Huge congratulations to Head of Criminal Litigation, Jas Thiara, who has successfully represented the defendant – Robert Walker-McDaid, who was being prosecuted in a long running case for ‘swatting.’
What is swatting?
‘Swatting’ is a term that refers to making a hoax call of a serious crime to emergency services to incite panic and instigate the deployment of an armed response unit (SWAT team) to neutralise a perceived threat.
Willing participant
In 2015, Walker-McDaid from Coventry met Zachary Lee of Catonsville Maryland online whilst playing video games. Lee told Walker-McDaid that he needed ‘someone swatted.’ That someone was Lee’s house mate Tyran Dobbs. Lee then gave Walker-McDaid the address.
Hoaxer Walker-McDaid proceeded to call a Maryland terrorism hotline posing as Mr Dobbs, explaining he was armed and was holding three people captive and would start executing them ‘within 15 minutes’ unless he received $15,000 (£12,000). He also claimed that he had several bombs readied.
The SWAT team responded and stormed Mr Dobbs’ address, believing the threat to be real. They shot Mr Dobbs in the face and chest with plastic bullets. Mr Dobbs needed reconstructive facial surgery afterwards having sustained several serious injuries.
Suspended sentence
The UK does not recognise ‘swatting’ as a standalone offence but, since the US does, the case was worked on by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) resulting in Walker-McDaid being charged and sentenced in Britain.
However, originally the US wanted Walker-McDaid extradited to face the ‘swatting’ charges there which Jas also successfully defended.
Heard in Warwick Crown Court, Walker-McDaid was sentenced to 20 months behind bars. This was however suspended for 18 months after he pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. The client was happy with the result and thanked his legal team for their help and support.
Repentant
Jas Thiara said. “Swatting is a serious crime which can have distressing consequences. Our client stressed from the outset that he did not ever intend to cause harm, but his actions did lead to an innocent man being left with life-changing injuries. He was repentant and apologetic and very relieved that he would not go to prison for one, profoundly serious, error of judgement.”
Support and advice
If you find that you or someone you know has been charged with any type of crime or motoring offence and needs specialist legal advice then please contact Jas Thiara, Head of Criminal Litigation & Motoring Offences at Alsters Kelley Solicitors Ltd on 02477 710200 or email jas.thiara@alsterskelley.com.
Please call 02477 710 241 to speak to a member of the team and to make an appointment with one of our criminal lawyers at any of our six offices.
Jas Thiara
Jas joined Alsters Kelley in 2006 and was appointed Associate Solicitor with the firm in June 2007 and is also Head of the Criminal Litigation & Motoring Offences Department.
02477 710200
jas.thiara@alsterskelley.com