Cases

• Operation Dowl [C.C.C.] 2018

  Suicide Terror Plot to Kill the Prime Minister

  Mark Heywood QC represented the Crown in this case involving the plot by two individuals to kill the Prime Minister. The plan was to detonate a bomb at the gates of Downing Street and then kill Theresa May with a knife or gun. 

  BBC report here.

• Operation Silk [Oxford] 2018

  One of the UK's largest ever 'Grooming' Prosecutions

  Orla Daly, led by Lousie Sweet QC, was instructed for the third defendant of eleven in one of the largest grooming cases ever prosecuted in the UK, lasting over six months. These historic allegations arose from the early 2000's. Instructed by Gary Bloxsome of Blackfords LLP.

• Operation Lunar [Birmingham] 2017

  £Multi-Million HMRC Tax Avoidance Prosecution

  Sarah Forshaw QC and Robert Ellison acted in the defence of this defendant charged with 10 others of a multi-million pound  conspiracy to cheat HMRC. The fraud centred around multiple tax avoidance schemes. The charges were dismissed against our client following legal argument. The trial on the remaining defendants is listed for 6 months in 2019. Instructed by King and Spalding LLP.

• R v. Armstrong [Southwark] 2017

  Alleged Rape in the Palace of Westminster

  Sarah Forshaw QC represented Samuel Armstrong, Chief of Staff to conservative MP Craig Mackinley, whom was accused of raping and sexually assaulting a young woman following a drinking session after work in the bar at the Houses of Parliament. The case attracted considerable media attention. Mr Armstrong was cleared by a jury after an 9 day trial. Instructed by Taylor Haldane Barlex.

  BBC report here.

• Operation Canon [Southwark] 2016

  £80m Ponzi Scheme

  Sarah Forshaw QC, instructed by the SFO, successfully prosecuted this £80m "Ponzi" scheme. The defendants purported to be a successful supplier of electrical goods such as light bulbs, air conditioning units, trouser presses and televisions to major hotel chains such as the Marriott and Hilton. They also falsely claimed to be the preferred supplier of the Olympic village, ahead of the 2012 Games.

  https://www.sfo.gov.uk/2016/05/24/ponzi-fraudsters-sentenced-total-21-years/

• R v. Max Clifford [Southwark] 2016

  Defence of celebrity publicist for historic sexual assault

  Sarah Forshaw QC leading Orla Daly were successful in their defence of the renowned celebrity publicist who was cleared of a further charge of historic sexual assault. 

  BBC news report here.

• Operation Cent [C.C.C.] 2013

  Anti-corruption unit worldwide investigation re: bomb detection units

  Jonathan Higgs QC leading Jonathan Polnay represented a defendant in the much publicised Old Bailey trial involving the worldwide sale of "fake" bomb detection devices. Instructed by Gary Bloxsome of Blackfords LLP.

  BBC news report here.

• HMRC v Peter Storrie [Southwark] 2011

  Former chief executive of Portsmouth City Football Club accused of cheating the public revenue

  Natasha Wong QC was junior trial counsel for acquitted former chief executive of Portsmouth City Football Club accused of cheating the public revenue. Instructed by Paul Martin & Co.

• “Baby P” Murder Trial [C.C.C.] 2009

  Notorious case involving the death of 17 month old Baby 'P'

  Sue Rodham led by Tim Roberts QC acted in the Defence of the "lodger" in the notorious case involving the death of a 17 month old baby when the local authority and other agencies were heavily critisised with regard to the lack of protection of the child. The defendant was acquiteed on the murder allegation and was convicted only of allowing the death of the child at the hands of others. Successful appeal against sentence. Complicated and detailed case involving the consideration of an enormous amount of disclosed multi-agency material.

• R v. B & ors [Harrow] 2013

  Bogus college immigration fraud

  Jonathan Higgs QC led Jonathan Polnay and Senghin Kong prosecuting three defendants involved in running a bogus college for conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. The defendants were convicted after a 3 month trial. The case involved complex legal argument in relation to Griffiths-type conspiracies and substantial disputed evidence from forensic accountants. Senghin Kong was instructed to prosecute the resulting 3 day confiscation hearing without a leader, against three QCs and juniors. Instructed by CPS Central Fraud Group.

View All Cases

• R v. F & ors [Canterbury] 2013

  Conspiracy to assist Unlawful Immigration

  Mark Dacey led Senghin Kong defending an accounts manager at a security company. The defendant was charged with two counts of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. The allegation was that the company was receiving refugee passports unlawfully issued by a corrupt Home Office official. The defendant was acquitted of one of the counts at the close of the prosecution case following a successful submission of no case to answer, and acquitted of the other by the jury after a 3 month trial. Instructed by Thomas Boyd Whyte Solicitors.

• R v. A & ors 2014

  Mortgage Fraud and Cheating the Revenue

  Senghin Kong advised a company in relation to possible liability for bribery / corruption offences arising out of conduct which was the subject of civil proceedings. Instructed by Bark & Co Solicitors.

• Re: B Ltd 2015

  Bribery and Corrpution arising out of Civil Proceedings

  Senghin Kong advised a company in relation to possible liability for bribery / corruption offences arising out of conduct which was the subject of civil proceedings. Instructed by Bark & Co Solicitors.

• R v. E & ors [Croydon] 2016

  Knife fight in Croydon

  Senghin Kong prosecuted 6 defendants charged with having offensive weapons including knives and a taser, who had a very public fight in the middle of a road near West Croydon Station. The trial involved cross-examination of a facial mapping expert called by one of the defendants who was later convicted. Instructed by CPS London.

• R v. O [Croydon] 2016

  NCA Drugs Operation

  Senghin Kong instructed to prosecute the last defendant charged in a substantial NCA drugs operation. The case involved complex cell site and telephone evidence. Instructed by CPS Organised Crime Division.

• R v. A & anr [Inner London] 2016

  Aggravated Burglary and Sexual Assault

  Senghin Kong represented a defendant charged with the aggravated burglary of a house occupied by an elderly husband and wife, during which the wife was sexually assaulted at knifepoint. The case involved cross-examination of the prosecution cell site expert and legal argument as to the admissibility of a defence statement during the prosecution case. Instructed by Thomas Boyd Whyte.

• R v. B [Southwark] 2016

  Confiscation Proceedings following Mortage Fraud

  Senghin Kong led by Jonathan Goldberg QC in confiscation proceedings on behalf of a defendant who had pleaded guilty to mortgage fraud. The benefit figure claimed by the prosecution was reduced from over £1.8 million (the value of the frauds to which the defendant pleaded guilty) to less than £140,000 following negotiation. Instructed by Burton Copeland.

• R v. A & anr [Wood Green] 2016

  Conspiracy to fraudulently obtain mobile phone upgrades

  Senghin Kong instructed to prosecute two defendants charged with a conspiracy to obtain fraudulently mobile phone upgrades. The loss to the mobile phone company was in excess of £40,000 as a result of offending over a 2 year period. Instructed by CPS London.

• R v M [Wood Green] 2016

  Sexual Assault

  Aska Fujita represented a healthcare assistant employed by the NHS who was accused of sexually assaulting a patient. Following a four-day trial, the defendant was acquitted. Instructed by Sternberg Reed.

• Inquest into the Death of Callum Osborne 2014

  Inquest of groundworker buried alive when a trench collapsed

  Mark Dacey acted as Counsel to the Inquiry at the Inquest into the death of Callum Osborne whom died on his second day working on a building site in Kent when he was buried alive after a "trench" collapse. The cause of death was heart failure.

  BBC News report here.

• Inquest into the Death of Terrence Wooten 2014

  Stabbing of Pensioner by Schizophrenic son

  Christopher Sutton-Mattocks acted as Counsel to the Inquiry and Mark Dacey represented the famly at this 2 week Inquest into the Death of Terrence Wooton who died by stabbing by his schizophrenic son.

  News report here. 

• Inquest into the Death of Sapper Mark Smith 2013

  Death by Friendly fire whilst on duty in Afghanistan

  Christopher Sutton-Mattocks appeared as Counsel to the inquiry during the Inquest into the tragic death in a "friendly fire" incident in Afghanistan.

  BBC news report here.

• Inquest into the Death of Cpl Sean Violino 2009

  Inquest, Death on Active Duty

  Christopher Sutton-Mattocks was the assistant coroner whom presided over the Inquest into the death of Cpl Sean Violino whom died whilst on active service in Afghanistan.

  News report here.

• Inquest into the Death of Edward Barry 2013

  Inquest, Death by misadventure

  Christopher Sutton-Mattocks appeared as Counsel to the inquiry during the 4 week Inquest into the tragic death of Kent teenager Edward Barry who died as a result of the combined effects of methadone and diazepam intoxication.

  News report here.

• Inquest into the Deaths of Brown & Lynch 2011

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link Fire

  Christopher Sutton-Mattocks appeared as Counsel to the inquiry during the 6 week Inquest into the tragic deaths of Darren Brown and Douglas Lynch as a result of a fatal fire upon the maintenance locomotive during the building of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

  BBC news report here.

• R v. JLM & ors [C.C.C.] 2016

  Murder of a 17 year old aspiring "Rap" artist

  Jonathan Higgs QC leading Valeria Swift defended a 15 year old youth, at his 2 month Old Bailey trial, charged with 5 others, accused of the murder of a 17 year old aspiring "Rap" artist in South London. Instructed by Thomas Boyd Whyte Solicitors.

• R v. Hashi & ors [C.C.C] 2016

  Joint Enterprise Murder

  Jonathan Higgs QC leading Danny Robinson successfully defended a man cleared of a joint enterprise murder in which was the first trial to be subject to the Supreme Court decision of R v. Jogee. Instructed by Thomas Boyd Whyte Solicitors.

  Daily Telegraph report here.

• R v. Phillips & anr [C.C.C.] 2015

  Murder

  Jonathan Higgs QC defended a teenage boy charged with another for the fatal stabbing of a young man in East London. Instructed by Alexander Johnson & Partners.

• R v. G [Snaresbrook] 2016

  Sexual Assault upon teenage girl

  Jonathan Higgs QC successfully defended a man who was cleared of raping a young teenage girl whilst his daughter slept beside her. Instructed by Tuckers.

• R v. Heir & ors [Blackfriars] 2015

  Money Laundering

  Jonathan Higgs QC defended in a case involving an Indian national concerning a large-scale money laundering operation in the UK involving the passing of millions of pounds of UK banknotes to know drug dealers. The defendant was employed by the Sahara group and it was alleged that company was involved in the conspiracy. Instructed by EBR Attridge.

• R v. Dirda & ors [Canterbury] 2015

  People Trafficking

  Jonathan Higgs QC leading Paul Jackson in the defence of male charged along with others with rape and enforced prostitution. The complainant alleged that when she was 13 years old she was forced to consume class A drugs, forced into prostitution and raped on multiple occasions. The trial was stopped after 2 months at half-time following successful submissions of no case to answer based on the unreliability of the complainant. This case included the cross-examination of a vulnerable 16 year old witness through an interpreter and intermediary and application for third party disclosure from a different country. The served unused disclosure amounted to thousands of pages in this case. Instructed by TS Law. News report here.

• R v. Cohen & ors [Kingston] 2015

  Conspiracies to commit Armed Robbery

  Jonathan Higgs QC defended a Hatton Garden jeweller in a long running Kingston trial involving armed robberries upon Mappin & Webb in the City, Prada and Jimmy Choo in Bond Street and Alexander McQueen's wharehouse in Islington. Instructed by Blackfords LLP.

• Appeal of DS 2016

  Gross Negligence Medical Manslaughter

  Mark Heywood QC leading Ben Temple, acted in the appeal by a doctor convicted of Gross Negligence Medical Manslaughter following the death of a patient after falling unexpectedly ill following knee surgery.

• R v. Jose Sanchez [Cayman Islands] 2015

  Murder of special olympian

  Mark Heywood QC instructed by Priestleys successfully defended in the Cayman Islands, the trial of JG Sanchez, for the murder of the special olympian Solomon Webster.

  News link here.

• R. v. G; R. v. J [2009] UKHL 13; Archbold 2013: 25-67 2009

  Use of Articles for purposes of Terrorism

  Mark Heywood QC leading Ben Temple for the Prosecution at first instance, the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords where David Perry QC was also instructed.

