Court rejects more serious charges, but finds man guilty of common assault

Friday 18 March 2022

A 28-year-old man has been found not guilty on four counts of grave and criminal assault by the Royal Court, but guilty of one count of common assault.

Joshua Clark Lyons had denied all charges.

Earlier, on the morning of the fifth day of the trial, both prosecution and defence summarised their arguments.

Prosecuting, Crown Advocate Simon Thomas argued Mr Lyons did commit the alleged grave and criminal assaults. He said the voice recordings presented earlier in the trial reflected "his attitude to women" and how it "spoke for itself."

He told the jury: "You've heard the recording; it gives you a clear insight as to how the defendant treated the woman."

Defending Joshua Lyons, Advocate David Steenson told the court that the alleged victim was a very intelligent woman, "...who knows exactly what she's doing." He told the jury that "we know the woman exaggerates...she accepted that in cross examination."

After deliberating for a little under three hours, the jury returned not guilty verdicts on all four counts of grave and criminal assault - but they did find Lyons guilty of one count of the lesser offence of common assault. He will be sentenced at a later date.