Paul Walker

• R v A [Southampton Crown Court] 2024

  Large Scale Dealing of Drugs & Firearms Possession

  The 9-week trial concerned large scale drug dealing and the possession of numerous firearms. Paul and Liam`s client was said to be a “Leading Role” Class A drug dealer. Mr A accepted he was involved in the drugs trade, but categorically denied possession of the guns which were allegedly found at his “safe-house”. Leading counsel for the crown described the prosecution case against Mr A as “comprehensive and compelling”. After considering Paul`s closing speech the jury disagreed. Mr A was acquitted on all the counts the jury had to determine.

  Junior – Liam Sneddon

• N v O [Salisbury Crown Court] 2024

  Aggravated Burglary

  Mr O was accused of aggravated burglary. A number of armed men had stolen items from the complainant`s bedroom in the early hours of the morning. Mr O was apprehended nearby. He was 65 miles away from home, wearing a balaclava, gloves and a stab-proof vest. The victim`s wallet was found at Mr O`s feet. His case was that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.

• R v G [Leeds Crown Court] 2023

  Conspiracy to Produce Cannabis

  In this case Paul`s client was said to be the 2nd in command of a large-scale conspiracy to produce cannabis. There were a number of cannabis farms throughout Yorkshire. Mr G was filmed using an anti-surveillance device to check for trackers. He was recorded allegedly discussing the grows with fellow conspirators and it was said that cell site evidence placed him at the location of the cannabis farms. The trial lasted for 7 weeks and involved challenging issues of law, a complex factual matrix and unusual ethical problems. Following Paul`s speech (which was praised by both leading and junior prosecution counsel and the Judge) Mr G was unanimously acquitted.

• R v K [Southwark CC] 2023

  Conspiracy to Steal

  Mr K was accused of conspiring to steal £1m in a cash-in-transit “staged” robbery. The Crown`s case was that it was an inside job. The investigation, undertaken by the Flying Squad was meticulous. The evidence, according to Crown counsel, was “overwhelming”. Mr K did not give evidence. Paul`s speech was described by a co-defending barrister as being “simply brilliant”. Mr K was unanimously acquitted.

• R v Bricka [Portsmouth Crown Court] 2023

  Multiple Counts Stalking & Perverting the Course of Justice

  Olivia Haggar, led by Paul Walker, represented a client charged with ten counts of Stalking and one count of Perverting the Course of Justice. The case concerned a prolonged campaign of stalking, described by Sussex Police as one of the most complex stalking cases they had ever investigated. Instructed by Andrew Bishop, Bishop & Light.

• R v H [Southampton CC] 2022

  Supply of Multi Kilo Quantities of Class A Drugs

  Mr H was heavily involved in the supply of multi kilo quantities of class A drugs. The evidence in the case was from his “enchrochat” telephone. On the day of trial Paul persuaded the Crown to accept a carefully crafted basis of plea. Mr H had previous convictions for drug dealing and had involved his vulnerable partner in the enterprise. Despite these aggravating features and the late plea, Paul was able to persuade the Judge to impose a sentence of only 7 years imprisonment.

• R v Golding [Lewes CC] 2021

  GBH

  Mr G faced allegations of GBH. The complainant was a charity worker, said to have been viciously assaulted in his shop. The Crown relied on a number of independent civilian witnesses. Following cross-examination by Paul the witnesses accepted that their perception of events may have been mistaken. Mr G was unanimously acquitted.

• R v Singh [Winchester CC] 2021

  Manslaughter

  Mr S was accused of manslaughter. He was alleged to have employed an illegal immigrant to work in dangerous conditions. The worker was killed when a wall collapsed. The case gave rise to complex issues of law. Although Mr S was eventually convicted, by a majority verdict, the High Court Judge praised Paul for his handling of an emotive and difficult case.

  Junior counsel – Olivia Haggar    

• R v B [Portsmouth CC] 2021

  GBH of a Child

  Mr B, a man in his 40s, was alleged to have caused GBH to a 14 year old child. The defence was that, despite Mr B`s previous convictions for violence, on this occasion he was acting in self-defence.  Mr B was found Not Guilty.