  J was found to be in possession of an extensive library of religious, political, ideological, military and extreme Islamist material some of which had an express terrorist purpose, digitally stored on his laptop, I-Pod, telephone and numerous digital disks comprising several hundred hours of audio and video material and several thousand pages of documentation.   J was charged with possessing articles for a purpose connected with terrorism, contrary to section 57(1) of the Terrorism Act 2000.  J pleaded guilty to four counts contrary to section 58 of the Act.  The Court of Appeal then handed down judgment in R. v. K [2008] EWCA Crim.185 on the point of reasonable excuse under section 58(3).  J, having applied successfully to vacate his pleas, claiming erroneous legal advice in the light of R. v. K, re-entered not guilty pleas at a preparatory hearing in the course of which the Recorder of Birmingham, regarding himself bound by R. v. K, ruled on a question of law formulated by the Crown that, by reference to R. v. K, under section 58 where a reasonable excuse is raised the prosecution must prove a terrorist purpose.

  Leave to appeal to the House of Lords was granted.  The three certified questions raised substantial, complex issues.  The concept of reasonable excuse had to be considered across numerous statutory contexts.  The Crown’s appeals (G and J) were allowed and J, a year after he had first done so, pleaded guilty to four offences contrary to section 58.

• R v. Simpson-Kent [C.C.C.] 2016

  Murder of Eastenders actress and 2 children by partner

  Mark Heywood QC prosecuted the case involving the horrific killings of the Eastenders actress Sian Blake and her two children, whom were murdered by the partner and father Arthur Simpson-Kent. The defendant was sentenced to a whole life tariff.

  BBC News report here.

• Operation Seagram [Woolwich] 2008

  Planned Car Bomb attacks

  Mark Heywood QC along with Jonathan Laidlaw QC conducted the prosecution of 2 NHS Doctors for conspiracy to murder by planning car bomb attacks in 2007 at London's West End Tiger Tiger Nightclub and at the Glasgow International Airport.

  BBC news report here.

• Operation Crevice [C.C.C.] 2007

  'Fertiliser' Bomb Plot

  Mark Heywood QC along with David Walters QC and Duncan Atkinson prosecuted the longest running Old Bailey trial which concerned the "Fertiliser Bomb Plot" and conspiracies to cause explosions throughout the U.K.

  BBC news report here 

• R v. S [Chelmsford] 2016

  Cyber Crime

  Senghin Kong represented a defendant charged with Cyber Crime offences following a lengthy investigation involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Crime Agency and the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit. The Crown’s case was that the defendant had bought and used the “Blackshades” Remote Access Tool but also sold Distributed Denial of Service (“DDoS”) tools on hundreds of occasions in the course of a sophisticated commercial operation. The case involved highly technical forensic computer evidence and complex financial analysis of a multitude of bank accounts and Paypal accounts which were said to be used to launder criminal proceeds through an international network of “mules”. Following negotiation with the Crown, the defendant tendered acceptable pleas to half the counts on the indictment, on an agreed basis. This, combined with mitigation, resulted in a suspended sentence. Instructed by Sternberg Reed Solicitors

• Appeal of Johnson & ors 2016

  Post "Jogee" Joint Enterprise Appeal

  Sarah Forshaw QC was involved in the post "Jogee" conviction appeals. A matter that is to be considered by the Supreme Court.

  Judgment can be found here.

   

• R v. D & ors [C.C.C.] 2015

  Drug related double murder

  Sarah Forshaw QC appeared for a 17 year old man who was cleared of involvement in the double murder of two men in Leytonstone, East London. Instructed by McCormacks.

  BBC news report here.

• R v. Kharrahassan & ors [C.C.C.] 2014

  Importation of £5m of Cocaine

  Sarah Forshaw QC leading Charlotte Newell represented a greengrocer who was charged and cleared of smuggling £5m of cocaine in fruit and vegetables. Co-defendants sentenced to 17 years. instructed by Bark & Co.

  Daily Mail report here.

• R v. Thompson [Aylesbury] 2013

  Historic Sex Abuse

  Sarah Forshaw QC leading Dickon Reid successfully represented this defendant who had Aspergers and was charged and cleared of 42 counts of historic sexual assaults. The defendant had similar fact previous convictions which were renewed to the Court of Appeal and subsequently overturned. Instructed by Edward Hayes LLP. Internet report here.

• R v. Dr V [Wood Green] 2016

  Doctor accused of Sexually Assaulting young patient

  Sarah Forshaw QC successfully represented this Doctor whom was cleared of an allegation of sexually assaulting a young female patient. Instructed by EBR Attridge. Now instructed by BCL Solicitors LLP in regulatory proceedings before the GMC and NHS Trust.

• R v. Riaz & anr [C.C.C.] 2015

  Murder

  Sarah Forshaw QC successfully represented a law student who was cleared of arranging the murder of her boyfriend by a former boyfriend. Instructed by Imran Khan & Partners.

  Daily Mail report here.

• Coats, R. v [2013] EWCA Crim 1472 (24 July 2013) 2013

  "Battered Woman Syndrome"

  Sarah Forshaw QC acted on behalf of this appellant on a case referred to the COA by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The appeal centred around "Battered Women Syndrome" after the appellant was convicted of cocaine smuggling. Instructed by Blackfords LLP.

  Reported Judgment can be read here.

  Guardian report can be read here.

• R v. Brennan [2015] 1 WLR 2060 2015

  Murder

  Sarah Forshaw QC was instructed in the defence of a gay escort accused of killing 53 year old antiques dealer in a ritualistic satanic attack. The murder conviction was overturned on appeal in 2015 and the sentence reduced. It has become an important decision in cases of diminished responsibility and expert psychiatric evidence.

  The judgment of the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division, is now reported http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Crim/2014/2387.html. The decision is now cited in both the current editions of Archbold and Blackstones.

  BBC news report here.

  
   

• R v. A [Aylesbury] 2015

  Allegation of Rape against a professional footballer

  Sarah Forshaw QC was successful in the defence of a professional footballer charged with rape and sexual assault upon teenage victim. Instructed by BCL Solicitors LLP.

• Operation Farnhams [C.C.C.] 2012

  Murder of schoolboy at Victoria Station

  Sarah Forshaw QC leading Sue Rodham, successfully represented their defendant in the trial in respect of the brutal killing of the schoolboy Sofyen Belamouadden at Victoria Railway station by a gang of 19 youths in March 2010. The horrific nature of this killing led to widespread publicity of joint enterprise, knife related gang crime. Instructed by Whitelock and Storr.

  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15310015

• Operation Withern 2012

  London riots

  Rishi Nathwani represented one of 22 Defendants charged with a pre-planned conspiracy to rob wealthy victims and commit violent disorder during the height of the riots in August 2011, where notorious London gangs joined forces to commit widespread disorder. Represented one of the principal organisers. Case revolved around telephone/cell site and video evidence.

• Operation Shido 2012

  Kidnap & Conspiracy to Rob

  Rishi Nathwani represented one of 8 Defendants charged with conspiring to kidnap and rob a known drug dealer of over £1 million worth of cocaine and over £100k in cash. Trident officers conducted a surveillance operation on the Defendants, who themselves were conducting a surveillance operation on the intended target. This Defendant accepted purchasing a tracking device that was placed under the target's vehicle and also accepted travelling from London to Brighton around the same time as the target and his vehicle travelled to that location, with the Crown maintaining the purpose was to follow the target. Evidence against the Defendant also revolved around cell site data and text messages. 4 weeks into the trial, the Court (HHJ Stow) upheld a submission of no case to answer after careful cell site analysis. The Defendant was the only Defendant acquitted of all counts, with others receiving between 7-10 years imprisonment.

• R v. Bucur & ors [Southwark] 2016

  People Trafficking

  Rishi Nathwani, leading Hannah Wyatt, represented 1 of 9 Defendants charged with people trafficking for sexual exploitation and linked controlling prostitution charges. Successfully applied to dismiss three of the four counts faced by the Defendant. Thereafter, the Crown’s main evidence was successfully excluded, some of which related to complex hearsay arguments. After further legal arguments relating to disclosure and admissibility of evidence that had been tampered with by the Investigating officers, the jury were discharged after 12 days and the Crown formally offered no evidence to the remaining counts faced by this client. Instructed by Hodge Jones Allen.

• R v. Pandit [Blackfriars] 2016

  £1.44m Payroll Fraud

  Rishi Nathwani represented payroll clerk who was charged with stealing £1.44 million from his employer, the charity Marie Stopes International. Instructed by Bark & Co.

• R v. Lategan [Isleworth] 2015

  Alleged sexual assaults upon 8 women

  Rishi Nathwani successfully represented a celebrated photographer charged with several allegations of sexual assault on a total of 8 women.This was a high profile case as Mr Lategan (regarded by Vogue Magazine as one of the UK’s most influential photographers) was linked with celebrities and royalty such as Twiggy, HRH Princess Anne, Margaret Thatcher, the McCartneys, Salman Rushdie and the Beckhams. Successfully deployed psychiatric evidence to demonstrate that Mr Lategan was unfit to stand trial and that the offending acts occurred as a consequence of the brain damage he sustained from an horrific fall in 2008.Instructed by Goldkorns. Telegraph news report.

• Operation Pod 2013

  Gangland Drug related Murder

  Rishi Nathwani led by Kieran Vaughan QC, alleged Gangland, drug related 5 handed Murder of Reece James Menzies. Represented alleged organiser of a planned execution with sawn-off shotgun, where 3 of the Defendants travelled to an address in Bournemouth from London in the early hours of the morning and went straight to a known drug dealer's address, entered the property and exited 90 seconds later with the deceased passing away during that time due to a bullet wound to the face. Complex case involved covert surveillance probe, cell site/telephone evidence, anonymous witnesses and bad character/motive issues where Defence case was a burglary during which the deceased produced a firearm that killed him in an accident. Much of the evidence was excluded after successful legal argument relating to bad character despite attacking character of the deceased and his associates. After lengthy trial, Defendant acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter by majority verdict before Mrs Justice Davies QC and a jury. Instructed by Goldkorns.

• Operation Diamond 2013

  Conspiracy to Murder

  Rishi Nathwani led by Jonathan Fuller QC, represented one of 6 Defendants charged with Conspiring to Murder with a conspiracy to commit GBH in the alternative. The allegation related to attacking the mistress of one Defendants to appease his girlfriend. The attackers had driven from the Nottingham area down to Poole on three occasions to find her and on two occasions did and attacked her with hammers. The case involved covert surveillance in the form of probe evidence, mobile phone billing and cell site and considerable cell site analysis. Defendant convicted of the GBH after a trial before Mr Justice Royce and a jury. Instructed by EBR Attridge.

   

• R v. Monteith & ors [C.C.C.] 2015

  Revenge Killing

  Rishi Nathwani led by Kieran Vaughan QC represented the Defendant in a 8 week long, 3 handed murder allegation relating to the brutal killing of Danny Gough in his bed whilst he slept next to his pregnant girlfriend. The Crown alleged that the attack was planned and executed by Monteith and his 2 co-defendants as revenge for the deceased a month earlier breaking into Monteith’s home and slashing his face. Case involved complex low copy DNA of the Defendant found within the crime scene that was the subject of legal argument culminating in the Crown no longer relying upon it. There was also eye witness evidence, computer evidence telephone/cell site and CCTV evidence, as well as placing before the jury motives of others who wished to kill the deceased. Mr Monteith and his co-defendants were unanimously acquitted by the jury. Instructed by Goldkorns. BBC news report.

• R v. GD [C.C.C.] 2015

  Murder

  Rishi Nathwani led by Stephen Kamlish QC represented the main Defendant in a 6 handed, 6 week murder trial. GD was a 16 year old charged with the murder of James Hunter. Case alleged that the murder was as a result of brewing tensions between the Defendant’s group and the deceased’s friend. The Crown relied upon mobile phone, cell site and Blackberry/WhatsApp messaging and their interpretation. The case also involved significant non-conviction bad character of both witnesses and defendants as well as complex hearsay arguments. Instructed by Goldkorns. ITV news report.

   

• R v. Ibrahim & ors [C.C.C.] 2016

  Murder

  Rishi Nathwani, led by Kieran Vaughan QC, represented the First Defendant in multi-handed cut throat murder trial relating to death of Hamdi Jiumale. Defendant acquitted at half time of murder at the direction of HHJ Wide, QC. Co-defendants convicted of murder and manslaughter. Instructed by Stokoe Partnership. Independent news report.

