Jane Oldfield secures conviction in Domestic Violence case

April 3, 2024

Jane Oldfield has secured the conviction of Darren Merchant following a 6-day trial before HHJ Talbot-Hadley at Ipswich Crown Court.

The defendant was charged with one count of rape and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, having already pleaded guilty to one count of criminal damage.

In the course of a relationship with the complainant, he threw her mobile phone at her after accusing her of cheating on him. He then raped her when she tried to get him to leave her house.

The two reconciled, but later the defendant assaulted her by strangling her following an argument about their relationship.

Mr Merchant will be sentenced on 18th April 2024.

Jane is regularly instructed in cases of serious Sexual Offences, involving both adults and children. Her wide experience encompasses offences of rape, sexual assaults, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, brothel-keeping, grooming and indecent images, amongst others.