Thom Dyke secures not guilty verdict in attempted murder

In September 2021, police attended a hotel in Surbiton following reports of an incident.  The complainant told officers her partner had beaten her and strangled her, telling her “now is your time to die”. She told police he licked the blood from her face and that his behaviour was like that of a serial killer. As a result of her extensive maxillofacial injuries she was taken to Kingston Hospital for treatment.

Thom acted on behalf of the defendant, who was arrested and charged with attempted murder. After a five-day trial at Kingston Crown Court, during which the complainant was cross-examined at length to highlight the inconsistencies in her account, the defendant was found not guilty of attempted murder.  He received a sentence of six years’ imprisonment for causing grievous bodily harm with intent.