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'Mr Loophole' assistant cleared 'Mr Loophole' considers action
(about 1 hour later)
The right-hand man of celebrity lawyer 'Mr Loophole' has been acquitted of telling a millionaire heiress's family to lie in court over a speeding ticket. Celebrity lawyer "Mr Loophole" says he may take action against Gwent Police after his assistant was cleared of telling a client to lie under oath.
A jury cleared Trevor Howarth, 46, of Chorley, Lancashire who worked for Nick Freeman of committing acts intended to pervert the course of justice. A jury cleared Trevor Howarth of Chorley, Lancashire who worked for Nick Freeman, of committing acts intended to pervert the course of justice.
The case arose after Janet Lefton's son Jeremy, 19, was issued with a speeding ticket in June 2005 in south Wales.The case arose after Janet Lefton's son Jeremy, 19, was issued with a speeding ticket in June 2005 in south Wales.
Bristol Crown Court heard she contacted Nick Freeman's firm for advice. Gwent Police said it could not comment until a formal complaint was made.
Mr Howarth was accused of advising Mrs Lefton, daughter of the owners of the insurance giant Swinton, and her husband Harold, who were acting on behalf of their son, to ignore speeding tickets sent to their home on Belle Isle, on Lake Windermere, in Cumbria. Mr Howarth was accused at Bristol Crown Court of advising Mrs Lefton, daughter of the owners of the insurance giant Swinton, and her husband Harold, who were acting on behalf of their son, to ignore speeding tickets sent to their home on Belle Isle, on Lake Windermere, in Cumbria.
He was also accused of advising Jeremy Lefton to lie to Abergavenny magistrates court in April 2006.He was also accused of advising Jeremy Lefton to lie to Abergavenny magistrates court in April 2006.
They have all lied for different, yet connected reason Robert Smith QC, defendingThey have all lied for different, yet connected reason Robert Smith QC, defending
But an investigation led to Harold, Janet and Jeremy's return to court in Newport, where they were found guilty of perverting the course of justice and handed a prison sentence.But an investigation led to Harold, Janet and Jeremy's return to court in Newport, where they were found guilty of perverting the course of justice and handed a prison sentence.
Mr Howarth's barrister Robert Smith QC previously told the jury Mr Howarth faced this charge because the Leftons and Gwent Police had an "agenda" against his client.Mr Howarth's barrister Robert Smith QC previously told the jury Mr Howarth faced this charge because the Leftons and Gwent Police had an "agenda" against his client.
Mr Smith told the court: "Five people have lied in this case and Trevor Howarth is not one of them."Mr Smith told the court: "Five people have lied in this case and Trevor Howarth is not one of them."
Mr Smith said those who had lied were the three Leftons, and two officers from Gwent Police. He said those who had lied were the three Leftons, and two officers from Gwent Police.
Mr Smith said: "They have all lied for different, yet connected reasons. The Leftons, we say, don't know what it means to tell the truth.Mr Smith said: "They have all lied for different, yet connected reasons. The Leftons, we say, don't know what it means to tell the truth.
"You may think their children are over-indulged and controlled by the personalities of their parents."You may think their children are over-indulged and controlled by the personalities of their parents.
'Maximum damage'
"They knew that Freeman and Co had built up a successful reputation for technical defences in road traffic cases, and that Nick Freeman is popularly known as Mr Loophole."They knew that Freeman and Co had built up a successful reputation for technical defences in road traffic cases, and that Nick Freeman is popularly known as Mr Loophole.
"Gwent Police had one object - to inflict the maximum damage and humiliation on Mr Freeman, his firm and Mr Howarth.""Gwent Police had one object - to inflict the maximum damage and humiliation on Mr Freeman, his firm and Mr Howarth."
After the hearing, Mr Freeman and Mr Howarth both announced their intentions to consider legal action against Gwent Police.
Mr Howarth said he would also consider taking action against the Leftons.
He said: "I'm delighted the jury have considered the evidence and reached the decision that clearly the evidence demonstrated."
Mr Howarth's solicitor, Edward Judge, said he hoped an investigation would be launched to find out why the case resulted in a "costly trial".
A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said: "Until a formal complaint is made, we will not be able to comment."