Armed robbery charge dropped against client

In early 2020, our client was charged as the 'getaway' driver in an armed robbery. The police alleged that our client drove the main offender up to the door of a stationary truck. The main offender then got out of our client's car and held a knife to the truck driver and threatened him to get out of the truck.

It is alleged the co-accused drove the truck away and our client followed in her car. Our client was charged and remanded in custody. After a few months in custody, our client dismissed her previous legal representatives and engaged our office. Shortly thereafter, we obtained a copy of the brief of evidence.

After a thorough review of the brief of evidence, Alan Phillips saw a gap in the identification evidence of our client. The car and truck were discovered outside the house where our client was living. The witnesses identified the driver of the car to be of very similar to the description of our client. There were however two photo bard interviews done by the witnesses to identify the offenders. It was evident in the interviews that the witnesses failed to identify our client with sufficient certainty.

Alan Phillips of our office provided a written submission to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions ('DPP') that they did not have sufficient evidence to convict our client. After agitating the position and listing the matter for a no-case-to-answer submission, the DPP agreed to drop the charge. Our client was released from custody immediately after serving a number of months in custody.

Armed robbery is a very serious offence and carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. If you want expert assistance, contact Phillips Lawyers today on 07 3180 0158 or 0403 846 238.