Sexual Offences

At Ackroyd Legal, we handle all our cases with the greatest levels of care. Our Solicitors have a combined experience of over 300 years in the practice and are leading specialists in handling cases regarding sexual offences.

Rape (including date rape) is a sexual assault involving intentional intercourse or penetration to which the other party has not given their consent, as defined by Section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Rape is a very serious offence, carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

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If a complaint is made to the police and a person is charged with rape as a result, they will face trial by jury at the Crown Court, due to the severity of this offence and the nature of the sentences that may be imposed if a guilty verdict is delivered.

Despite the fact that people of both genders can be victims, only males can face rape charges, although a female defendant could face secondary charges for her involvement if an offence is committed.

If you are facing a rape allegation, you will need urgent legal representation, regardless of the circumstances and even if you know the claims to be completely untrue. It is absolutely essential to instruct a solicitor immediately, and the criminal defence specialists at Ackroyd Legal will be able to help you. If you are facing police questioning over an accusation of rape or date rape, please call us immediately, and we can provide the representation, advice and support that you will need. It is important to remember that the accused is presumed innocent until proven otherwise, meaning that the burden of proof will rest upon the prosecution to show beyond any reasonable doubt that you have committed this offence. To this end, the police will carry out an investigation and a case will be built against you, however we will work with you in order to present the strongest possible defence. There are two elements that the prosecution will be seeking to prove, that the act of penetration has taken place, and that consent was not given.

In many cases involving an accusation of date rape, the key question is not about whether or not sexual contact has occurred, in fact this may not even be in dispute; but rather the issue of consent to engage in intercourse or penetration. The court will look at whether or not consent was given, and how you determined that consent had been obtained.

Whatever the circumstances, we will be sure to present the strongest possible defence against the claims brought against you. We will look at all of the facts and assess the evidence that the police have gathered against you, examining issues of consent and all of the elements surrounding what has happened. We will build your defence based on the charges that you are facing and all of the facts of your case; and provide clear, straightforward legal advice on the best way to proceed, with a view to achieving the most favourable outcome.

If you are facing any kind of rape allegation or if you are charged, this can have a huge impact on your life, your career and your family. The criminal defence solicitors at Ackroyd Legal are experts in this area of law and will provide continued support and robust representation during what can be a terribly difficult time for you and the people you care about.

A historical sexual offence is one for which the accused person is prosecuted many years after the incident is alleged to have taken place. A charge of an historical sexual offence can often be a shock to the person who suddenly finds themselves accused. These are situations that often arise out of the blue with no apparent warning and the allegations can date back many years. The delay in the alleged victim making the complaint will not in itself affect the nature or seriousness of the charges relating to a historical sexual offence, as the law imposes no time limit in which the allegation must be brought.

If you find yourself accused of an historic sexual offence, or if you are facing questioning over such an allegation, it is essential to instruct a solicitor at the first opportunity, and the criminal defence solicitors at Ackroyd Legal can help you. We fully understand that these allegations can be devastating for the accused and their family, who in many cases will never have been in trouble with the police before. Your criminal defence solicitor will be by your side throughout this process to provide the expert guidance that you need. We will work with you to establish your movements and circumstances on the date and time in question, and establish your defence against these allegations.

Whatever the situation, if you are facing an allegation of an historical sexual offence it is essential to seek legal representation immediately, even if you are certain that there must have been a mistake, the claims are malicious or that you are not even the person they should be looking for. After questioning, there is the possibility that you may be charged, depending on the evidence presented. If this should happen, we will work on your behalf to build your case and prepare for trial. With a dynamic, resolute approach to your defence we will aim to separate the facts from fiction, always looking after your interests and aiming for the best possible outcome. It is essential to have specialist legal advice as soon as you are aware that a complaint of an historic sexual offence has or may have been made.

If you are facing an allegation or a charge relating to sexual offences against children, or if you are subject to an investigation or police questioning, it is essential to seek legal advice and representation immediately. The criminal defence solicitors at Ackroyd Legal have diverse experience in this area of law, and can provide the advice, representation and support that you will need. Please contact us and we will be able to help you.

Charges of sexual offences against children are extremely serious, and in some cases will carry long custodial sentences. Having expert legal advice and experienced and highly competent legal representation from the start can make a significant difference to the outcome of your case. If you have been falsely accused, we will defend you against the claims with a view to ensuring that they are dropped immediately. Whatever the nature of the allegations against you, we will look at all of the facts and evidence surrounding these, build the strongest possible defence and advise you on the best course of action.

If you find yourself facing an allegation of sexual offences against children, this can have a devastating effect on you, your family, your career and your life. Our experienced team of criminal defence solicitors have the skills and expertise to provide the expert legal advice, representation and support that you need, with a view to achieving the best possible outcome.

Sexual assault is a very serious offence, carrying a range of sentencing options depending on the nature and circumstances of the offence and the evidence presented. If you are accused of sexual assault, you need experienced legal representation, and it is essential to instruct a solicitor immediately, even if you are certain that you are not guilty any offence.

Some charges of sexual assault are subject to summary trial in the magistrates’ court without a jury present, where sentencing powers are more limited. A more serious charge of sexual assault will however be subject to trial by jury and may carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years. It is therefore vital to ensure that you have experienced, competent legal representation from the start, and the criminal defence specialists at Ackroyd Legal have a great deal of experience in defending charges of sexual assault. We will work on your behalf to build your defence and will always strive towards achieving the best possible outcome. We fully appreciate the stressful nature of having to face a charge of sexual assault, and we will support you throughout this process and ensure that you are fully prepared for trial and kept fully updated as your case progresses.

Whatever the situation, it is important to get help quickly.

The law relating to indecent images and photographs is a complex area, and the charges and possible sentences will depend upon whether or not you were indeed in possession of the offending images, as well as what you did or intended to do with them.

There are essentially five different levels of offences relating to indecent images, on an ascending scale, with level one being the relatively minor category of offence, and five being the most serious. In some cases a conviction could result in a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. The charges brought against you will depend very much upon the circumstances, however it is generally considered that holding images solely for personal use is a lesser offence than creating or distributing such material. However, even if the indecent images are for personal use, you may still be guilty of a criminal offence, and it is important not to underestimate the situation, and to instruct a solicitor as soon as you are aware of a complaint or of police involvement. Our specialist criminal defence solicitors have considerable expertise and understanding of the law relating to indecent images. We will examine your case based on all of the evidence and provide clear and practical legal advice on the best course of action, based on the elements of the prosecution case as well as any mitigating factors that can be applied to your situation.