• R v. A [AG Reference] 2014

  Underage Sexual Activity

  Dominic Webber represented this Mum off 44 who had sexual relationship with a 14 year old boy has suspended sentence overturned by the COA.

  http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mum-44-who-sex-boy-4371972

• R v. B [AG Reference] 2016

  Blackmail

  Dominic Webber represented this defendant before the Court of Appeal for offences relating to Blackmail and payment of £30,000 after threats to family.

  News report here.

• R v. T.N & ors [Wood Green] 2014

  Conspiracy to Steal High Value Motor Vehicles

  Irshad Sheikh represented this defendant on a Long running Wood Green trial involving a large-scale conspiracy to steal £10m worth of high value motor vehicles such Range Rovers and Ferrari's.

• R v. K & ors [Bristol] 2015

  Manufacture of Crystal Meth

  Irshad Sheikh was lead Counsel for this defendant in the 5 month Bristol "Breaking Bad" trial involving the production and manufacture of industrial quantities of crystal meth. Instructed by HP Gower.

  BBC News Report here.

• Army v. SB [Osnabruck] 2015

  Sexual Activity with a Child

  Irshad Sheikh successfully represented this senior army officer accused of sexual activity with a child, despite huge quantity of "incriminating" text mesages. [Osnabruck, Germany]

• G.M.C. v Dr K 2015

  Sexual Misconduct with patient

  Irshad Sheik was successful in his defence of this Doctor who faced charges of sexual misconduct before his professional body. Direct Access Client.

• R v. TH [Newcastle] 2015

  Historic Sex Abuse

  Irshad Sheikh successfully appeared for the defence, a 79 year old care home manager, accused of historic sexual offences of the utmost depravity upon his daughter in 1960's. Instructed by Thomas Boyd Whyte.

• R v. A.N [Newcastle] 2016

  Gang Rape

  Irshad Sheikh successfully appeared for the defence in this high profile case alleging the gang rape of an 18 year old girl by 6 males.Instructed by Thomas Boyd Whyte.

• Thailand v. Aldhouse 2015

  Extradition of British citizen

  Alison Wilkes instructed by the CPS Extradition Unit appeard in this Extradition of British citizen to Thailand to stand trial for the murder of a highly-decorated US Marine. Extensive arguments on prison conditions and the adequacy of diplomatic assurances. Extradition secured; A pleaded Guilty in Thailand and was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment.

• R v. X 2013

  Financial exploitation

  Alison Wilkes appeared for the Prosecution in the trial of a man with learning difficulties for the systematic financial exploitation of another with significant learning difficulties; intermediaries used to aid communication.

• R v. E-J 2012

  London riots

  Alison Wilkes acted for the Crown in this London riots prosecution for s18 GBH; ringleader who threw a brick through a police car window at a police officer.

• R v. F 2015

  Theft From Employer

  Alison Wilkes represented a vulnerable defendant accused of theft of drugs from workplace (a retirement home).

• R v. L 2015

  Rape and historic child abuse

  Alison Wilkes was led junior for the Crown in this case involving multiple charges of rape and historic child abuse against the defendant’s family. A complex case as there had been 2 previous prosecutions of the defendant for similar charges, one of which involved the complainants in the instant case. Complex disclosure issues and voluminous information from the Family Court.

• Operation Goomburra [C.C.C.] 2013

  Joint Enterprise Murder

  Mark Heywood QC, Jonathan Polnay and Alison Wilkes Prosecuted this 3 month,10-handed murder trial at the Central Criminal Court with extensive cell site, phone download and CCTV evidence, including the use of electronic presentation aids (360 mapping).

• R v. M & ors [C.C.C.] 2015

  Armed robberies

  Alison Wilkes instructed as sole prosecutor on a five-handed trial at the Central Criminal Court. 2 armed robberies of a Bangladeshi money transfer business in which £340,000 was stolen. Case built on CCTV together with cell site evidence and call pattern analysis. Evidence of lifestyle and post-offence spending a particular issue.

• R v. LM [Inner London] 2015

  Housing fraud

  Valeria Swift prosecuted as sole counsel in a case relating to a house rental fraud involving identification of money transfers to multiple bank accounts. Defendant found guilty – conviction upheld in Court of Appeal following full submissions.

• R v. MD [Southwark] 2015

  Attempted Murder

  Valeria Swift acted as sole defence counsel in an apparently motiveless serious stabbing of taxi driver by woman of previous impeccable character – initially investigated by the police as an attempted murder - exploration of defences of insanity and automatism – following consideration of expert evidence defendant pleaded guilty to a section 20 offence and was immediately released from custody.

• R v. JK & ors [Reading] 2009

  Conspiracy to supply drugs

  Mark Dacey led Valeria Swift for the defence in this complex Conspiracy to supply drugs. They represented the only defendant to be found not guilty after a 3 month trial – successful result contingent on careful analysis of telephone evidence and extensive intrusive surveillance authorised under RIPA. Instructed by Dhanju Mclean.

• R v. MS [Snaresbrook] 2015

  Baby shaking

  Valeria Swift appeared on behalf of the defence as a led junior. Baby shaking case involving an exceptionally large number of multi-disciplinary experts on issues ranging from neuroradiology, infectious diseases and haematology. Defendant found not guilty.

• R v. FR [Basildon] 2015

  Possession of indecent images of children

  Valeria Swift instructed as sole defence counsel in a case relating to possession of indecent images of children. The defendant pleaded guilty to making numerous indecent images of children and mitigation advanced which resulted in the defendant avoiding an immediate custodial sentence despite the finding of category A images. Legal submissions successfully advanced to reduce the negative impact of the Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) on the defendant’s employment and career prospects.

• R v. BT [Snaresbrook] 2015

  Rape

  Valeria Swift instructed by the prosecution in a rape case where the examination required meticulous planning to minimise distress to victim who resided in another jurisdiction, taking into account logistical difficulties of conducting a trial over two time zones. Defendant found guilty.

• R v. DP [Snaresbrook] 2015

  Sexual abuse of 5 year old

  Valeria Swift instructed by the prosecution in relatio to the sexual abuse of 5 year old by father – intermediary – believed to be first time counsel examined child witness from a remote room to assist the vulnerable witness – highly successful novel approach. Defendant found guilty.

• R v. JE & 6 ors [Winchester] 2013

  Murder

  Christopher Sutton-Mattocks led Valeria Swift instructed by the defence in this conspiracy to murder involving an attempted contract killing. This defendant subsequently pleaded guilty to attempted GBH and was acquitted of conspiracy to murder. Instructed by the Grech Gooden Partnership.

• R v. Ashfield [Woolwich] 2015

  Rape

  James Martin instructed as defence junior alone. The defendant met the complainant though the “Plenty of Fish” dating website. On their first meeting they ended up having sexual intercourse in his car. The issue was one of consent. Much turned on the comprehensive communication by the complainant via text message with her friends the next day. Cell site information was also crucial in undermining her account of what happened on the evening in question. The defendant was found not guilty by the Jury.

• R v. D & ors [Winchester] 2015

  GBH Sc18

  James Martin instructed as defence counsel. The defendant was part of a large disorder that centred on the Poison Pub in Basingstoke. It was alleged that for his part in the disturbance he had smashed a bottle on someone’s head and had bitted off the ends of two fingers from a man’s hand. His defence was that the bottling incident was mistaken identification and the finger biting was self-defence. He was found not guilty by the Jury. Instructed by Goldkorns.

• R v. Pasquale & ors [Isleworth] 2015

  Multi-handed football violence case

  James Martin instructed in a multi-handed football violence case. Allegation involved organised fighting between rival fans. Case depended largely upon the correctness of police identification from CCTV. After several days of legal submissions made by Mr Martin the identification evidence was ruled inadmissible due to the failure of the police officers to correctly follow the relevant codes of practice. Case was then abandoned by the Crown against Mr Pasquale.

• R v. L F [Kingston] 2015

  Attempted Murder

  James Martin instructed as defence counsel. Allegation is that the defendant drove his partner to a remote location and dragged her from the car and attacked her. When this did not work he got back into the car with her and then drove dangerously with the intention of killing them both. In the crash that ensued both were injured but survived. Instructed by Goldkorns.

• R v. Galvin & ors [Cambridge] 2015

  Conspiracy to supply A and C drugs

  James Martin appeared as defence counsel in a multi-handed conspiracy to supply cannabis and cocaine. This was a large intelligence led operation which centred on the activities of one of the defendants said to be the head of an organised crime group which was supplying large quantities of both Cocaine and Cannabis. The key evidence came from a combination of phone/cell site evidence and the product of a covert listening device placed in the car of the lead defendant.

• R v. Robbins & ors [C.C.C.] 2015

  Mortgage Frauds

  James Martin instructed as defence counsel in a multi-handed mortgage fraud conspiracy at the CCC. Allegations revolve around a company said to have been set up to provide mortgage to people from the criminal fraternity with no questions asked. The defendant was an employee of the company and is said to have benefitted from such a mortgage. Her husband was involved in money laundering and drug trafficking. Instructed by Thomas Boyd Whyte.

• R v. Campbell & ors [Birmingham] 2016

  Conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs

  James Martin instructed as junior alone. Large scale conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs.

• R v. Dinsmore [St Albans] 2016

  Money Laundering

  James Martin instructed as junior alone. Case involved allegations surrounding the proceeds of a complex Fraud taking place in Europe. Various sham companies were offering clients jobs as high end companions for the wealthy. Another aspect of the fraud was a production company offering roles in Pornographic films. Both were shams and the money taken upfront from those involved was being syphoned to the UK. 

• R v. Owen & ors [C.C.C.] 2016

  Largest ever importation of firearms into the UK

  James Martin instructed as junior alone. Largest ever importation of firearms into the UK. Weapons were military grade assault rifles of the type that could have been used in a "Paris Style" attack on the UK mainland. Weapons were smuggled in to the country on a boat into Kent where they were intercepted by armed under cover officers

• R v. V C & 8 ors [Southwark] 2016

  People Trafficking

  James Martin appeared as leading counsel. 9 defendants charged with people trafficking for the purposes of prostitution and money laundering the proceeds. This case involved a protracted investigation into the alleged conspirators. The evidence centred around flight manifests, Money transfer records, mobile phone downloads and anonymous hearsay evidence taken from internet companies that advertised the prostitutes said to be under the control of the defendants. After substantial legal argument the Crown were persuaded to drop the case against this defendant.

• Operation Peltier 2016

  People trafficking

  Gordon Carse instructed as prosecution counsel in this multi-handed prosecution founded on a joint investigation between the Hungarian and Metropolitan police into the trafficking of around 200 woman for the purpose of sexual exploitation. The trial is estimated to last several months.

• R v. AB 2014

  Possession of firearm with intent to endanger life

  Gordon Carse appeared as sole prosecution counsel in a possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life trial. This prosecution arose from an Operation Trident investigation and related to a loaded sawn off shotgun and ammunition. The case relied upon interpretation of DNA evidence and resulted in a conviction.

• Operation Ralemation 2014

  Investigation by the Trident East Gang Crime Command

  Gordon Carse instructed as sole counsel for the prosecution in a 4 handed attempted murder trial. The case was investigated by the Trident East Gang Crime Command. Following a four week trial the defendants were convicted of attempted murder (shooting) and a string of other firearms offences. Sentences totalling over 46 years imprisonment were handed down.

• Operation Listado 2014

  Conspiracy to supply of class A drugs

  Gordon Carse instructed as sole counsel by the defence in multi-handed, multi-kilo supply of cocaine trial. This observation case placed significant reliance on covert listening devices, cell site evidence, ANPR records, call data and text messages. The defendant was the only one acquitted.

• Operation Kennedy [Portsmouth] 2014

  Conspiracy to supply class A drugs

  Gordon Carse led Ben Holt for the defence in this multi-handed Class A conspiracy trial. The defendant was alleged to have been part of a conspiracy to supply over £600,000 of cocaine in and around the Portsmouth area. The defendant’s involvement and role were underpinned by cocaine found in his possession, call data and text messages. The defendant was acquitted. Sentences totalling 54 years imprisonment were handed down.

• Operation Lundie 2013

  Highly professional car theft ring that targeted high end BMWs due to a security flaw in the alarm and immobilizer system

  Gordon Carse instructed as led junior counsel for the defence in a multi-handed conspiracy to handle stolen goods trial. The defendant was the ringleader of a highly professional car theft ring that targeted high end BMWs due to a security flaw in the alarm and immobilizer system. The conspiracy operated numerous “chop-shops”, which the vehicles were taken to for dismantling prior to being shipped to Lithuania - often within 24 hours. The conspiracy was estimated to be responsible for the theft of in excess of £10 million worth of vehicles.

