Tom Wainwright has successfully secured the acquittal of a participant in the 'Critical Mass' protest which took place on the opening night of the Olympic Games following a four-day appeal at Southwark Crown Court. The Defendant, who had been unrepresented in the original trial in the Magistrates' Court, was charged with failing to comply with an order imposed on a procession under s.12 of the Public Order Act 1986 after he rode to East London to exercise his right to protest.
The trial involved an extensive challenge to the necessity and proportionality of the tactics used by the Metropolitan Police, as well as raising questions about the legality of the order itself. The Defendant was acquitted after the court concluded that three police officers had lied in their evidence about whether the Defendant was informed of the terms of the order.
Tom Wainwright was instructed by ITN Solicitors.
The case was reported in the media, including by the BBC.
Tom Wainwright is a member of the Crime Team.