• R v S [Southampton CC] 2020

  Rape

  Mr S was accused of rape. The complainant had recorded Mr S apparently confessing to the offence. Paul was able to persuade the jury that Mr S may have been misunderstood. The jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict.

• R v Ma [C.C.C.] 2019

  Manslaughter

  Paul Walker represented the defendant who was alleged to have taken part in a murder in a North London park. Following Paul`s detailed analysis of hours of CCTV and a number of site visits, the defence were able to present a wholly different perspective of the incident to the jury. The jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict on the manslaughter count.

• R v N & anr [Central Criminal Court] 2019

  Landmark F.G.M Trial

  Natasha Wong QC led Paul Walker in the landmark Old Bailey trial involving the defence of a mother and partner under the Female Genital Mutilation Act. The case involved Complex expert medical evidence, child witnesses and extensive evidence of the defendant’s involvement and belief in witchcraft. The case attracted considerable media attention.

  Sky News - BBC News - CNN

• R v P [Snaresbrook] 2018

  Stabbing

  Paul Walker represented the defendant, a 15 year old boy. He was said to have been part of the stabbing of a youth in an East London park. The complainant`s life was saved by paramedics at the scene. The case was particularly challenging as there were a large number of child witnesses. Although convicted, Paul was able to persuade the Judge to impose an extremely lenient sentence.

• R v S [Isleworth] 2018

  Supply of Class A Drugs

  This trial involved the supply of class A drugs within an immigration centre. High value drugs were discovered, allegedly upon the defendant's person. Following Paul`s extensive cross-examination of the search team of officers and his scrutiny of the body worn footage the defendant was acquitted on all the counts on the indictment.

• R v T (Blackfriars Crown Court) 2018

  Conspiracy to Supply Firearms

  The defendant was said to be a lead organizer in a conspiracy to supply Uzi machine guns within London gangs. He was arrested with a bagged revolver around his neck. Despite this evidence and “bad character” evidence that he had previously shot a man in a crowded High Street, the jury were in retirement for 4 days following Paul's speech. The defendant received a Life sentence following his conviction.  

• R v K (Lewes Crown Court) 2018

  Attempted Rape

  Paul Walker representing the defendant who was accused of attempted rape of a female friend, who he had allegedly seduced using left-over KFC food from his work. The telephone downloads, disclosed as a result of defence applications, helped persuade the jury to reach a unanimous not guilty verdict.

• R v F (Central Criminal Court) 2018

  Violent Disorder and Possession of Firearms

  Multi-handed violent disorder and possession of firearms with intent to endanger life. This case included incredible CCTV footage of armed men fighting in a small corner shop in North London. Shots were fired and the shop was virtually destroyed. By meticulous analysis of the camera evidence Paul secured the defendants acquittal.  

• R v B (Guildford Crown Court) 2017

  Sexual Assault

  The defendant faced numerous allegations of sexual assault. The 42 civilian witnesses, who gave evidence against him, accused him of a campaign of abuse in the 1970s and 80s. At the time he was the parish priest. Paul had to overcome the fact that Mr Bennett had pleaded guilty to (and been sentenced to a term of imprisonment for) almost identical offences. Despite the “bad character” evidence and the sheer weight of prosecution evidence, Paul secured Mr Bennett`s acquittal on each of the 25 counts on the indictment. The defence speech was commended by the Recorder of Guildford.

• R v C (Sheffield Crown Court) 2017

  Blackmail

  Paul Walker represented the defendant, allegedly a violent gangster and member of the Turkish mafia. Part way through the blackmail trial, following a defence submission, the Judge directed the jury to acquit.

• R v S (Southampton Crown Court) 2017

  Armed Robbery

  This trial concerned the armed robbery of a brothel. The defence presented by Paul Walker was that the defendant was merely an innocent customer. The defendant was found Not Guilty.

• R v. I [Huntingdon] 2017

  Conspiracy to obtain criminal property

  Paul Walker led Jonathan Reuben in this complex conspiracy to obtain criminal property. A £300,000 fraud with similarities to the film ‘Catch me if you can’. 