• Operation Pearham 2013

  Multi-handed possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life

  Gordon Carse appeared as sole counsel for the defence in multi-handed possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life trial. The case was investigated by the Homicide and Complex Case unit of the West Yorkshire Police. The defendant was alleged to have travelled from London with the intention to rob, at gun point, individuals connected to the importation of multi-kilo consignments of heroin. The firearm was repeatedly discharged during the incident. The defendant’s connection to the offence and role were underpinned by text messages and calls, cell site evidence, and ANPR records. The defendant was acquitted. Two co-defendants tried separately were convicted and each received sentences of 16 years imprisonment.

• R v. T [Chelmsford] 2014

  Firearms and drugs

  Ben Holt represented a defendant charged with possession of firearm with intent to endanger life and drug supply offences. Convicted of the drug matters and simple possession of the gun. Sentenced to an eight-year term of imprisonment.

• R v. S & ors [C.C.C] 2014

  Card fraud by ATM skimming

  Catherine Pattison led Ben Holt for the prosecution in two separate sets of proceedings relating to Romanian nationals who were charged with card fraud by ATM “skimming”. This was sophisticated organised crime group who were making equipment to capture individuals’ bank account details when they inserted their cards into an ATM. A total of 13 defendants were charged with offences ranging from conspiracy to defraud, possessing articles for use in fraud and transferring criminal property. (Investigated by DCPCU, instructed by CPS SCU). Mirror Online news report.

• Operation Tineid [Blackfriars] 2015

  Fraud

  Catherine Farrelly led Ben Holt for the Crown. Defendants were charged with arranging co-defendants to take driving test on behalf of other people. NCA investigation, instructed by the Organised Crime Group at the CPS.

  News report here.

• R v. A & ors [C.C.C] 2015

  Standing Order Fraud

  Jonathan Polnay led Ben Holt for the Crown in a nine-handed standing order fraud that was set up and orchestrated by an inside man working with Nationwide bank. Case involved a considerable amount of forensic and banking evidence. (Investigated by DCPCU, instructed by CPS SCU). Jury were unable to reach a verdict on defendant said to be “inside man”. Prosecuted re-trial alone and the defendant was convicted. Mail Online news report.

• R v. M & M [Woolwich] 2015

  NHS fraud

  Ben Holt represented the husband of an NHS employee, in a prosecution brought by NHS Protect. The wife was alleged to have stolen £300,000 from her employer whilst working for the NHS. The husband was said to have acquired the criminal property. Significant quantity of evidence served (over 10,000 pages). Ben acted alone; other parties in the trial had two counsel. Hung jury. Evening Standard news report.

• R v. S 2015

  Armed Robbery

  Ben Holt prosecution counsel in an armed robbery trial. Crown’s case relied solely on ANPR, cell site and other circumstantial evidence. Defendant convicted and imprisoned for life.

• R v. R & ors [Croydon] 2013

  Kidnap trial

  Catherine Pattison led Ben Holt for the prosecution in this 5-handed kidnap trial. This case involved counsel reviewing a considerable amount of unused material. This included downloads from over 40 mobile telephones.There were numerous issues relating to sensitive disclosure. The case against the defendants was solely reliant on cell-site and tracker evidence. One defendant was convicted and received a prison sentence of 12 years. Instructed to draft respondent’s notice to appeal. Leave refused; renewed in front of the full Court and refused. (Investigated by Kidnap & Special Investigation Unit of the Met, instructed by CPS SCU).

• R v. S [Inner London] 2015

  Conspiracy to Supply Drugs

  Senghin Kong prosecuted a defendant for possession of over £20,000 worth of Class A drugs with intent to supply and possession of a loaded firearm with intent to endanger life.

• R v. S [Guildford] 2015

  Conspiracy to burgle high value motor vehicles

  ​Senghin Kong represented one of five defendants charged with conspiracy to burgle high value motor vehicles worth over £100,000. Following negotiation, there was a plea on a basis which resulted in a suspended sentence. Instructed by Thomas Boyd Whyte Solicitors.

• R v. S [C.C.C.] 2016

  Theft From Employer

  Senghin Kong prosecuted a defendant extradited to the UK to face multiple charges of theft from employer, which involved advising on speciality issues.

• R v. J & anr 2015

  Fraudulent Trading

  Senghin Kong represented a company director charged with fraudulent trading arising out of what the prosecution described as a “copycat website”. Initially the prosecution suggested the value of the fraud was £500,000. Following negotiation, a plea to breach of the Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 was accepted and the defendant received, exceptionally, a conditional discharge. The defendant was also subject to a restraint order in these proceedings which the prosecution alleged she had breached in contempt proceedings which were withdrawn following negotiation. Instructed by Thomas Boyd Whyte Solicitors.

• Kent Police v. M 2015

  Asset Forfeiture

  Senghin Kong represented the Respondent in a 3 day application for the forfeiture of nearly £100,000 in cash as a result of multiple seizures. There was complex legal argument as to the application of proportionality in such proceedings. Instructed by Thomas Boyd Whyte Solicitors.

• Appeal Re: F 2016

  Appeal of Confiscation Order

  Senghin Kong represented the Appellant at his successful appeal against a confiscation order and was commended by Davis LJ on the clarity of his written and oral submissions. The Crown had successfully argued below that debts incurred solely by the Appellant but secured on his family home should be paid from the proceeds of sale before division between the Appellant and his wife who shared the beneficial interest in the property equally. On appeal, the Crown conceded that this was wrong and the Court of Appeal held that these debts should be paid out of the Appellant’s share of the proceeds of sale as to hold otherwise would lead to a disproportionate result.

• R v. Anwar & ors [C.C.C.] 2016

  Attempted Murder

  Catherine Farrelly leading Senghin Kong in this prosecution of 6 defendants on charges including attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to commit robbery and conspiracy to rob. At the close of the prosecution case the learned Judge upheld submissions of no case to answer on the charges of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to commit robbery. As a result the prosecution appealed this at an expedited hearing. The Court of Appeal allowed the prosecution appeal and the trial continued on all charges. Leveson LJ gave the judgment of the court reported here. The 6 defendants were eventually convicted of possession of a firearm with intent to commit robbery and conspiracy to rob. The case involved complex cell site evidence and legal argument. Guardian report here.

• R v. V & T [C.O.A] 2015

  Appeal Against Sentence for Money Laundering

  Hannah Wyatt instructed in a successful appeal against sentence in relation to fraud and money laundering offences. Sentence reduced from 3 years to 2 years.

• R v. N & ors [Bristol] 2015

  Conspiracy to produce crystal methamphetamine, amphetamine and MDMA

  Pieter Briegel led Hannah Wyatt in this 12 week Bristol trial, defending a senior member of a conspiracy to produce crystal methamphetamine, amphetamine and MDMA. An unusual case due to the lack of knowledge about crystal methamphetamine in the UK and involving over 500 hours of covert audio recordings. Instructed by Blackfords LLP.

• R v. Y 2016

  Fraud by false representation

  Hannah Wyatt defended a fraud by false representation case. Successful application to dismiss.

• R v. V 2016

  Police Officers’ unlawful presence in defendant's home

  Hannah Wyatt defended in an affray trial. Successful legal argument in relation to officers’ unlawful presence in the defendant’s home. No evidence offered thereafter.

• R v. Davies & ors [Southwark] 2016

  HMRC gift aid fraud

  Christopher Sutton-Mattocks and Hannah Wyatt were instructed by the defence in this 3 month Southwark trial where the ring leader was accused of a £5 million pound cut-throat HMRC gift aid fraud. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Hannah Wyatt had to take over leading the case after the third week. This included legal argument, cross examination of co-defendants, including the defendant’s son and daughter and making the closing speech.

• H v. H 2015

  Family law proceedings

  Hannah Wyatt represented a father at a fact finding hearing in private law proceedings. The mother alleged numerous acts of domestic violence.  No findings of fact were made and a Child arrangements Order was agreed.

• LB of Waltham Forest v. M 2015

  Child abduction

  Hannah Wyatt represented a father whose partner had allegedly abducted their children and tried to take them to Syria to join ISIS.

• Kent CC v. B [Medway CC] 2016

  Father in care proceedings accused of causing non-accidental injuries to his 10 day-old baby

  Hannah Wyatt represented a father in care proceedings accused of causing non-accidental injuries to his 10 day-old baby.

• R v. Prospere [Turks & Caicos Islands] 2014

  Supreme Court Providenciales

  Fiona Ryan appeared at the Supreme Court Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, in respect of an armed robbery trial which stopped at half time following submission of no case to answer.

• R v Mote [Southwark] 2016

  Confiscation proceedings following fraud trial

  Aska Fujita represented an ex-MEP in confiscation proceedings following his conviction of offences of fraud and money laundering. The case involved complex legal issues in relation to the impact of a trust on the benefit and available amount. Instructed by Sternberg Reed. Daily Mail report here.

• R v. O & ors [Snaresbrook] 2015

  Drugs, Kidnap & Wounding

  Christopher Sutton-Mattocks led Andrew Collings on the first trial who then led Samantha Bonner in a long running trial and re-trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court involving multiple incidents of kidnapping false imprisonment and GBH over a failed drug deal. Those kidnapped were burned to the face and body with irons whilst falsely imprisoned.

• R v. W & ors [Bristol] 2015

  Conspiracy to Supply Drugs

  Martin Hooper led Samantha Bonner in a 13 week trial at Bristol Crown Court regarding a conspiracy to produce crystal meth, MDMA and amphetamine. The case involved disclosure and PII issues with complex legal argument regarding the police probe on which the Crown’s case was based.

• R v. P [Inner London] 2015

  Murder

  Samantha Bonner assisted the Head of Chambers Mark Heywood QC in successfully prosecuting the murder of a visitor to London set upon after leaving a nightclub in the early hours of the morning.

• R v. Jones [C.C.C.] 2015

  £1.8m racehorse fraud

  Jonathan Polnay appeared for the Crown in this Prosecution of City Banker for defrauding friends and colleagues of £1.8m in a false racehorse investment scheme.

  Press report here.

• R v. Paul [Blackfriars] 2015

  Historic Sexual abuse in Lambeth Children’s Home’

  Jonathan Higgs QC leading Jonathan Polnay prosecuted this prolific paedophile. Paul was convicted by the jury of numerous counts of serious sexual abuse of boys in his care in a Lambeth children's home.

  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-35316685

• R v. Dwayne Henry [Blackfriars] 2015

  Double-jeopardy prosecution of serial rapist

  Mark Heywood QC leading Jonathan Polnay prosecuted this Defendant, who described himself as the ‘Hackney Ripper’, who stood trial and was convicted of a series of rapes of prostitutes, receiving a sentence of life imprisonment. The Defendant had previously been acquitted of rape. A successful application was made to quash the acquittal under the double-jeopardy provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, and join the re-trial to the new proceedings.

  Daily Mail report here.

• R v. H & anr [Southwark] 2015

  International Cricket Match-Fixing

  Jonathan Polnay, Led by Jonathan Laidlaw QC, successfully defended a practising criminal barrister, accused of perverting the course of justice. The case attracted national and international press attention as it centred around an International cricketer, whom was also cleared, of lying under oath in a 2012 Libel trial.

• R v. Vassell & ors [C.C.C.] 2016

  6-handed kidnap, torture and blackmail

  Jonathan Polnay successfully prosecuted this 6-handed kidnap, blackmail and torture case at the Central Criminal Court. Following a perceived drug debt, the Defendants kidnapped the victim and held him hostage. He was made the subejct of numerous sadistic assaults when the demanded ransom was not paid.

  http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/reservoir-dogs-inspired-gang-tortured-7313282

• Operation Lenwade [C.C.C.] 2016

  7-handed gang murder

  Mark Heywood QC and Jonathan Polnay prosecuted this 7-handed gang-murder trial at the Central Criminal Court arising out of a feud between two notorious Hackney gangs. Following the convictions, YouTube was put under significant pressure to remove videos that glorifed the gangs' activities.

  Daily Mail report here.

