An allegation is not a finding. You are entitled to a proper defence, and to absolute discretion.
These are among the most serious allegations a person can face, and the consequences begin long before any trial. We act from the investigation stage, in complete confidence.
We respond within 1 hour during business hours. All enquiries strictly confidential.
- Absolute discretion
- No obligation
- SRA regulated
- Rated 5.0 from 42 reviews
Speak to a specialist
Nothing you tell us goes any further. Ever.
Sexual offence allegations — what you need to know now
The consequences of a sexual offence allegation start immediately: bail conditions, device seizure, employer notification, and in many cases a devastating effect on family life — all before any court has heard a word of evidence. Getting specialist advice early is not optional in these cases.
- Investigations here are longDigital forensic examination of seized devices routinely takes many months. That period needs managing, not enduring, and the delay itself can be argued.
- What happens at interview shapes everythingThese cases very often turn on the account given at the first interview. It is not a conversation to have without a specialist beside you.
- Pre-charge representations matter enormouslyThe CPS applies the Full Code Test before charging. Where the evidence does not meet the realistic prospect threshold, that case can be made before any charge is brought.
- Consent cases are evidence casesDigital material, timelines, third-party accounts and the consistency of the complainant's account across every version are all central, and they need work early.
- Notification requirements follow convictionSex offender register requirements are automatic on conviction for many offences, and their duration depends on the sentence imposed. Removal is possible in limited circumstances.
Everything that matters happens before the trial
By the time a case reaches court, the account is fixed, the devices have been examined and the disclosure schedule is set. The work that decides the outcome happened months earlier.
That work is the interview account, the material preserved on your side, the expert scrutiny of digital evidence, and the representations put to the CPS before it decides whether to charge. Instructing a specialist at the point of charge means arriving after all of it.
From the moment you are aware of an investigation. Nothing you say goes further.
Prepared, with a considered position on what is said and what is not.
Digital forensics, timelines and disclosure — with independent experts where needed.
Written representations to the CPS on both limbs of the Full Code Test.
Discretion is part of the service, not an add-on
Every enquiry is handled in strict confidence and nothing leaves our office without your authority. That applies whether or not you go on to instruct us, and it applies from the first phone call.
We understand what is at stake beyond the case itself — employment, professional registration, family, reputation. Those consequences are part of what we advise on, not a side issue.
Digital evidence and expert scrutiny
A great many of these investigations now turn on digital material: devices, messages, cloud accounts and metadata. Examination by police forensic units is slow, and the conclusions drawn from it are not always as firm as the summary suggests.
We obtain independent expert examination where it is warranted, test attribution and timing, and challenge the inferences the prosecution seeks to draw. In this area particularly, an unchallenged forensic report is treated as fact when it should be treated as evidence.
Pre-charge representations
The CPS must be satisfied both that there is a realistic prospect of conviction and that prosecution is in the public interest. Both limbs are open to argument before a charging decision is taken.
Where the evidence does not meet the threshold, that is a case to be made in writing, to the decision-maker, before the decision. After charge, the same argument is a great deal harder to run.
If it goes to trial
Where a case is charged, we prepare it thoroughly and represent you through our own in-house advocates, including in the Crown Court. That means the people who know your case are the people who argue it, and it keeps your costs considerably lower than briefing out.
Everyone is entitled to a defence. What varies is whether they get one prepared early enough to matter.
Lostock Legal SolicitorsWhat we do on your case
- Attend police interviews with you, with a properly considered position prepared in advance
- Advise on bail conditions and apply to vary those that are disproportionate
- Obtain independent forensic examination of digital evidence where it is warranted
- Test the consistency of the complainant's account across every version given
- Scrutinise disclosure and pursue material the prosecution has not served
- Make written pre-charge representations to the CPS on both limbs of the Full Code Test
- Press for decisions where an investigation has been left to drift for months
- Represent you at trial through our own in-house Crown Court advocates
We respond within 1 hour during business hours. All enquiries strictly confidential.
The practical reasons this goes better with us
Beyond the specialism, two things change the economics of defending a case like this.
Our own in-house advocates
We represent you at every stage ourselves, including in the Crown Court, rather than briefing out to counsel. That keeps your costs down and means the person who knows your case is the person who argues it.
Privately funded, by design
We are not a legal aid practice carrying a heavy caseload to stay afloat. Your matter gets the time a specialist defence actually needs.
Specialist, not general practice
Criminal defence and regulatory work is what we do. Not one department among a dozen.
