Sexual Offence Solicitors

Defined as the penetration of another person’s vagina, anus, or mouth with a penis without their consent, rape is one of the most serious sexual offences under the law. Our team has extensive experience in navigating the complex legal nuances of rape cases and mounting robust defences to protect our clients’ rights.

Sexual assault refers to any non-consensual sexual contact or behaviour, ranging from unwanted sexual touching to more severe forms of sexual violence. Our solicitors are skilled in challenging allegations of sexual assault and advocating for our clients in these sensitive cases.

Familial sexual offences involve sexual abuse or exploitation within family relationships, such as incest or familial rape. Our solicitors approach these cases with sensitivity and compassion, while vigorously defending our clients’ rights during investigations or court proceedings.

This offence involves engaging in, or attempting to engage in, sexual activity with someone under the age of 16 or with an individual who lacks the capacity to consent due to a mental or physical condition. Even if the contact was consensual or initiated by the other person, the law considers it a serious criminal offence. These cases are highly sensitive and often complex, particularly where relationships exist or age is disputed.

This occurs when someone intentionally exposes their genitals in a public place with the intention of causing alarm or distress. While sometimes dismissed as minor, a conviction can lead to placement on the Sex Offenders Register and serious long-term consequences. These cases often depend on witness perception, intent, and context, and benefit from early legal intervention.

This offence includes possessing, making, downloading, or sharing sexual images of children, including through digital or online means. The law categorises images into different levels of severity, but any involvement can lead to serious penalties and registration as a sex offender. We regularly defend clients accused of unintentional possession, mistaken identity, or situations where the images were received without consent or knowledge.

Sexual misconduct allegations within a university setting can include unwanted sexual contact, inappropriate messages, harassment, or non-consensual behaviour between students or staff. These matters are often handled internally under non-academic misconduct procedures, separate from the criminal justice system. However, the consequences can still be severe, including suspension, expulsion, or damage to academic and professional futures. We advise and represent students throughout disciplinary investigations and hearings, and also provide support where police involvement arises alongside the university process.

Allegations of historical sexual offences, involving incidents that occurred many years ago, present unique legal challenges. Our team has the expertise to navigate the complexities of historical cases, including issues related to perseveration of evidence, witness reliability, and third-party material.

If you are asked to attend a police interview under caution, it means you are suspected of committing a criminal offence. This may follow an arrest or an invitation to attend voluntarily. Either way, the interview is a formal and recorded process where officers will ask you questions about the allegation.

You have a legal right to silence, and you do not have to answer police questions. However, choosing to remain silent can sometimes have consequences later in the process. It is vital to receive expert advice before the interview so that you fully understand your rights and the potential impact of your answers.

Before the interview begins, our solicitors will speak to the police on your behalf to obtain information about the allegation and the evidence. We will then advise you on how best to respond, whether that means answering questions, providing a written statement, or remaining silent. Every decision is made based on a clear legal strategy tailored to your case.

What you say in a police interview can strongly influence whether or not you are charged. It is essential to be legally represented throughout, and to avoid trying to explain things on your own. Many people think they can clear things up quickly, only to find their words are later used out of context. Our lawyers are available 24/7 to represent you in police interviews and ensure that your rights are fully protected.

If you are charged with a sexual offence, the police will either release you on bail or keep you in custody until your first court appearance. In most cases, you will be granted bail, but it is likely to come with strict conditions.

Common bail conditions include not contacting the complainant or prosecution witnesses, avoiding certain addresses or areas, and restrictions on travel. You may also be banned from using certain social media platforms or messaging apps. These conditions are legally binding, and breaching them is a criminal offence that could result in being remanded in custody.

In some situations, you may be released under investigation without immediate bail conditions. While this can feel less restrictive, the uncertainty can be difficult to manage, and the police may continue to gather evidence for many months.

Our solicitors can challenge unfair or excessive bail conditions and apply to have them varied if they interfere with your family life, employment or ability to prepare for trial. We also provide practical advice on how to comply with conditions to avoid further complications. If you are charged, we will support you from day one, prepare your case thoroughly, and represent you at each stage of the process. Being charged is not the same as being guilty. With the right legal team, you still have everything to fight for.

The right defence strategy can make all the difference. At Lupton Fawcett, we take a calm and calculated approach from the moment we are instructed, working to protect you long before a case reaches the courtroom. Our focus is on stopping investigations in their tracks where possible, and preparing a robust defence if they proceed.

If you have been contacted by the police or asked to attend a voluntary interview, we can step in immediately. What you say in those early conversations with police can shape the entire case. That is why early legal advice is critical.

We look carefully at the statements made by complainants and witnesses. Where accounts are inconsistent, or can be proven inaccurate, we challenge them. We can obtain mobile phone records, social media data, digital evidence and CCTV to test the truth of what has been said. We also explore any available medical evidence and, where appropriate, instruct independent experts to review the findings.

Many allegations turn on the issue of consent. In those cases, we work closely with you to piece together all available evidence that can demonstrate your understanding of the situation, including previous communications and the context of the encounter. Where an allegation is false, we are not afraid to say so and will present that case forcefully.

We also engage in pre-charge representations to the police or Crown Prosecution Service. This means we can present evidence and legal arguments before a decision is made to charge. In many cases, this leads to no further action and prevents your name from ever reaching a courtroom.

If your case proceeds to trial, we work with experienced barristers and forensic experts to build the strongest possible defence. Every case is prepared thoroughly and argued with precision. Our goal is to ensure that the court sees the full picture, not just the allegation. You will be kept fully informed throughout, with clear advice at every stage. We understand the personal cost of going through this process and we are here to support you throughout it.

Being convicted of a sexual offence has serious and lasting consequences. The penalties imposed by the court can include lengthy imprisonment, placement on the Sex Offenders Register, and in some cases, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. These restrictions can apply for many years after a sentence ends and will affect where you can live, work and travel.

A conviction will appear on your criminal record and may be disclosed during employment checks, even long after the case is closed. It may affect your ability to work in certain industries, particularly those involving children, vulnerable people, or positions of trust. You may also lose professional accreditations or security clearance.

Relationships, employment, housing and community standing can all be impacted, even during the investigation stage. For those in regulated professions, including teaching, healthcare, law and finance, further disciplinary action is common.

If you are convicted, you will be subject to mandatory notification requirements, often referred to as “signing on” to the Sex Offenders Register. This will include providing the police with your personal details and reporting changes of address, travel abroad, or contact with children. Breaching these conditions is a separate criminal offence. Given these risks, it is vital to secure expert legal advice as early as possible. A strong defence not only protects your legal position but can also prevent the wider personal consequences that often follow from allegations of this kind.