• R v. Eren & ors [Wood Green] 2016

  Plan to commit armed escape from Wood Green Crown Court

  Jonathan Polnay prosecuted this six-handed conspiracy to escape and possession of imitation firerarm case at the Crown Court at Woolwich, as a sole junior. The case centred around a plot to free Izzet Eren whilst he was being transported to Crown Court at Wood Green to be sentenced for firearms offences. During the police police operation to disrupt the planned offence, a firearms officer shot dead a man in the car with the conspirators.

  BBC news report here.

• R v. M [Maidstone] 2014

  Child sex offences

  Charlotte Newell was instructed in the successful defence of an 85 year old  former police officer suffering from Alzheimer’s and accused of molesting a 4 year old child in 1966. Instructed by Thos Boyd Whyte.

   

• R v. Raison & Dent [Snaresbrook] 2014

  Child sex offences

  Charlotte Newell acted for the Prosecution in case involving a woman who had been persuaded to abuse her own children by a paedophile she met on the internet.

  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2559456/Pregnant-woman-abused-nine-month-old-baby-five-year-old-girl-paedophile-met-internet-jailed-six-years.html

• R v. Phillips & ors [C.C.C.] 2015

  Murder

  Anthony Orchard QC led Charlotte Newell for the Crown in this Old Bailey Hackney Gangland murder.

  News report here.

• R v. Steinmetz [Snaresbrook] 2015

  Rape & Kidnap

  Charlotte Newell appeared for the Prosecution in the trial of Haredi Jewish man who imprisoned and raped his ex-wife in a home made “dungeon”. Prosecuted to conviction in the absence of the victim.

  http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/orthodox-jewish-man-who-tied-raped-ex-wife-london-sex-dungeon-makes-legal-history-1510132

• R v. A & A [Portsmouth] 2015

  Child Cruelty

  Charlotte Newell successfully defended the wife of a couple on allegations of child cruelty against 3 of their 10 children including falsely accusing a 9 year old boy of sexually abusing his siblings. Instructed by Edward Hayes LLP.

   

• R v. Arthy & ors [C.C.C.] 2016

  Conspiracy to import Firearms

  Charlotte Newell appeared for the defence of a female defendant accused and cleared of conspiring to import vast amounts of automatic weaponry after a lengthy Old Bailey trial. Instructed by Thos Boyd Whyte.

  http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/663359/harry-shilling-michael-defraine-cuxton-marina-rochester-kent-michael-topolski

• R v. Huckle [C.C.C.] 2016

  Child sex offences

  Charlotte Newell was Led by Brian O’Neill QC in this Prosecution of prolific sex offender Richard Huckle dubbed “Britain’s worst paedophile” for offences spanning a decade with numerous victims including babies and toddlers. 22 life sentences with a minimum term of 25 years imposed.

  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36458472 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3620004/Britain-s-worst-paedophile-Richard-Huckle-admits-scores-attack-children.html

• R v. Miakheel [C.C.C.] 2016

  Murder.

  Charlotte Newell was Led by Brendan Finucane QC for the Prosecution in the case of a 15 year old Boy charged with murder after a fatal stabbing in the midst of a drug deal.

  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-35469598

• R v. Fruen [C.C.C.] 2016

  Murder

  Charlotte Newell was led by Simon Dennison QC in this Prosecution of a neighbour dispute which led to a fatal stabbing at the end of Christmas day.

  http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/14564713.Mottingham_man_guilty_of_manslaughter_after_stabbing_neighbour_to_death_on_Boxing_Day/

• R v. Salah & 4 ors [Chelmsford] 2016

  Murder

  Jonathan Higgs QC defended in this trial of 5 men for murder after victim was robbed and fatally attacked in Basildon, Essex. Instructed by Sternberg Reed.

• R v. Mahmood & Smith - “The Fake Sheikh Trial” [C.C.C] 2016

  Trial of the "Fake Sheikh"

  Sarah Forshaw QC leading Danny Robinson were instructed by the CPS in the successful prosecution of the 'Fake Sheikh' and his driver for perverting the course of justice surrounding the 2013 failed prosecution of popstar Tulisa Contostavlos.

  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3819690/Fake-Sheikh-Mazher-Mahmood-guilty-Tulisa-cocaine-sting-trial.html

• R v. Edgington [C.C.C.] 2013

  Murder.

  Mark Heywood QC prosecuted the trial of the mental health patient, Nicola Edgington, for the murder and attempted murder of two women in Bexleyheath.

  You can read more about this trial clicking Here

• R v. AS & 17ors [Cambridge] 2015

  conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs

  Irshad Sheikh defended in this conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs – a case involving many hours of covert audio recordings and over 50,000 pages of statements and documentary exhibits.Instructed by Bailey Nicholson Grayson.   

• Operation Volmar [Croydon] 2016

  Conspiracies to Facilitate illegal entry

  Irshad Sheikh defended in this substantial conspiracy to obtain vast sums from local authorities and individuals through carers recruited in breach of immigration law and the consequent laundering of the criminal proceeds . Instructed by EBR Attridge.

• R v. Oakley & ors [Birmingham] 2014

  £34m V.A.T Fraud

  Mark Dacey defended in this large scale V.A.T fraud. Instructed by Goldkorns.

• R v. Bates & ors [Maidstone] 2014

  £2m "Ponzi Scheme" Fraud

  Mark Dacey defended, a complex and large scale, Ponzi scheme fraud. Instructed by Berry & Lamberts.

• R v. Oshodi & ors [Southwark] 2015

  £1m International Banking Fraud

  Mark Dacey defended in this long running Southwark fraud trial. Instructed by Thomas Boyd Whyte.

• R v. Cleland & 6 ors [Ipswich] 2012

  £3.3m Evasion of Duty

  Mark Dacey defended in this lengthy trial of 7 men for the evasion of import duties on over 20 million smuggled cigarettes. Instructed by Thomas Boyd Whyte.

• R v ABCD (Joint Enterprise) [2010] 2 Cr.App.R 32 2010

  Murder

  Mark Dacey, led by Ian Glen QC appeared in this reported case on joint enterprise murder - R v ABCD (Joint Enterprise) [2010] 2 Cr.App.R 32

• R v Ramchurn (Diminished responsibility) [2010] 2 Cr.App.R.3 2010

  Murder - Diminished Responsibilty

  Mark Dacey was led by Ian Glen QC in this reported case regarding Diminished Responsibilty in a murder trial.

• R v. B & ors [Maidstone] 2014

  Revenge Killing

  Mark Dacey led by Ian Glen QC defended one of 4 in a brutal revenge attack in Kent. The victims body was found on the beach in Sheerness having been beaten to death for an alleged sexual assault upon one of the defendants girlfriends.

• R v. H & ors [Croydon] 2011

  Tax Fraud

  Irshad Sheikh was instructed as the lead advocate in this multimillion pound cheat on the public revenue in a VHCC (‘Very High Cost Case’) involving the service of over 80,000 pages  – allegation of cheating the public revenue by creating and submitting false tax returns and thereby dishonestly obtaining tax repayments from HMRC. Regarded as a protracted, substantial, and serious attack on the United Kingdom income tax system.

• R v. B & ors [Cardiff] 2009

  Credit Card Fraud

  Irshad Sheikh was Lead counsel in substantial fraud on credit card companies (VHCC). – allegation of the cloning and use of credit cards and the obtaining of goods and services on a massive scale.Instructed by Eversheds LLP. 

• R v. M & ors [Winchester] 2007

  Bank Fraud

  Irshad Sheikh was instructed as the Leading junior in this Conspiracy to defraud the National Westminster Bank plc – a case involving identity theft and the compromising of bank accounts on a wide and substantial basis.

• R v. H & ors [Southwark] 2005

  Royal Mail Fraud

  Irshad Sheikh was Lead counsel in this Multi-handed mail dumping VHCC fraud –widely reported case involving a company that made millions of pounds by dumping letters and parcels that it was paid to deliver by Royal Mail. Among the 360,000 items that were binned were hospital blood test results, university acceptance letters and charity mail.

• R v. T [Woolwich] 2014

  Historic Sex Abuse

  Dominic Webber defended in this historic sexual assault by 12 year old girl on very young siblings, no evidence offered following skeleton argument arguing abuse of process because facts investigated at the time but not prosecuted. 

• R v. W [Canterbury] 2014

  Rape

  Dominic Webber successfully defended in this assault by penetration and other sexual offences of 10 year old girl by elderly relative who was cleared of all charges. 

• R v. B [Canterbury] 2015

  Importation of 18kg of Cocaine & 2kg of Heroin

  Dominic Webber defended this lorry driver who was cleared of all charges in respect of the importation of 2kg of heroin and 18kg of cocaine in holdall on an HGV trailer. 

• R v. K [Canterbury] 2015

  Sc18 Wounding

  Dominic Webber successfully defended this alleged sc18 wounding with intent, defence of self-defence, with the victim suffering multiple knife wounds. 

• R v. W [Inner London] 2016

  Sexual Assaults & Indecent Images

  Dominic Webber represented this defendant who was cleared of sexual abuse of a child and downloading indecent images.

• R v. S [Canterbury] 2016

  GBH

  Dominic Webber represented this undergraduate whom was cleared of a violent assault upon a fellow student.

• R v. C & ors [Kingston] 2016

  Post Office Fraud

  Pieter Briegel defended in this 8 week trial of a Post Office worker, accused with 5 others of a complex high value fraud against his employers. Instructed by Thomas Boyd Whyte.

• R v. B & ors [Basildon] 2014

  Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs

  Pieter Briegel led Danny Robinson in this 12 week drugs conspiracy trial in which an undercover Police officer was subjected to attack and had to jump from a first floor window to flee his assailants. Instructed by Thomas Boyd Whyte.

• R v. B I 2016

  Oral rape of an 8 year old boy

  Paul Jackson instructed to defend a male charged with the oral rape of an 8 year old boy. In this case the defendant’s grandmother became a foster carer and had an autistic 7 year old boy placed with her from 2009 to 2011. In 2014 the boy complained that he had been raped repeatedly by the defendant, who was then aged 14 and 15, during the placement. The case involved the cross-examination of the now 14 year old autistic complainant and analysis of a considerable amount of third party material. Defendant acquitted.

• R v. D [Inner London] 2016

  Historic Sexual Assaults

  Paul Jackson instructed as defence counsel to represent an 83 year old male charged with the indecent assault of five girls between 1970 and 1975. Following the close of the Crown's case, I applied to stay the indictment on the ground that the delay in the case prevented the defendant from receiving a fair trial and thus amounted to an abuse of process. That application was successful.

• R v. Miah [Bristol] 2016

  Conspiracy to supply class A drugs

  Paul Jackson represented a male accused of being the leader of a London based gang that supplied huge quantities of class A drugs to Swindon as part of a multi-handed conspiracy. This case centred around the close analysis of cell site evidence.

• R v. Coad [Maidstone] 2016

  Public Order Offence

  Paul Jackson represented a male accused of knocking unconscious another male in a drunken street brawl. The defendant asserted that he acted in self-defence only. The incident was captured on CCTV. Defendant acquitted.

• R v. Kulczycki [Maidstone] 2016

  Attempted Murder

  Paul Jackson represented a male with emotionally unstable personality disorder who was charged with attempted murder. Whilst driving his car the defendant mounted the pavement and ran over a male that he had previously been arguing with. Kent Online news report.

• R v. Porter [Maidstone] 2016

  Indecency with a child

  Paul Jackson represented a former Scout leader accused of indecency with a child 23 years previously. The Crown were able to call a second child as a corroborating eye witness. A key point in the trial was successfully arguing against the admission of the defendant's imprisonment in 2009 for 15 offences of making almost 2000 indecent images of children. Defendant acquitted. Kent Online news report.

• R v. James [St Albans] 2016

  Public Order Offence

  Paul Jackson represented a male accused of knocking unconscious another male in a drunken street brawl. The defendant asserted that he acted in self-defence only. The incident was captured on CCTV. Defendant acquitted.

• R v. W [Maidstone] 2016

  Historic Sexual Assaults

  Paul Jackson represented a male charged with 21 counts of indecent assault including the penetration of six complainants over a period of 30 years. The complainants included the defendant's daughter and two of his nieces.

• R v. N [Woolwich] 2015

  Child Rape

  Paul Jackson successfully defends a male charged with raping his granddaughter under the age of 13 on multiple occasions over a number of years. This case necessitated analysis of a considerable amount of 3rd party disclosure.

