CHARLES DRINNAN SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS RAPPER ACCUSED OF CLASS A DRUG SUPPLY

A well-known and successful rap artist represented by Charles Drinnan was acquitted this week at St Albans Crown Court. The client was alleged to have been running multiple drug telephone lines supplying Class A drugs in a 'County Lines’ operation in Hertfordshire.

The case involved extensive legal argument on bad character regarding the client’s drill/trap videos concerning serious violence and Class A drug dealing, which had garnered millions of views on YouTube. The Crown sought to adduce the videos, which Charles successfully opposed. The lyrics were adduced. Charles deployed evidence of the client’s commercial success and professional production of his art to demonstrate that the material was creative expression and not autobiographical. A tactical decision to adduce his previous Class A supply convictions was made to demonstrate that the client had previously pleaded when he was guilty.

Following an extensive review of 27,000 pages of telephone material by instructing solicitor Oliver Mather, Charles was able to deploy propositions reflected in the data which ran contrary to the Crown’s narrative, as well as cross-examination of the detective in charge of the investigation concerning confirmation bias and inconsistency. The case also involved cross-examination of a data analyst and drug expert witness.

After nearly four hours of deliberation, the jury unanimously acquitted the client of 3 Counts of Class A drug supply.

Charles was instructed by Oliver Mather of Lloyds PR Solicitors.