Our criminal team represented an ex-army officer who had served 23 years in the armed forced. He was before Oldham Magistrates Court for a serious charge of having a machete in public place. Sentencing guidelines for knife offences recommended an immediate prison sentence.
However our criminal team successfully argued for a conditional discharge meaning he walked free from court.
He had recently been diagnosed with PTSD and his actions were considered a lapse in judgement on his behalf. In mitigation, he had recently secured full time employment and had the support of veterans' charities.