• R v. England [Lewes] 2015

  Rape of a female with physical disabilities

  Paul Jackson represented a male charged with the rape of a female friend with physical disabilities. The issue in this case was whether or not there had been any penetration

• R v. R [Maidstone] 2015

  Anal Rape of a 5 year old

  Paul Jackson successfully defended a 16 year old autistic male who was charged with the anal rape of his 5 year old cousin. The defendant's diagnosis was such that he was deemed to be unfit to stand trial but in the subsequent trial the jury found that it had not been proved that the act ever took place.

• R v. J [Maidstone] 2015

  Rape

  Paul Jackson represented a male who was charged along with his wife of the rape of her cousin. The allegation was that the complainant was introduced to sex by the co-defendant at a young age and then groomed by the defendant who raped her on multiple occasions.

• R v. D [Inner London] 2015

  Rape

  Paul Jackson represented a male charged with the rape of his cousin. The allegation was that the defendant raped his cousin whilst staying at her family home following a New Year's Eve party. The defendant denied that any sexual intercourse took place. Defendant found not guilty.

• R v. N [Maidstone] 2015

  Sexual Assault of a 4 year old

  Paul Jackson defended a male charged with the sexual assault of his four year old godson. This case involved the cross-examination of the (now aged) 5 year old complainant.

• R v. Capper [Maidstone] 2014

  Aggravated Burglary

  Paul Jackson represented a male charged with aggravated burglary, wounding with intent and possession of offensive weapons. The allegations were that the defendant carried out a revenge attack on a male in his home in the middle of the night as he had commenced a relationship with the defendant's ex-wife. A machete was used during the attack. Kent Online news report.

• R v. Langridge [Maidstone] 2014

  Benefit Fraud

  Paul Jackson successfully defends a female charged with substantial benefit fraud offences.

• R v. Collins [Maidstone] 2014

  Rape of an 8 year old girl

  Paul Jackson represented a male charged with arranging the rape of an 8 year old girl. The defendant responded to an advert placed on the internet offering a child for sex. The defendant then emailed and spoke to the child's mother over a period of weeks culminating in him travelling to Kent to rape the child. In fact, this was a Police sting operation, the child did not exist, all conversations had been recorded and the defendant was arrested en route. This case featured legal argument regarding abuse of process through entrapment.

  R v Collins (2015) 2 Cr.App.R.(S.)

• R v. O’Rahilly & ors [Southwark] 2014

  £1m Conspiracy to defraud the DWP

  Paul Jackson represented a male charged with conspiracy to defraud the DWP and various Boroughs of London between 04/05/88 and 16/04/14 of over £1million. The allegation was the defendant adopted numerous identities and then claimed benefits under those false identities for years.

• R v. Ford [Maidstone] 2014

  Inciting children under the age of sixteen to engage in sexual activity

  Paul Jackson represented a 25 year old male charged with multiple counts of causing or inciting twelve different children under the age of sixteen to engage in sexual activity. The allegation concerned the defendant, a highly qualified football coach, befriending the complainants on Facebook by pretending to be a sixteen year old female called Sarah Sawyer and then caused or incited sexual activity. The case focused heavily on digital forensic analysis. 

  Kent Online news report.

• R v. P [Kingston] 2014

  Historic Sexual Assaults

  Paul Jackson defended a 75 year old male charged with the indecent assault of his daughter between 1970 and 1976 (daughter then aged 4 - 9). The defendant denied the allegations. A key issue in this trial was the admissibility of a 2001 conviction for indecently assaulting his step-daughter between 1974 and 1983 when she was aged between 8 and 16 years.

• R v. Olson [Maidstone] 2014

  Murder.

  Paul Jackson defended a male charged with the murder of a former employer by shooting him at close range in the chest with a shotgun. 

  BBC news report.

• R v. Bailey [Snaresbrook] 2014

  GBH Sc18 on Brother

  Paul Jackson defended a male charged with causing his brother grievous bodily harm with intent. The defendant admitted causing injuries to his brother but only in lawful self-defence following an argument during which the complainant bit part of the defendant's nose off. Case dismissed at half-time.

• R v. Awoyemi & ors [Inner London] 2014

  Attempted Murder

  Paul Jackson represented a male charged with attempting to kill two males on two separate occasions. The allegation concerned gang activity and a firearm the defendant was found in possession of days after it had been used in a near fatal shooting. The first allegation was dismissed and the second was topped at half-time. In this case the admissibility of evidence of gang affiliation featured heavily.

  R v Awoyemi and others (2016) 4 W.L.R. 114

• R v. Rasalingham [Maidstone] 2013

  Immigration Offences

  Paul Jackson defended a male charged along with 6 others of conspiring to bring Sri Lankan nationals into the country. The defendant was stopped with three such aliens in the back of his van. This case involved investigations by British, French, German and Dutch Police departments. Case dismissed at half-time.

• R v. Haque [Snaresbrook & C.O.A.] 2013

  Harassment

  Paul Jackson defended a male charged with harassment, putting his own brother in fear of violence. The complainant was so discredited during cross-examination that the Crown offered no evidence declaring in explanation to the jury that "the complainant's credibility had been diminished to vanishing point". Not guilty verdict entered. The trial judge then imposed a post-acquittal restraining order under section 5A(1) of teh Protection from Harassment Act 1997 which was subsequently quashed by the Court of Appeal.

  R v Mohammed Emanul Haque (2014) EWCA Crim 832 and R v Mohammed Emanul Haque (2015) EWCA Crim 767.

• R v. Idehen [Woolwich] 2013

  Threats to Kill

  Paul Jackson instructed in a case involving a male detained in the secure unit of a mental hospital who threatened to kill members of the nursing staff.

• R v. John Davies &  [Maidstone] 2013

  GBH Sc18

  Paul Jackson defended a male charged jointly with three others of causing grievous bodily harm with intent by stamping on the complainant's head. A successful submission of no case was made at half-time based on the weakness of the identification evidence. Defendant acquitted. Instructed by Berry & Lamberts.

• R v. Carrington [Snaresbrook] 2013

  Cultivation of Cannabis

  Paul Jackson defended a male charged with the cultivation of cannabis in an out-building on his property. A light bulb inside that out-building was found to have the defendant's fingerprint on it. The defendant denied all knowledge of the cannabis. Defendant acquitted.

• R v. Qasim & anr [Snaresbrook] 2013

  Kidnap & Rape

  Paul Jackson defended a male charged with the kidnap and subsequent rape of a female. The allegation was that the defendant and another plied the complainant with drink, lured her to a shop and then, with the help of another, forcibly detained her and raped her. The defence case was one of consent. A key issue in the trial was expert evidence on the amount of alcohol the complainant consumed and both how that would have affected her and for how long. Defendant acquitted.

• R v. De-Castro [Inner London] 2013

  GBH Sc18

  Paul Jackson defended a male charged with causing serious bodily harm with intent. The allegation was that the defendant struck the complainant twice to the back of the head with a hammer. Whilst that was accepted, the defence asserted that it was done in both self-defence and the defence of others. Particularly key for the defence was persuading the trial judge that the Crown could not adduce the fact that the defendant had fled  the country and been on the run for 5 years. Defendant acquitted.

• R v. CO [Croydon] 2016

  PayPal Fraud

  Irshad Sheikh acted in this prosecution of a multi-million pound fraud on PayPal where the defendant played a leading role in an organised crime network perpetrating this substantial fraud. The defendant, with others, was able to compromise about two hundred PayPal customers’ accounts by gaining access to their security details, causing a multimillion pound loss to the company.

• R v. Abdelrahman [Blackfriars] 2012

  Theft

  Paul Jackson represented a male found with so many stolen electronic devices in a storage unit that he was dubbed by the Crown as "the modern day Fagan". Notwithstanding that the defendant was found not guilty by successfully relying on the defence of duress.

• R v. JS [C.C.C.] 2011

  Murder.

  Irshad Sheikh was lead counsel in case of murder and double attempted murder by asylum seeker. The case concerned the savage beating by the defendant of three men whilst they were in a drunken slumber in a sheltered area of a cemetery in Ilford. The violent attack resulted in the death of one and the others receiving severe, life-threatening injuries.

• R v. Beckett [Inner London] 2012

  Bouncer charged with GBH Sc18

  Paul Jackson successfully defended a male bouncer at the Hammers Pub charged with causing grievous bodily harm. This was a case of mistaken identification with the defence providing the Police with the name of the real attacker. That line of inquiry was inadequately pursued by them. Following legal argument at trial, the Crown were forced to hold an ID procedure at court during which the complainant identified the person named by defence as the perpetrator.

• R v. Caird & ors [Maidstone] 2012

  Kidnap and Rape

  Paul Jackson represented a male charged with kidnap. The allegation was that the defendant's cousin having falsely accused a male of raping her, the defendant and three others kidnapped and seriously assaulted him. In the trial, a co-defendant ran a cut-throat defence and so the trial involved the issues of the admissibility of previous acquittals and severance.

• R v. Nash [Maidstone] 2012

  GBH Sc18

  Paul Jackson successfully defended a male charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent. It was alleged that the defendants and two others jumped on the complainant's leg until it broke. The issues at trial included intoxication, identification and blood splatter evidence from an expert witness.

• R v. McElwaine [Woolwich] 2011

  Baby-shaking

  Paul Jackson successfully defended a mother charged with the cruel treatment of her own child; baby-shaking. The allegations centred around the finding that the baby had suffered bilateral chronic subdural haemorrhages at the hands of the babies father (co-defendant) and the trial issues included the rate of recovery and likely visible symptoms of those injuries.

• R v. Newell [Reading] 2011

  Possession of class A drugs with intent to supply

  Paul Jackson defended a male charged with possession of class A drugs with intent to supply. Some time before trial the defendant sacked his original solicitors and Counsel. At trial the defendant accepted possession of the drugs but denied having any intent to supply. The Crown were allowed by the trial judge to put to the defendant a response to a question in the PCMH form asking what were the real issues, his original barrister, had written "no possession". The Crown sought to cross-examine on that statement as being inconsistent with his defence and plea to possession. The resultant

  R v Alan Newell (2012) 1 W.L.R.3142 overturning the decision in R(on the application of Firth) v Epping Magistrates' Court (2011) 4 All.E.R.326

• R v. Swash [Snaresbrook] 2011

  Knife point sexual assaults

  Paul Jackson defended a male with severe learning difficulties charged with knife point sexual assaults in multiple women in isolated occasions late at night.

• R v. Caird [Maidstone] 2011

  Arson with intent to endanger life

  Paul Jackson defended a male charged with arson with intent to endanger life. The allegation was that the defendant's ex-partner witnessed the defendant throw a petrol at her living-room window whilst she was standing in it with their young child. This case involved many issues of law including the admissibility in the Crown Court of evidence produced for parallel family court proceedings. The defendant was acquitted.

   

• R v. Tear & ors [Reading] 2011

  Six-handed conspiracy to murder

  Paul Jackson instructed as a led junior in the defence of a male charged in a six-handed conspiracy to murder. In this case the defendants were alleged to have attempted a revenge attack on an individual by shooting a gun at his house several times. A significant part of the Crown's case was focused upon cell site analysis.

• Essex CC v. C & M 2013

  NAHI / Shaken Baby Case

  Andrew Collings represented the father in this “shaken baby case”.  Case involved extensive cross examination of experts called by the Local authority with regard to adverse reaction to 5 in 1 vaccinations. Judge described cross examination of Dr Richards, leading world Neurosurgeon ,by Mr Collings, as, “skilfully conducted.”

• R v. G [Maidstone] 2008

  Murder

  Andrew Collings was Lead by John Price QC for the Prosecution in this “Honour killing,” by Gravesend Indian community leader to avenge his sister’s infidelity.

• R v. C & ors [Croydon] 2009

  £3m "Hawala" Banking Fraud

  Andrew Collings was leading counsel for the defence in this long running and complex money laundering case involving the complexities of Hawala Banking as a purported defence to the £3,000,000 operation. Instructed by Alexander Johnson Solicitors.

• R v. K & ors [C.C.C.] 2010

  Murder.

  Andrew Collings was Lead by Ian Glen QC for the defence,in this  Murder trial involving a vendetta, drug related stabbing by gang of youths.

• R v. R [Canterbury] 2011

  Cold Case Historic Rape

  Andrew Collings was Prosecution counsel in this “cold case”,  historic rape.  Significant working knowledge of the scientific developments of DNA profiling.

• R v. E [Canterbury] 2013

  Cold Case Historic Rape

  Andrew Collings was successful in this prosecution of a prolific sexual offender working as a driving instructor in Kent. Eventually traced via, “cold case” DNA profiling.

