R v B – Conviction for Murder overturned

In 2012 B was convicted with her daughter of murdering her husband, Don Banfield. He was missing for nearly a decade before the case was treated as suspicious. When it was discovered that B had fraudulently claimed his private pension within days of his disappearance, a massive murder inquiry ensued which featured prominently on Crime Watch. His body was never discovered. The subsequent prosecution at the Old Bailey was widely reported throughout the press including the BBC, Times, Guardian, Telegraph and Mail. Our client was given the nickname ‘The Lady Killer’. She always protested her innocence.

Maguires mounted an appeal against the conviction which was initially refused. It was based on an argument that we had first advanced in 2011 when an application was made to dismiss the allegations in the Crown Court. This same argument was rejected twice more by senior members of the judiciary before Bill Clegg QC, instructed by Maguires, persuaded Lord Justice Leveson that it had some merit earlier this year. The appeal was finally heard in July of 2013, 12 years after the disappearance was first investigated.  Read the extra-ordinary Judgement quashing the convictions for murder at  http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Crim/2013/1394.html. This case, of which we are understandably proud,  exemplifies our tenacious approach to litigation, our belief in our clients and preserves Maguires 100% acquittal record on defending allegations of Murder.