Natasha McGarr

Notable Cases

Bolton Crown Court (2016) – Kidnap & Committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence

The Defendant was charged with kidnapping a female with the intention to rape her. CCTV footage had been obtained by the police and from a distance appeared to support the complainant’s version of events. Following the instruction of an expert to enhance the CCTV footage, this showed that the complainant’s account was, at least in part, false. The Defendant was acquittal after a trial.

Following his acquittal, the defendant applied for a DBS to resume his work as a taxi driver. The police wanted to disclose the allegation that was made, even though he had been acquitted by a jury following the trial. Successful representations were made and the allegation was not disclosed as part of the DBS application.

Warwick Crown Court (2016) – Sexual offences

Trial involving 12 defendants jointly charged with serious sexual offences. Defendant charged with 7 counts, including the facilitation of child prostitution, sexual activity with a child, penetrative sexual activity with a child, two counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault. After a three-month trial the defendant was acquitted of the serious sexual offences and convicted of only the two less serious counts which carried a significantly lower sentencing range. 

Leicester Crown Court (2017) – Making Indecent Images

The defendant was charged with making indecent images of children. An expert was instructed to assess whether the defendant could have accessed the images on his devices. On the first day of trial the prosecution accepted there was no evidence to show the defendant had in fact accessed the images, or even had knowledge of the images on his devices. The prosecution offered no evidence and the case was dismissed.

Winchester Crown Court (2017) – Murder

The defendant was charged with murder after a body had been found with a serious trauma to the head and multiple stab wounds. The Crown argued that the defendant was not suffering from an abnormality of the mind at the time the offence was committed. It was successfully established by the defence that in fact he was suffering from schizophrenia and was unfit to stand trial.

Manchester Crown Court (2018) – Possession with Intent to Supply Drugs

The defendant admitted possession of drugs with intent to supply them and was facing a lengthy custodial sentence. Expert evidence was obtained to assist with the defendant’s personal mitigation. He was suffering from issues with his mental health and gender identity. The Judge was persuaded that he could depart from the sentencing guidelines due to the mitigation advanced and an immediate custodial sentence was avoided.

Bolton Crown Court (2019) – Common Assault & Committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence

The defendant was charged with committing an offence of common assault with the intention of raping the female involved. Successful representations were made to the Crown concerning the lack of evidence of the alleged intent. The most serious charge was consequently discontinued and the case was remitted back to the Magistrates’ Court to deal with the common assault.

Manchester Crown Court (2019) – Cultivation of Cannabis

Four young males were charged with cultivation of cannabis after being located by the police at a cannabis farm. Issues of modern slavery were advanced. The Crown discontinued the case and offered no evidence against the defendants.

Manchester Crown Court (2020) – Serious Assault

The defendant was charged with a serious section 18 assault. Successful representations were made to the Crown and a guilty plea to a s.47 assault was accepted. The defendant managed to avoid a conviction for the serious assault, where the maximum sentence was life imprisonment. He was sentenced to 28 months imprisonment.

Leeds Magistrates Court (2019) – Various Offences

The defendant was autistic and suffered from serious behavioural issues. He was subject to a Community Protection Notice (CPN) and various breaches of that were alleged. This was alongside offences of threats to kill, indecent exposure and criminal damage. The defendant pleaded guilty to offences and was facing an immediate custodial sentence. The defence worked together with the courts and health care professionals to find a suitable supported living accommodation, enabling the Judge to impose a mental health treatment requirement thus avoiding a custodial sentence.

Tameside Magistrates Court (2020) – DV Common Assault

The defendant was accused of assaulting his son at the family home. The defendant and his wife were separated but were still living in the same address at the time the allegation was made. The defendant denied assaulting his son and after trial, the defendant was acquitted of the assault.

Manchester Magistrates Court (2020) – Breach of Restraining Order

The defendant was accused of breaching his restraining order by sending a series of text messages to his ex-partner. He denied sending the messages and the matter was listed for trial. The complainant did attend the trial to give evidence and the Crown’s application to adjourn the trial was refused. The trial proceeded and the defendant was successfully acquitted.

Manchester Magistrates Court (2020) – Breach of Community Order

The defendant was accused of breaching a community order by failing to comply with his electronically monitored curfew. It was successfully argued that the breach of community order allegation should be withdrawn and the defendant was allowed to continue with the order already in place.

Tameside Magistrates Court (2021) – DV Common Assault & Threats to kill

The defendant was charged with common assault and making threats to kill. Following discussions with the Prosecutor on the day of trial, the Defendant pleaded guilty to the assault on a basis and the CPS offered no evidence on the other counts. The court were persuaded to impose a financial penalty only.