Sean Minihan’s young client acquitted of murder and manslaughter at Bradford Crown Court

Case Overview

Sean Minihan represented a young man in a six-handed trial where all defendants faced allegations of murder and manslaughter. The prosecution also charged Sean’s client with conspiracy to burgle, resulting in a conviction on that charge.

The five-week trial at Bradford Crown Court involved a deceased individual who was a known drug dealer. The case centered on allegations that Sean’s client either organised or participated in a burglary during which the deceased was strangled and ultimately died.

Sean Minihan was led by Ahmed Hossain KC and was instructed by the excellent Katie Scott of Sills & Betteridge.

The Defence Case 

Sean’s client was 17 years old at the time of the incident and 20 years old by the trial date. Two prior trials had been aborted, and the original junior barrister was sacked just weeks before the trial began.  Sean was brought into the case specifically to address the critical issues at hand. Through meticulous analysis of the CCTV footage, the defence demonstrated that the defendant never entered the premises and therefore could not have strangled the deceased.

The jury acquitted all defendants of murder.  While the court convicted all other defendants of manslaughter, Sean’s client avoided that conviction.

BBC news coverage

About the Barrister

Sean Minihan was called to the bar in 1988. He is a specialist defence barrister instructed in serious, complex and often high profile cases.

To instruct Sean, please contact his clerks, Ryan Bartlett or Amie Harris on 020 7404 1881.