Megan Edwards appeared at the Criminal Court of Appeal in July 2026, securing a reduced and suspended sentence for an Armed Forces veteran of previous good character.
Megan Edwards appeared for the Appellant, who was sentenced to 27 months immediate custody in April of this year for a single offence of Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm that occurred in September 2021. A Restraining Order was also imposed for a period of six years.
The Appellant was a man of previous good character, a former Armed Forces veteran who conducted two tours of Afghanistan in service of his country. He had a complete work history and a young family. Moreover, he had not offended in the five years since the assault.
Through detailed written submissions and oral arguments, Counsel successfully argued that insufficient weight had been afforded to the Appellant’s mitigation; that the sentence was wrong in principle and ought to have been suspended; and that a Restraining Order was not necessary in the circumstances of the case.
The Court of Appeal reduced the sentence from 27 months to 20 months custody affording more weight for the Appellant’s mitigation, suspended the sentence for a period of two years, and quashed the Restraining Order, finding no evidential basis for imposition of the same.
Ms Edwards was instructed by Roz Weekes of Tuckers Solicitors.
For further details on Megan Edwards and the Criminal Department at 18 St John Street Chambers please contact Chambers Director James Parks, or Criminal Senior Clerk James Hotchin on 0161 278 1800 or crime@18sjs.com.