• R v. Gutteridge [Portsmouth] 2016

  Possession of Class A drugs

  Paul Walker acted for this defendant, cleared of possession with intent to supply cocaine. Mr Gutteridge was found in possession of £5,000 worth of 87% pure cocaine. On his mobile telephone were messages relating to drugs supply. The Crown`s drug`s expert, Michael Ellis, was convinced that Mr Gutteridge was involved in the supply of drugs and told the jury so. Paul suggested a number of alternative theories to the expert in his cross-examination.  The defence was that he was about to throw away the drugs and the messages related to his management of an escort agency. Mr Ellis rubbished any suggestion that his conclusions were wrong. Mr Gutteridge was unanimously acquitted.

• R v. B [Guildford YC] 2016

  Rape of 6 year old boy

  Paul Walker defended in this rape of a 6 year old boy. The defendant was a 15 year old boy. The case was particularly challenging as the defendant suffered from extreme learning difficulties. Paul successfully argued that he should benefit from an intermediary. Although convicted, Paul was able to persuade the District Judge to impose a non-custodial sentence.

• R v. Walker [Lewes] 2016

  Violent Disorder

  Paul Walker defended in this Violent Disorder. Mr Walker was said to have been at the heart of an “orgy of violence” that followed a March for England in Brighton. The CCTV showed Mr Walker hitting people with an umbrella and charging across The Lanes at a rival group. Once the CCTV had been scrutinised by Paul and re-presented to the jury from the defence perspective Mr Walker was acquitted.

• R v. Searle [Lewes] 2015

  Gangland Double Murder

  Paul Walker was led by Peter Rouch QC in this Gangland double murder case, the notorious Hastings murders dating back to 2001. Trial involved the consideration of thousands of pages of evidence collated over a period of 14 years.

• R v. Traynor [Taunton] 2015

  Sexual Assault

  Paul Walker successfully represented this man charged with rape. The defendant accepted entering the bedroom of a woman and touching her leg as she slept. The complainant had alleged that Mr Traynor had demanded to have sex. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty less than 30 minutes after retiring.

• R v. Ymeraj & ors [Portsmouth] 2015

  Paul Walker acted as eading junior for the “Albanian connection” in a 14 handed conspiracy to supply cocaine trial. The case concerned a “multi million pound” drugs operation and lasted for 8 weeks. Instructed by Edward Hayes LLP, junior Hannah Smith.

• R v. Spruhan [Chichester] 2015

  Arson with Intent to Endanger Life

  Paul Walker successfully represented this defendant charged with Arson with intent to endanger life. Mr Spruhan had poured petrol over his sister-in-law in a busy Waitrose store. He had then lit the petrol, which burned until a brave shopper somehow put out the fire. Following a trial and detailed analysis of the CCTV, Mr Spruhan (who did not give evidence) was found not guilty of arson with intent to endanger life.

• R v. Carella [Hove] 2015

  Child Prostitution

  Paul Walker represented this defendant who was cleared after a Multi-handed child prostitution trial. Mr Carella was D2, his case necessitated a cut-throat defence with D1, who was represented by a QC.Mr Carella was found Not Guilty, whilst all the other main defendants, including D1 were convicted.

• R v. Miller [Portsmouth] 2014

  Attempted Murder

  Paul Walker defended Mr Miller a 76 year old retired businessman who had plunged a kitchen knife into his wife`s back. He had said “you will die now”. When the police arrived Mr Miller had told them that he had tried to kill his wife. Mr Miller was acquitted of attempted murder.

Notable Cases

• R v. Noon [Portsmouth] 2011

  International Paedophile Ring

  Paul Walker led Rishi Nathwani for the main defendant in this 6 week international paedophile ring trial. Their client was the mother of the abused children and the case attracted worldwide publicity. The Crown`s suggested starting point upon sentence was 13 years imprisonment. The Recorder of Portsmouth`s sentence, following mitigation, was 4 years imprisonment.

  Following an Attorney General's reference, the Court of Appeal in March 2012 increased the Sentence of this defendant to 8 years.