Quentin gains conviction in harassment private prosecution

Quentin Hunt, together with a junior colleague from his Chambers acted on a direct public access basis on behalf of Mr and Mrs LC in a private prosecution of their neighbour who had been harassing them.  

Mr and Mrs LC purchased a property in the Wimbledon area of London at auction with the intention of using it as a buy to let investment. As soon as they took possession of the property they faced significant abuse and harassment from their upstairs neighbour.

These actions included-

• Leaving debris in and around their property;
• Verbally abusing them;
• Blocking communal pathways with plants and rubbish;
• Putting up a CCTV camera with the intention of invading their privacy;
• Threatening Mrs LC with a hammer;
• Purposefully starting a leak from their upstairs premises so as to flood Mr and Mrs LC’s flat below.

These actions became unbearable, and the authorities appeared to be doing very little for Mr and Mrs LC, they therefore contacted Quentin Hunt for assistance by way of a private prosecution.

Quentin took instructions from the couple and all the relevant and necessary steps were taken towards the launching of a private prosecution. Quentin worked in tandem with a junior colleague from his Chambers Mr Rhys Rosser on a direct public access basis. In the case Quentin acted as advocate whilst Rhys acted as disclosure officer and dealt with the litigation in the case.

In due course, a summons was applied for and was issued by the Magistrates Court, the defendant was accused of Harassment, contrary to s2 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and threatening words and behaviour contrary to s4 of the Public Order Act 1986. The defendant entered not guilty pleas and the matter was set down for trial before a district judge at the Wimbledon Magistrates Court.

At a trial before a District Judge, the defendant presented a comprehensive defence and was represented by experienced counsel but was duly convicted of all counts. She was sentenced to an extensive community order and had a comprehensive restraining order put in place preventing similar behaviour in the future. The Court also made an award of costs against the defendant towards the cost of the private prosecutor.

Quentin Hunt is an award-winning criminal Barrister with over 22 years’ experience. Quentin is well known for conducting private prosecutions, further details of his work can be seen at www.private-prosecution.co.uk. You may contact Quentin for further details on the case.

Due to high demand for private prosecution cases Quentin operates a fixed fee ‘triage’ service where he will speak to the client in conference in order to determine whether a private prosecution is a realistic and appropriate option and if so, what next steps could be taken.