• R v. J & ors [Snaresbrook] 2013

  Kidnap / False Imprisonment

  Andrew Collings Successfully defended the first defendant in this 6 week kidnap / false imprisonment trial .Complicated factual background to case involving, “turf war “of rival drug gangs. High profile press interest as third defendant related to international singer.

• R v. M & ors [Wood Green] 2013

  Conspiracies to Handle Stolen Goods

  Andrew Collings was Leading Junior for the defence in this significant conspiracy to handle stolen goods. Total value of the conspiracy 10.5 million pounds of BMW parts.

• R v. DC & ors [Birmingham] 2017

  Mortgage Frauds

  James Martin Trial and Retrial of allegations of large scale property frauds. Involved the intentional undervaluing of property in order to sell it on to others within the conspiracy at a discount. Case alleged a conspiracy between an inside man at Severn Trent Water and the other defendants. The property would be advertised and false bids were being submitted by others to enable a selling to one of the members of the conspiracy at a substantial discount. Instructed by Blackfords LLP.

• R v. Richards [Basildon] 2014

  GBH Sc18

  James Martin represented this defendant who was outside a nightclub when he was involved in an altercation with a man. As a result of his injuries he was in a coma for some time and nearly lost his life. He was left with life changing injuries and his prognosis was not good. On the night in question the defendant always maintained that he acted in self-defence and that the man he struck had been behaving aggressively earlier in the evening. Much turned on the evidence of a number of witnesses. The defendant was found not guilty by the Jury in a matter of minutes.

• R v. Gurklytre [Inner London] 2014

  Perverting the Course of Justice / Homicide

  James Martin represented this defendant who was the front seat passenger in her own car which was being driven by her partner. There was a fatal collision and two pedestrians were run over and were killed as they crossed the road. The car was then driven from the scene to a nearby carpark and set on fire. The Crown alleged that the defendant was party to the destruction of the car and was therefore guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice. A submission of No Case to answer was made at the conclusion of the Crown’s case, this was upheld by the Judge and the case was dismissed.

• R v. Gibney & ors [C.C.C.] 2014

  Kidnap & Blackmail

  James Martin was junior alone in this Multi-handed conspiracy to Kidnap and Blackmail. This case concerned the enforcement of a drugs debt. The principle defendant was a drugs dealer and the man kidnaped dealt for him. He had built up a significant debt and was taken from the street and held for most of the day. His family were contacted and demands for money were made. 

• R v. Collier [Croydon] 2014

  Fraud

  James Martin appeared for Mr Collier who ran a large scrap yard for many years and was the subject of multiple police operations. At one stage an undercover officer was even deployed to his yard to pose as someone selling stolen cabling. He was accused of processing large amounts of stolen metal including stolen grave plaques and high voltage cable.

• R v. BD & 6 ors [C.C.C.] 2014

  Murder

  James Martin was led by Stephen Kamlish QC in this Multi-handed conspiracy to murder at the CCC. The allegation was that an associate of BD was slashed a few months prior to the killing. The man responsible was said to have been located by BD and a gang was called in to kill him. However, the wrong man was killed in a brutal stabbing. The case was heavily reliant upon phone and cell site evidence. The case was resolved ultimately when the Crown were persuaded to accept pleas of guilty to a conspiracy to commit GBH.  

• R v. Flynn & 9 ors [Southwark] 2014

  Fraud

  James Martin was Junior alone in a 7 Handed conspiracy to commit fraud and launder the proceeds. The fraud was completed with the help of an ‘inside man’. Money was being diverted from the Royal Marsden hospital which specialises in cancer treatment. A network of individuals were used to filter the money once it had been diverted from within the Trust itself.

• R v. Dennard & ors [Maidstone] 2014

  Fraud

  James Martin was Junior alone in a multi-handed conspiracy to defraud a number of elderly householders and launder the proceeds. The case involves a number of victims over a considerable period. 

• R v. Saunders & ors [Guildford] 2014

  Fraud

  James Martin was Junior alone in a multi-handed conspiracy to defraud a number of elderly householders and launder the proceeds. The case involves a number of victims over a considerable period. 

• R v. Smith & ors [Guildford] 2014

  Fraud

  James Martin was Junior alone in a multi-handed conspiracy to defraud a number of elderly householders and launder the proceeds. The case involves a number of victims over a considerable period. Some of those victims have now dies and the Crown seek to rely upon their recorded testimony.

• R v. Hillier & ors [Croydon] 2014

  Fraud

  James Martin was Junior alone in a multi-million pound money laundering operation. Hillier was said to be the central figure in the setting up and running of a counting house through which organised crime gangs would launder vast quantities of cash. The case involved a large amount of telephone data and observation evidence.

• R v. W [Wood Green] 2014

  Rape

  James Martin represented this defendant who was alleged to have seduced a girl at a nightclub and invited her back to his flat where he was said to have raped her. Additional investigations into the CCTV at the nightclub proved important in undermining the complainant’s account. Defendant was found not guilty.

• R v. H & 6 ors [Winchester] 2013

  Conspiracy to Murder

  James Martin was Led by Tim Roberts QC in this Multi-handed conspiracy to commit Murder at Winchester CC. Allegation was that Mr Hallam was the prime mover in an organised hit on a woman he is said to have been having an affair with. The evidence came from substantial probe material, cell site and other telephone evidence. 

• R v. O’Reilly & ors [Reading] 2013

  Fraud

  James Martin was Junior alone in a multi-handed conspiracy to import and distribute multi-million pound loads of cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco. Evidence comes from substantial probe material in addition to undercover observations and seizures from warehouse found by HMRC.

• R v. P [Woolwich] 2013

  Rape of Step-Mother

  James Martin successfully represented this defendant who was charged with raping his step-mother. Both were admitted alcoholics and had had sexual intercourse after consuming a large amount of drink. The issue was consent. Defendant was found not guilty.

• R v. Folkes [Wood Green] 2013

  GBH Sc18

  James Martin represented this defendant, charged with kicking someone out of the top floor window of a double-decker bus in London. The man hit his head on the pavement as he fell from the moving bus and was paralysed. The defendant maintained that he was acting in self-defence as the man had attacked him and his girlfriend as they went to leave the bus. He maintained that he never intended to kick the man out of the window which gave way as the man fell into it. The defendant was found not guilty. 

• R v. F & ors [Maidstone] 2013

  Murder

  Jonathan Higgs QC led James Martin and successfully defended this allegation of Murder. Principle defendant accused of stabbing his partner in premeditated attack said to have been planned in advance and encouraged by the second defendant who hid in the boot of the car when victim was picked up by the first defendant. Issues in the case involved: Self defence, loss of control, secondary parties to Murder and joint enterprise.

• R v. JS & ors [Woolwich] 2013

  Kidnap & Robbery

  James Martin was Junior alone in a multi-handed case, lasting 9 weeks at Woolwich CC. Allegations involved separate conspiracies to commit armed robbery, kidnap of two men, false imprisonment of the two men and Blackmail.The offences dated back to 2008 and these charges came about as the result of an intensive investigation into the voluminous phone traffic picked up at the time between those convicted in the original trial. This evidence was supplemented by the observations from undercover. Central issues in the case involved challenges to both cell site evidence and expert opinion on facial mapping.

• R v. Pooke [Maidstone] 2012

  Conspiracy to commit Armed Robberies

  James Martin Led by Trevor Burke QC in this conspiracy to commit armed robberies from 2001. Defendant was the only man not caught up in the original operation which produced four trials. There are issues of Abuse of Process and other complex issues relating to potential ramifications of the evidence given by other defendants in the original trials.

• Operation Castle [Maidstone] 2012

  Fraud

  James Martin was junior alone in this Multi-handed case involving a conspiracy to steal high value cars to order. Gang were operating in Kent, targeting mainly BMW M3s, disabling the tracking devices and then breaking up the cars and selling on the parts. Involves allegations of money laundering associated with the disposal of the criminally obtained funds.

• R v. RB & ors [Maidstone] 2012

  Evasion of Duty

  James Martin was junior alone in this multi-handed conspiracy to import counterfeit cigarettes worth several million pounds. Successfully defended man accused of being involved in a conspiracy to import lorry full of cigarettes. Main defendant was accused of being the centre of plan to use his legitimate haulage company to run large imports of counterfeit cigarettes into the UK from Europe.

• Operation Vara 2012

  Fraud

  James Martin was a led junior, successfully defending a man over a 2 year period, accused of evasion of import Duty and VAT on Gold Jewellery. Over £8million evasion involving an international investigation which moved from the UK, to Europe, India and Dubai. This was a case involving a conspiracy to evade import duty and VAT payable on the importation of gold jewellery. In total over £8 million was said to have been evaded. Mr Martin was led in this case and represented a defendant accused of being one of the men responsible for importing the gold Jewellery from Dubai into Frankfurt. The fraud involved the handover of the gold to another member of the conspiracy who would then import into the UK passing off the import as intra-EU trade and therefore VAT exempt. Some of these activities were observed by a covert intelligence unit of the German Police. The case involved complex VAT legal questions as well as Jurisdictional issues.

• R v. Dos Santos & ors [Blackfriars] 2012

  Martin Hooper was leading counsel for the prosecution. This was an allegation of a large importation and conspiracy to distribute Crystal Meth. The trial lasted two months and resulted in convictions and sentences of up to 15 years. The case was referred to the Court of Appeal where the lord Chief Justice asked for the Crown to assist in sentencing guidelines. This is currently the leading authority on this topic. 

• R v. Rasalla & ors [Northampton] 2009

  Construction Fraud

  Martin Hooper was leading defence counsel in this building / construction fraud. As well as complex factual and technical issues there were substantial hearings about restraint of assets and confiscation proceedings.

• R v. McKenzie-Hewitt [C.C.C.] 2009

  Attempted Murder

  Martin Hooper was leading junior for a man accused of attempted murder by discharging a firearm in a crowded nightclub. The witnesses sought anonymity. This was the first case in the Country to apply the legislation implemented after R v Davis in the House of Lords

• R v. Flinders [Kingston] 2005

  Murder

  Martin Hooper was junior counsel in this murder involving diminished responsibility and self induced intoxication. This was one of the first cases to follow the change in the law by the House of Lords in Dietschmann

• R v. Pennells & ors [Winchester] 2005

  Conspiracies to Rob

  Martin Hooper was leading junior Counsel in this case involving allegations of large scale conspiracies to rob commercial premises of high value computer equipment. They involved challenging surveillance evidence including covert bugging, communication interception and PII issues. The trials lasted two and three months, both resulting in acquittals.

• R v. Geir & ors [Croydon] 2008

  VAT Fraud

  Martin Hooper successfully defended in this multi-handed and sophisticated VAT fraud which centred around ‘celebrity chefs’ such as Marco Pierre-white

• R v. Iain Davis [H.O.L.] 2008

  Landmark ruling on Anonymous Witnesses

  R v. Iain Davis [2008] UKHL 36

  Sue Rodham was led by Malcolm Swift QC at the House of Lords on this landmark ruling on the use of anonymous witnesses in Criminal trials. The original case involved a double-murder perpetrated by the use of a handgun. The sole and decisive evidence came by way of witnesses who had had their identities hidden from the defendant and their evidence came from behind screens with their voices distorted to avoid recognition. The House of Lords agreed that the defendant could not have a fair trial in these circumstances and that he was entitled to know who his accusers were.

• R v C & 8 ors [Snaresbrook] 2016

  Theft from Employer

  Aska Fujita represented the third of nine defendants charged with stealing a substantial amount of cash from their employer over the course of eight and a half years. Aska’s client was unanimously acquitted after a five-week trial. Instructed by Sternberg Reed.

• R v A & ors [Southwark] 2016

  Conspiracy to Import Medical Products

  Aska Fujita was instructed to represent the second defendant charged with conspiracy to import medical products without a licence. The Crown eventually offered no evidence and the defendant was acquitted.  Instructed by Sternberg Reed.

• R v H [Hull] 2016

  Evasion of Duty

  Aska Fujita represented a lorry driver charged with fraudulently evading over £200,000 of duty on tobacco. Following a guilty plea and mitigation, a sentence of 12 months was imposed.  Instructed by Sternberg Reed.

