The trial of three men on charges of kidnap, false imprisonment and blackmail collapsed at Isleworth crown court on Tuesday 21st July. The prosecution decided to offer no evidence following written submissions by Marguerite Russell and Russell Fraser of Garden Court on disclosure and Public Interest Immunity.
The men were accused of kidnapping a man who owed them thousands of pounds. The prosecution further alleged the man was beaten, threatened and humiliated during his detention over two days.
Following several months on remand awaiting trial all three men were released the same day.
Marguerite Russell and Russell Fraser represented the defendant SF and were instructed by Keith Wood of Lewis Nedas solicitors. Marguerite Russell is a member of the Garden Court Crime Team. She led Russell Fraser, a third-six pupil at Garden Court Chambers