentin was approached by Miss xx who had approached Police with an allegation of historic sexual assault.

Although the account provided by Miss xx was clear and cogent, the Police had decided to take no further action on the matter and sent Miss xx notice that the investigation had been discontinued.

Miss xx had not been well served by the Police, there were changes in personnel throughout the investigation and it appeared to Quentin that multiple avenues of investigation had not been followed. In addition, it appeared that the Police had not followed their own policies and procedures in respect of the investigation and the eventual decision to take no further action.

Miss xx was dismayed by the decision and felt lost in the procedure. She instructed Quentin Hunt on a direct public access basis in order that he could explain the process to her, explain her rights and appeal routes and crucially liaise with the police on her behalf and make representations on her behalf to ensure that the investigation was re-opened and concluded in a satisfactory way.

Upon instruction Quentin liaised with the police and made sure that the proper procedures were followed, this included providing Miss xx with proper reasons for why no further action was being taken. Quentin then activated the victim’s right to review procedure on behalf of Miss xx, he also provided Police with detailed representations, both showing why their decision to discontinue the investigation was wrong and indicating to them areas of additional investigation and research that should be undertaken in order to collect the requisite evidence for charge. Quentin liaised with the officer in charge of the review throughout in order to make sure that the representations were properly received and assisting in any way so as to maximise Miss xx’s chance of success.

Following a thorough review process by the reviewing officer, Quentin’s representations were accepted. The decision to take no further action was reversed and a new Officer in the Case (“OIC”) was appointed with instructions to pursue multiple lines of investigation. Miss xx was delighted at the result.

Have you been the victim of crime and had your case discontinued or has a decision been made not to charge the perpetrator? Such a position can be extremely upsetting and, in some cases, entirely unjust. Quentin Hunt is a Criminal Barrister with over 24 years’ experience dealing with high level prosecutions. He is a specialist in pursuing the Victim’s Right to Review procedure and assisting his clients in making sure that meritorious prosecutions are not discontinued or abandoned.

Quentin has written a guide to the VRR process that can be of assistance to those that are not well acquainted with the system,

You may contact Quentin for a free, no obligation conversation about how he may be able to assist in your case.