John Hay

R v S Road Traffic Offences. The client woke up beside a friend’s crashed motor vehicle and was found to be over the legal limit. The friend alleged the client had taken the vehicle without his consent, and the client had no recollection of matters leading up to the incident. The client was ultimately acquitted of driving with excess alcohol and taking the vehicle without consent as the Magistrates’ were persuaded that the friend may have been taking advantage of the client’s loss of memory to cover up his own driving.

R v T Lewd Behaviour. The client was allegedly in a state of undress in his own bedroom, but gesturing and waving at an off-duty police officer’s wife in an adjoining property. The client maintained that his gestures were intended to shoo her way, and he was acquitted after trial.

R v A Theft. The client received the benefit of thoughtful and persuasive mitigation and was allowed a further chance to address his drug use under a suspended sentence despite the commission of further like offences.