Ben Williams KC and Lisa Hancox prosecute canal killing case

The body of the deceased, Darren Round, had been spotted in the canal in Kings Norton on 15th February 2020. The police investigation to track down the killer lasted 5 1/2 years. The resulting prosecution case involved CCTV imagery analysis; DNA; footwear comparison to injury marks; and specialist pathology evidence.

The defendant had disputed ID when interviewed over the years, but ultimately admitted having an altercation with Round, instead putting forward self-defence and disputing causation of death. In the absence of any eye witnesses to, or footage covering the incident, the Crown relied on audio from CCTV and the details of the forensic pathology findings to advance its case.

After a 3-week trial the defendant was convicted of manslaughter.

Ben Williams KC and Lisa Hancox were instructed by Tamina Greaves from the Crown Prosecution Service.

Press Coverage:

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/man-found-guilty-over-body-34143924