Two Thanet men have had not guilty verdicts returned on one charge each of money laundering.
Matthew Brown, of Margate, and Mark Marshall, of Cliftonville, were found not guilty on May 22 following a trial at Southwark Crown Court.
The arrests had taken place after warrants were carried out in 2019 at six properties across Dartford, Margate and Ramsgate as part of an investigation by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.
There were also hung verdicts for four other men charged with money laundering and two with additional drug offence charges.
A most curious piece of un-news.
May I add that Phyllis Quot has not been found guilty of money laundering, either.
If I publish news to say they are arrested and charged, it’s fair to publish that they received not guilty verdicts
100% agree Kathy. Also would appreciate an update on the ‘hung’ jury. Is there going to be a re-trial?
I asked but CPS said no decision made at this point
Phyllis Quot should have been locked-up years ago! 🙂
Actually I found this fascinating! How much did the police cost prosecuting these people, only for the case to collapse! Is this one more incident of police incompetence?
The decision to prosecute is made by the CPS, not the police.
Yep , and seeing as in some circles CPS is seen as meaning criminal protection service , on account of often only wanting to prosecute cases they are almost certain to be successful in , they must have thought they had a strong case.
Yes Ewan, but it would have only gone ahead with evidence provided by the police, which clearly wasn’t good enough. I hope these men weren’t kept in custody before the trial, if so they should go for wrongful arrest compensation! There must be a firm of solicitors out there who would take the case on a no win no fee basis!