The allegations we defend
Each of these is investigated and defended differently. Tell us what you are facing and we will explain what happens next.
Rape and sexual assault
Frequently consent cases, decided on digital evidence, timelines and consistency.
Historic allegations
Where the passage of time itself raises real questions about evidence and fairness.
Indecent images
Turning almost entirely on digital forensics, attribution and knowledge.
Sexual risk orders
Applied for without any conviction, and restrictive. Opposed at the hearing.
Voyeurism and upskirting
Offences under the Voyeurism Act, often with a digital evidence core.
Register removal
Applications to be removed from notification requirements, where eligible.
The solicitor acting for you, personally
Alexander
Director · Solicitor · Higher Court Advocate
- Director of the firm
- Qualified Solicitor
- Higher Court Advocate
- Crown Court jury trial advocate
Alexander is a Director of the firm, a qualified Solicitor and Higher Court Advocate. For many years he was an advocate in the Crown Court, acting for clients in jury trials, and he has acted in some of the most serious cases there are.
That courtroom experience is what makes it possible to see where a prosecution case is weakest, and to argue it before positions harden. It is also why we can represent you at every stage ourselves rather than briefing out. He also understands what discretion means in practice. These matters are handled personally and quietly, and nothing about your case is discussed outside the firm.
He also understands the value of being approachable. He takes the time to explain each stage, so that the process itself stops being one more thing to worry about.
Talk to us today. In complete confidence.
Whether you have been arrested, had devices seized, or simply been made aware of an allegation — the earlier we are involved, the more can be done. Nothing you tell us goes any further.
- Strictly confidential — nothing leaves our office without your authority
- No obligation to instruct us
- You speak to a specialist solicitor, not a call handler
- We respond within 1 hour during business hours
Phone 0161 383 8855
Email admin@lostocklegal.com
Address Office 6, First Floor, St Thomas House, 18 St Thomas Road, Chorley PR7 1HR
Send us a message
Rated 5.0 from 42 reviews
★★★★★
Incredibly professional and very helpful in answering all my questions.
Umar N. · Google review
★★★★★
He went out of his way to ensure I was well informed and updated throughout, clearly explaining every step.
Rory M. · Google review
★★★★★
Super supportive throughout the whole process. I can't thank these guys enough.
George S. · Google review
Sexual offence allegations: your questions
I have not been charged. Should I get a solicitor now?
Yes, and in this area more than any other. These cases very often turn on the first interview and on representations made before a charging decision. Instructing a solicitor at the point of charge means arriving after the two stages that mattered most.
The police have taken my phone and laptop. What happens now?
They will be sent for forensic examination, which routinely takes many months. In the meantime you may be released under investigation or on bail with conditions. That period should be actively managed — we maintain contact with the officer in the case, press for progress, and prepare independent expert scrutiny of the material where it is warranted.
Will my employer or my family find out?
Not from us. Every enquiry is handled in strict confidence and nothing leaves our office without your authority. There are separate situations in which police may notify an employer or regulator, particularly in safeguarding roles, and we will advise you frankly on whether that applies to your circumstances.
How long can an investigation take?
Frequently many months, and sometimes considerably longer where digital forensics are involved. Delay is not neutral — it has consequences for you, and in some circumstances it becomes an argument in its own right. We press for decisions rather than waiting for them.
What is a Sexual Risk Order?
An order the police can apply for without any conviction, and without any charge, where they say it is necessary to protect the public. The restrictions can be significant and breaching one is a criminal offence. They can be opposed at the hearing and their terms narrowed, but that needs doing at the time.
Can I be removed from the sex offender register?
In limited circumstances, yes. Where notification requirements are indefinite, an application for review can be made after a qualifying period. Whether you are eligible depends on the offence, the sentence imposed and the time elapsed, and we can advise on your specific position.
Should I just use legal aid instead?
Representation at the police station is free of charge regardless. Beyond that, Crown Court legal aid is means tested with contributions that can exceed private fees, and above roughly £12,475 gross income you will not qualify in the magistrates' court at all. Because we use our own in-house advocates at every stage including the Crown Court, our fees are often lower than expected.
How quickly will you respond?
Within 1 hour during business hours. If you are at a police station now, or have an interview listed, call rather than emailing.
Speak to someone before you speak to anyone else
Strictly confidential, no obligation, and nothing leaves our office without your authority.
We respond within 1 hour during business hours. All enquiries strictly confidential.