Before reading the rest of my comments, if you think you need a good solicitor to help you though a difficult allegation, look no further PCD Solicitors Ltd should be your first stop. From our experience this should be from the first Police interview if possible.
Around four years we had a surprise visit from the police, armed with a search warrant they proceeded to remove computer, phone and broken IPAD belonging to my son. This resulted in interview under caution and visit to magistrates. Thankfully before the magistrates appearance we contacted Marcus and PCD, from that point onwards we felt that someone had our corner and we had some control. Allegations were made via a very poor SFR1 supplied by the police, on reading this it was apparent that they didn't really have evidence. Five counts were brought, to which my son rightly pleaded not guilty, because he had no knowledge. This resulted in a visit to Crown Court. Marcus Steered us though this and laid the ground work for the next steps at Crown court. At Magistrates the CPS prosecutor and the Magistrate both admitted not having read the indictment, but would have been happy to pass down judgement on the very poor Police report. I find that incredible!.
In the run up to first Crown Court appearance CPS dropped charges 1 - 4, (lack of evidence), but maintained charge five. First visit to Crown Court again stating not guilty to which a full court hearing was scheduled. The Judge seemed surprised that the case was a) in his court, a b) very clear that when it went to trial specialist witness statements had better be in agreement, he didn't seem happy but he had at least read the case and knew the detail.
So court date set, and enter the Barrister who took all the detail and issued the defence statement. This was a tense time, but finally we got confirmation via Jessica that CPS were going to offer no evidence, we had to go to Crown Court one last time, armed with our Barrister, my son had once again to stand in the dock, but this time after the CPS stated that the "evidence" no longer passed the required checks were offering no evidence. The Judge was brilliant in that he took the time to explain to my son that he was entering not guilty on all counts, and that this is the same as a jury finding the same, as well as making it clear that my son would leave the court with his good name intact and be in the same position as he was prior to this starting and there is no mark against him.
It is now over and my son and the family can get on with our lives, this is because we went to PCD and because we had Marcus, Jessica, Clair and Simon - the Barrister, on our side advising and helping us through.
We have been unable to obtain any costs, but I am happy to have paid for the service we received, the PCD team have been brilliant. The only thing I wish I had done differently is search for them before the interview under caution. But then I never expected the police to be so desperate to try and get a conviction. I now view the UK legal system with different eyes, although ultimately common sense prevailed, there was a real possibility of a different result based on at best sketchy evidence which ultimately amounted to nothing.
I am out of pocket, but my son is free to get on with his life.