Stella Harris led Shahida Begum of the Garden Court Crime Team, instructed by Leila Abdul-Rasool of Lewis Nedas Solicitors.
The allegations arose from the extensive investigation into the gang-related kidnap and killing of Turkish DJ Koray Alpergin by The Tottenham Turks and their associates. K was charged with conspiracy to kidnap and assisting an offender, alongside a co-defendant.
It was alleged that K allowed his friend TK, who was convicted of manslaughter in an earlier trial, to leave his mobile device at his home address to create a digital alibi and to change his clothes there, to avoid CCTV detection. After the killing, K was alleged to have travelled with his co-defendant to collect TK, so that he could collect his device and change back into his regular clothes.
Through careful analysis of the mobile telephone and cell-site evidence, it was possible to argue that that K’s movements and call patterns were equally consistent with his everyday behaviour.
Through consideration of the wider investigation and unused material, it could be properly argued that the extreme nature of the kidnap and killing made it unlikely that the extent of this criminal venture would have been shared widely beyond a select number of trusted individuals.
By the time K was interviewed and later, tried, in connection with these allegations, he was extremely unwell. Expert medical evidence was relied upon relating to his health conditions and the impact of pain medication upon his memory and cognitive functioning. Submissions were accepted by the trial judge, that exceptionally, an adverse inference direction was not appropriate in this instance, following K’s decision not to give evidence.
Stella Harris led Shahida Begum. They were instructed by Leila Abdul-Rasool, Consultant Solicitor at Lewis Nedas Solicitors, who obtained several medical reports within a short space of time; the defendant having been belatedly charged and joined to the proceedings of his co-defendant.
