Sarah Magill and Rachel White co-defend and achieve acquittals on the second day of trial for arson with intent to endanger life

Two defendants stood trial at Preston Crown Court for arson with intent to endanger life after a terraced house was set alight in Preston in September 2023 with a person inside it. The case turned on CCTV and the identification of an eyewitness, the tenant of the house, who returned after the house had been set ablaze and two people were running from the scene.

Meticulous cross examination was advanced by both barristers in respect of the identification made of their respective defendants. Following this, the crown offered no evidence against Sarah Magill’s lay-client and the jury were directed to enter not guilty verdicts, releasing him from the trial. Rachel White then made a successful submission of ‘no case to answer’ at half-time on behalf of her defendant and the jury were directed to enter not-guilty verdicts, releasing her lay-client from the trial.

Both clients were acquitted on the second day of the trial.

Sarah Magill was instructed by Forbes Solicitors and Rachel White was instructed by Angela Taylor Solicitors.