Oliver Saxby QC completes closing speech in major sex abuse case
January 22, 2018
The Crown finished their closing speech in the case of Hussain and others on Friday 12th January, the trial having commenced on 9th October. It is one of the largest of its type ever conducted, involving eleven defendants and six complainants. The allegations date back to the late 1990s and span a period of about seven years. The Crown allege widespread sexual exploitation and grooming, largely in and around Oxford, by a group of local males in respect of six complainants aged between 14 and 17. The Crown closed its case in early December and the defence cases began shortly thereafter. Two defendants gave evidence and, following argument on the lengthy and detailed Legal Directions, the Crown’s speech began on Friday 5th January. In all, there are 36 counts of rape/conspiracy to rape, indecent assault and sexual activity under both the old law and the new law. Complex factual issues aside, the case involves substantial issues of law, in particular on the topics of bad character, cross-admissibility, identification and consent.
Oliver Saxby QC is leading Alan Gardner and Lauren Sales (both of 23 Essex St). They are instructed by the Complex Case Unit, CPS Thames Chiltern.
