Natas acted for man in threatening language case

Who? Simon Natas, 40, solicitor advocate and criminal defence solicitor at London firm Irvine Thanvi Natas.

Why is he in the news? Successfully appealed the conviction of Denzel Harvey, 20, who had been found guilty of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour while being searched for illegal drugs by police officers.

According to the High Court judgment, Harvey told the officers: ‘Fuck this man, I ain’t been smoking nothing… Told you, you won’t find fuck all.’ When asked whether he had a middle name, he retorted: ‘No, I’ve already fucking told you so.’

The police arrested Harvey for assault and, under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986, for using language likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. The magistrates struck out the assault charge, but found Harvey guilty under section 5.

Mr Justice Bean in the High Court reversed the magistrates’ decision, ruling that it was no crime if people simply heard foul language.

Thoughts on the case: ‘The High Court has simply upheld the law as it stands. It is not, and never has been, an offence to swear in the presence of a police officer.’

Dealing with the media: ‘Some papers wrote that the judgment meant it was now officially OK to swear at police officers. That is wrong. There has been no change to the law. The issue revolved around whether the officers or anyone else felt harassed, alarmed or distressed by the language used. Nobody did and so the charge was thrown out.’

Why become a lawyer? ‘I became interested in miscarriages of justice as a teenager, with the cases of the Guildford Four and Birmingham Six.’

Career high: ‘This case, as a solicitor advocate winning in the High Court.’ (The appeal was heard on a point of law.)

Career low: ‘Doing civil litigation work without proper training or supervision. I was too young to realise that it wasn’t my fault. It is the only time I’ve seriously considered giving up the law.’