Sexual Offences Solicitors 

Criminal cases involving sexual offences are deeply distressing, whether you have been the victim of such conduct or are defending yourself from these accusations. By seeking legal advice from Newtons Solicitors, you can rest assured that your sexual offence lawyer will provide you with advice and representation tailored to the specifics of your case, drawing on decades of experience supporting both complainants and defendants in such matters.

What Are Sexual Offences?

Sexual offences are criminal acts that involve sexual activity without valid consent, including situations where consent was not freely given or an individual was legally incapable of providing consent. Primarily outlined in the Sexual Offences Act 2003, these offences are treated with the utmost seriousness by UK courts to protect individuals from sexual harm and exploitation, while reinforcing the requirement of informed and voluntary consent in sexual relationships.

In UK law, sentencing and convictions for sexual offences are guided by the following three definitions:

Consent

Consent is the voluntary, informed and enthusiastic agreement of one person to engage in sexual activity with another, assuming that this person has the freedom and capacity to make this choice. Under Section 75 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, consent is not considered valid where a person has been subjected to or threatened with violence, unlawfully detained, substantially impaired by alcohol or drugs, or unable to communicate consent due to a disability. 

Age of Consent

The age of consent in the UK is 16. Anyone under the age of 16 is not legally capable of providing informed consent, and therefore any sexual activity with someone under this age is illegal, regardless of apparent agreement. 

Position of Trust

The law provides extra protection where there is a relationship of authority or dependency between the parties, such as teachers and pupils, care workers and their clients, or other adults responsible for supervising young people. Due to the inherent imbalance of power in these relationships, engaging in sexual activity with a person under 18 is considered a criminal offence. 

Support for Defendants and Victims of Sexual Abuse

Sexual offence cases can have a profound emotional and practical impact on everyone involved. For victims of sexual abuse, the process of coming forward and engaging with the criminal justice system can be overwhelming, particularly when they are required to recount their traumatic experiences and these accounts are challenged during proceedings. As for individuals accused of sexual offences, such allegations can have serious implications for their reputation, employment, relationships and wellbeing, especially while investigations are still ongoing.  

At Newtons Solicitors, we are familiar with the impact these cases can have on all the parties involved and approach every matter with the due sensitivity and professionalism. By working with our team of solicitors specialising in sexual offences, we can guarantee clear and compassionate support throughout the process, combined with robust legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Our experienced specialists are instructed in and provide advice on the following cases:

Grooming

Building relationships with children or vulnerable individuals for the purpose of gaining trust and facilitating sexual exploitation can constitute a serious criminal offence. By examining any communication or digital materials between the parties, our sexual offence lawyers can challenge misleading interpretations and ensure our client’s account is fairly represented.

Historic Sexual Abuse 

Reports of sexual abuse alleged to have occurred years or even decades earlier often rely heavily on recollected accounts, with limited corroborating evidence. As your sexual abuse solicitor, we would assess the reliability of witness accounts, identifying any inconsistencies and addressing the challenges associated with delayed reporting.

Indecent Exposure

Publicly exposing genitals with the intention to cause alarm or distress to witnesses can result in criminal prosecution. In cases of this nature, our solicitors scrutinise the context surrounding the incident, challenging the evidence of intent and determining whether the alleged conduct actually satisfies the definition of the offence.  

Indecent Images Offences 

The possession, production or distribution of sexual images involving children carries severe penalties and cases such as these depend on complex digital evidence to establish guilt. Whether defending or prosecuting allegations of this nature, your sexual abuse solicitor will need to conduct a forensic examination of the digital material to establish who was using the relevant devices or accounts, whether they were aware of the material and what their intentions were. 

Rape and Sexual Assault 

Allegations of rape or sexual assault involve claims that intentional sexual activity or behaviour occurred without the active consent of the complainant. As these cases are highly dependent on the facts, your solicitor will consider the validity or alleged absence of consent while examining any inconsistencies in the accounts to ensure each party is properly challenged and presented.

Revenge Porn

Sharing intimate images or videos of another person without their consent and with the intention of causing distress is a criminal offence under Section 33 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015. By carefully examining the circumstances in which the material was disclosed, your sexual offence lawyer will assess the intent to determine whether the legal elements of the offence are satisfied.

Sexual Harm Prevention Orders (SHPOs) 

The Magistrates’ Court has the authority to impose restrictions on any individual whom they consider to pose a risk of sexual harm to others. Being made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) can significantly restrict where you can live, work, travel, and who you can associate with, which is why our solicitors seek to challenge the necessity of these conditions and pursue variation or discharge where appropriate.

Sexual Offences Involving Children 

Allegations involving individuals under the age of 18 are treated with exceptional seriousness and engage additional legal protections to safeguard children throughout the criminal process, such as the Children Act 2004. In light of these protections, your specialist solicitor in sexual offences will provide clear guidance on the relevant legal frameworks while addressing the associated child welfare considerations.

Sexual Risk Orders (SROs)

Preventative orders may be imposed where an individual is believed to present a risk of sexual harm, even in the absence of prior convictions. As these orders can significantly restrict your employment, travel and social interactions, our solicitors promise to argue against any conditions that we deem to be unnecessary or disproportionate. 

Voyeurism and Upskirting

Observing or recording private activity without consent, such as taking images under clothing, is considered a criminal offence. Given the strong evidential basis of these cases, your sexual offence solicitor will challenge the alleged intent behind the images while scrutinising the circumstances in which they were taken. 

Organisations with Accusations of Sexual Offences

When allegations of sexual offences arise within an organisation, the impact can be immediate and widespread. Details of the allegations becoming public can cause significant reputational damage to the business, disrupt its daily operations and undermine its employees’ morale. Managing these issues is crucial to minimising potential harm to your business and employees, which is why seeking legal advice at the earliest stage is essential to ensure you comply with relevant legal and regulatory obligations.

By instructing Newtons Solicitors, your sexual offence lawyer will be able to guide your organisation through these sensitive situations, structuring their support according to the nature and stage of your current investigation to ensure your business’s legal position is protected throughout. If you decide to pursue an internal investigation, we can help you to establish a robust process, supporting you with evidence gathering and advising you on disciplinary procedures. 

Following this investigation, if your organisation believes that concerns need to be reported externally, your sexual offence solicitor can advise on the relevant confidentiality and disclosure obligations to ensure your decision to involve the police or other agencies is made with careful consideration. Where police involvement has already begun, we will support you with your communications with investigators, advising you during interviews under caution and coordinating your response to protect your legal interests.

Newtons Solicitors for Sexual Abuse Offences

Whether you are facing allegations of a sexual nature or are living with the impact of experiencing such crimes, our team of solicitors specialising in sexual offences promise to represent your interests in court and pursue justice against those responsible. For further information about any of the legal terminology on this page, or to discuss your circumstances in confidence, please contact us today to speak with one of our criminal law specialists.