A well-known and successful rap artist represented by Lloyds PR Solicitors has been acquitted of three counts of Class A Drugs supply which is said to have spanned a four month period. The client was alleged to have been running multiple Class A drug telephone lines during this period as part of a 'County Lines’ operation in Hertfordshire.

The case involved extensive legal argument on bad character regarding the client’s drill/trap videos concerning serious violence and Class A drug dealing, which had garnered millions of views on YouTube.

The Crown sought to adduce the videos, an application which was successfully opposed by instructed counsel Charles Drinnan. It was instead our client’s lyrics which were adduced. Evidence of the client’s commercial success and professional production of his art were deployed during trial to demonstrate that the material was creative expression and not autobiographical.

Following an extensive review of over 20,000 pages of call data records by instructing solicitor Oliver Mather, instructed counsel was able to deploy propositions reflected in the data which ran contrary to the Crown’s narrative.

In addition counsel was able to cross-examine the detective in charge of the investigation concerning confirmation bias and inconsistency. The case also involved cross-examination of a data analyst and drug expert witness. Via the use of such analysis, the defence team were able to advance the defendant’s case to the jury that he was not in charge of the incriminating telephone handset at the material times.

After nearly four hours of deliberation, the jury unanimously acquitted the client of all 3 Counts.

This case was litigated by Oliver Mather with the assistance of Scarlett Mathison and Marcus Andoh. Charles Drinnnan of 2 Harcourt Buildings was instructed as Trial Counsel.