A businessman from Standish Lower Ground has been acquitted of nine charges following a 12-day trial at Liverpool Crown Court this week.
Steven Breheny, owner of Wigan-based Breheny Security Ltd, was accused of demanding money with menaces from two men, making threats to kill, assault, criminal damage and conspiracy to steal vehicles. He has always strenuously denied all the charges.
The charges were brought after allegations that he had demanded Paul Scully hand over £20,000 to him with menaces between June 29 and July 3 2012, and also made a threat to kill Mr Scully on June 29.
He was also accused of demanding £10,000 and an Audi A3 car from David Williamson in May 2012. Mr Williamson admitted in Court during the trial that he was a cannabis farmer.
Mr Breheny was represented by Neal Boland, senior partner at Stephensons Solicitors LLP and Mark Rhind, a barrister at Exchange Chambers. Neal Boland said: “We are thankful to the Jury who have acquitted Mr Breheny of the charges against him following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
“Despite the fact that Mr Breheny has pledged his innocence of all charges, the allegations and subsequent legal proceedings can have a huge impact on a business’s reputation.
“We successfully discredited the two witnesses who had made the accusations. David Williamson has since been charged and sentenced for cultivating cannabis. Paul Scully was also arrested in November 2012 for cannabis production at his home address. Evidence presented to the jury revealed a large scale commercial operation but notwithstanding this evidence collected by the police he was given a mere caution. The prosecution sought to rely on their evidence but this was rejected by the Jury.”
Steven Breheny said: “I’m grateful to my family and friends, who supported me throughout the trial. It has been an extremely difficult 12 months, from the time of arrest through to a long Court case, with various accusations against my character along the way.
“I would also like to thank my legal team, Neal Boland and Mark Rhind for helping to clear my name.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
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Media information: Lianne Tracey, Stephensons Solicitors LLP, call 01616 966 229, email lct@stephensons.co.uk