Jonathan Green’s client found not guilty in high-profile attempted murder

Mobile phone footage of a man being repeatedly stabbed on a train in Beckenham, South London went viral and was shown on TV news in the UK and abroad.

Jonathan Green, who was instructed by Jas Virdee at Virdee Solicitors represented Rakeem Thomas, 19, who was charged with Attempted Murder, Wounding with Intent to Cause GBH and Affray. At the conclusion of the two week trial, at Inner London Crown Court, the jury found him not guilty on all counts, on the basis of lawful self-defence.

As the trial progressed, it was established that it was the alleged victim, Kyran Deriggs O’Shea who produced the 12 inch Rambo knife and used it to attack Thomas, who had good reason to fear for his life. During the struggle, Thomas managed to get control of the knife and used it to stab Deriggs, stopping when Deriggs ceased trying to grab the knife back.

On the basis of the viral video clip alone, the case against Mr Thomas looked overwhelming. However, the jury heard evidence about both men’s background and other CCTV material which was not reported, which put his actions into the correct context.

This case illustrates the importance of helping the jury understand that, even in an apparently open-and-shut case, things are not always as they seem.