• Appeal of P [C.O.A.] 2015

  Sexual Assault

  Aska Fujita represented the appellant who had severe learning difficulties and mental health issues, and had been sentenced to an extended sentence comprising a four year custodial period and two year extended licence for sexual assault. The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal, reducing the custodial period to two years and eight months. The judgment is reported here (subscription required) under neutral citation [2015] EWCA Crim 1901. The Court of Appeal commended Aska for the “eloquence of her submissions”.  Instructed by GT Stewart.

• 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. 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. 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. 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.

• 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.

• Thames Valley Police v. S & ors [Disciplinary Tribunal] 2010

  Police Misconduct

  Robert Ellison represented an officer in Police misconduct proceedings at a 2 week discipline hearing invovling four officers charged with breaches of the Discipline Code involving Dishonesty and bringing the service into disrepute. The allegations were that officers were taking and supplying Class 'A' drugs. The officer was cleared of all charges.

• R v. V & ors [Southwark] 2011

  Boiler Room Fraud

  Robert Ellison defended in this "Boiler Room" high pressure, share-pushing operation from call centres in Spain. Around 1,250 investors in the UK were persuaded to buy over £7 million worth of shares. Using their "Gordon Gekko" contract notes to complete the transactions. POCA proceedings involved assets totalling £4.5m.

• R v. Iqbal & 18 ors [Southwark] 2014

  Banking & Credit Fraud

  Robert Ellison led Jonathan Polnay for the Prosecution in this 19 defendant Credit and banking fraud with many thousands of pages of served and unused evidence. A conspiracy to defraud creditors and ‘Acquiring Companies’ by abusing technical weaknesses in the ‘chip and PIN’ payment process.  The fraud was so complex that the trial judge described the methodology and money laundering as an ‘impenetrable scheme’.

• Operation Slate [Wood Green] 2016

  Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs

  Catherine Pattison led Dickon Reid in this case case involving ten defendants charged with supplying large quantities of heroin across North London.

• Operation Sifiye [Snaresbrook] 2016

  Conspiracy to import cocaine

  Catherine Pattison led Dickon Reid in this case involving thirteen defendants charged with conspiring to import large quantities of cocaine secreted in golf clubs and golf bags. Two trials involving complicated telephone evidence lasted a total of five and a half months in 2015-2016.

• R v. J & ors [Isleworth] 2016

  Supply of Firearms & Ammunition

  Robert Ellison led Dickon Reid in this case involving four defendants charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of cannabis with intent to supply and with the supply of firearms and ammunition. The defendants were accused of robbing drug dealers at gunpoint of cash and drugs. 

• R v. M & ors [Snaresbrook] 2016

  Conspiracies to Rob

  Dickon Reid was led by Peter Clement in this case involving six defendants charged with conspiracy to rob. The defendants were part of a group responsible for a number of robberies in East London during which victims were attacked with a baseball bat.

• Operation Crow [Maidstone] 2015

  Conspiracy to import cocaine

  Ben Temple led Dickon Reid in this case involving fourteen defendants charged with conspiracy to import cocaine, amphetamine and cannabis into the United Kingdom. 

• R v. B & ors [Winchester] 2011

  Conspiracy to Murder

  Mark Heywood QC led Dickon Reid for a defendant cleared of his involvement in a five-handed conspiracy to murder case in which the defendants were accused of carrying out a series of vigilante attacks over a two-week period. Instructed by Blackfords LLP. 

• R v. M & anr [C.C.C.] 2010

  Murder

  Sarah Forshaw QC led Dickon Reid Four-week murder trial at the Central Criminal Court in which the defendant was accused of murdering his ex-wife. 

• R v. Buchler [Isleworth] 2016

  Assault in 'Harrods' Food Hall

  Jeffrey Israel, led by Jonathan Goldberg QC, represented David Buchler, the former vice-chairman of Tottenham Hotspur FC who was accused of breaking a shopper’s nose in Harrods in a row over a croissant.

  Daily Mail report here.

• R v. S & ors [Snaresbrook] 2016

  Firearms

  Jeffrey Israel was defence Counsel in this 3 month guns and ammunition conspiracy. 

• R v. TN [Guildford] 2016

  Multiple Date Rape Allegations

  Jeffrey Israel defended in this case involving Multiple Date Rape Allegations.

• R v. X [Leamington Spa] 2016

  Speeding

  Jeffrey Israel defended a well-known football manager and television and radio pundit for speeding.

• R v. TG [Manchester] 2015

  Historic Sex Abuse

  Jeffrey Israel defended a highly respected teacher who was charged with multiple historic sexual offences against a number of victims – a widely reported ground-breaking case in the ultra-orthodox Jewish community where complainants historically had not gone to the police.

• R v. RS & ors [Snaresbrook] 2015

  Firearms & Drugs Conspiracies

  Jeffrey Israel defended in a number of linked trials that involve allegations of conspiracy to transfer guns and ammunition, as well as vast quantities of cocaine and heroin. Much of the evidence revolves around telephone schedules.

• R v RW & ors [Bristol] 2014

  £20m Conspiracy to Supply Heroin

  Jeffrey Israel represented the main defendant in one of the largest ever UK conspiracies to supply heroin (80kgs) worth £20m.

• R v. TB & ors [Isleworth] 2014

  Aggravated Burglaries

  Jeffrey Israel represented the first defendant in a case involving a series of targeted aggravated burglaries in which the victims were woken in the middle of the night at gunpoint and their infant children threatened at knifepoint before being tied up and the properties ransacked.

• R v. AM [Snaresbrook] 2013

  Murder

  Jeffrey Israel, led by Ian Glen QC defended a lorry driver accused of the brutal murder of a colleague following a drunken argument.

• R v. DT & ors [Bristol] 2013

  Conspiracy to import cocaine

  Jeffrey Israel defended in a large-scale nationwide cocaine conspiracy involving 11 defendants. The evidence comprised of telephone data from over 100 telephones and extensive covert surveillance.

• R v. PG & anr [C.C.C.] 2012

  Murder

  Jeffrey Israel defended the mother of a paranoid schizophrenic who randomly attacked and murdered a man in broad daylight. Jeffrey’s client was accused of assisting him by hiding him, disguising him, and helping him try to flee the UK.

• R v. AH [Wood Green] 2012

  Date Rape

  Jeffrey Israel represented an international footballer who was accused of ‘date-rape’

• R v. DV & anr [C.C.C.] 2012

  Murder

  Sarah Forshaw QC led Jeffrey Israel defending a man accused of the murder of ‘the tattooed man’ whose identity was unknown for months. The background involved a ‘turf war’ over the supply of crystal-meth.

• R v. AN [C.C.C.] 2011

  Attempted Murder & Armed Robbery

  Jeffrey Israel defended a man accused of shooting a police officer whilst fleeing from the scene having committed a violent armed robbery. The case turned on forensic evidence, particularly DNA and firearm residue  

• R v. JB & ors [Croydon] 2011

  People Trafficking

  Jeffrey Israel represented a man accused of trafficking over 50 women from Eastern Europe under false pretences and forcing them to work as prostitutes.

• Herts CC v B [Watford] 2014

  Care Proceedings

  Hannah Wyatt represented a mother with severe learning difficulties, requiring an intermediary, in care proceedings.  Her previous child had been subject to a Placement Order in 2013. Successfully contested an ICO; the child, having been removed at birth, was returned to the mother’s care in a mother and baby foster placement.

• R v. RP & 11 ors [Manchester] 2010

  Firearms

  Jeffrey Israel defended a young defendant (15) who was accused along with 12 others of conspiring to supply over 100 prohibited firearms including machine-guns and hand grenades between criminal gangs up and down the country. Enormous amounts of telephone evidence, surveillance evidence, CCTV, and complex ‘low copy’ DNA evidence.

• R v. JR & ors [Croydon 2009

  Manslaughter

  Jeffrey Israel defended in a Manslaughter of a football fan following a large-scale violent disorder between Charlton Athletic and Tottenham Hotspur fans following a pre-season friendly.

• R v. TM [Snaresbrook] 2009

  Stranger Rape

  Jeffrey Israel defended in this stranger rape of an 18 year-old virgin by a man hiding in the bushes who was accused of violently attacking and then raping her just yards from her front door.

• LB of Croydon v M 2013

  High Court Care Proceedings

  Hannah Wyatt represented a father who had been convicted of manslaughter of his ex-partner, the mother of his child.

• R v KK & Ors [Portsmouth CC] 2014

  Conspiracy to Supply

  Chris Sutton-Mattocks led Hannah Wyatt in the defense of a senior member of a 10 handed conspiracy to supply cocaine worth over £600,000, during an 8 week trial

• R v. LP [Woolwich] 2016

  GBH Sc18

  Sam Bonner represented this defendant charged with s18 on ex-partner by breaking her jaw in three places. A plea was accepted to ABH after negotiation with the Crown.

• R v. S [Snaresbrook] 2016

  GBH Sc18

  Sam Bonner successfully represented the defendant who was charged along with other offences of causing grievous bodily harm to the complainant who suffered a fractured and dislocated shoulder. The charge of GBH was concluded after a successful no case submission and the defendant was unanimously acquitted on all other charges at the end of the trial.

• R v. A [C.C.C.] 2016

  ABH

  Sam Bonner successfully represented the defendant at the Central Criminal Court who was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm by pouring boiling water on the alleged victim.

• R v. W [Maidstone] 2016

  Sexual Assault

  Sam Bonner defended in this case involving sexual assault where both the complainant and defendant suffered from serious mental health issues. After meticulous preparation of the case, the prosecution offered no evidence before trial.

• R v. H & G [Snaresbrook] 2016

  Child Cruelty

  Robert Ellison successfully prosecuted this child cruelty case involving the sadistic torture of an infant. Issues included the admissibility of psychological evidence about the mother of the child.

• Thames Valley Police v. R & anr 2016

  Police Misconduct

  Robert Ellison defended an officer in this Thames Valley police misconduct case.  Issues included breach of confidentiality and Data Protection regulation. Co-defending with Queen's Counsel, his client was cleared of any wrongdoing. Instructed by Cartwright King.

• W v. Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime 2015

  Appeal against the forfeiture of police pension rights

  Robert Ellison acted for an officer in his appeal against the forfeiture of police pension rights.  The appellant was involved in the ‘Plebgate Scandal’.

• D v. Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime 2015

  Appeal against the forfeiture of police pension rights

  Robert Ellison acted for this senior police officer In a referral to the Criminal Cases Review Commission and an appeal against the forfeiture of police pension rights.  The appellant was the most senior police officer prosecuted for over thirty years.

• R v. Reza & 5 ors [Southwark] 2015

  DWP Fraud

  Robert Ellison defended in this complex and substantial benefit fraud based on over 16,000 pages of evidence.  The client was profoundly deaf and without speech.

• R v. James [Isleworth] 2015

  HIV Transmission case

  Robert Ellison defended in an HIV Transmission case with multiple victims.  Issues included legal argument on the extent of ‘knowledge’ required before a complainant could be said to be ‘consenting’ to the risk of infection

• R v. Cisse & 5 ors [Croydon] 2014

  Conspiracies to commit armed robberies

  Robert Ellison acted as leading junior. A conspiracy to commit armed robberies.  Issues included complex circumstantial evidence based upon telephone data and data from vehicle security tracking systems.

• R v. Kendrick [Luton] 2014

  Rape

  Robert Ellison defended in this Rape of a 12 year old girl. The case required a lengthy cross-examination of the young complainant who had learning difficulties.

• R v. Armel Gnango [Supreme Court] 2011 UKSC 59 2011

  Appeal re: joint enterprise / transferred malice

  Mark Heywood QC along with Brian Altman QC represented the Crown before the Supreme Court on this leading authority regarding joint enterprise / transferred malice. The Supreme Court held, restoring Gnango's conviction for the murder of Magda Pniewska, that he was guilty of murder notwithstanding the fact that he had not fired the shot which killed Pniewska during the shoot out which led to her death, and that the fatal shot had been fired by his opponent in an attempt to kill him.

• R v. Philpott & ors [Nottingham] 2013

  "Derby" fire case

  Anthony Orchard QC defended Michael Philpott, accused of starting the fire that led to the deaths of six of his seventeen children in his Derby home in May 2012. The case attracted massive media coverage. Issues dealt with included previous allegations of historic sexual assault and abuse; the defendant’s previous convictions for assault and attempted murder; his detailed background history; other historic character issues, mobile phone linkage and the admissibility of surveillance evidence

• R v. Badran [Wood Green] 2016

  Sexual Assaults

  Anthony Orchard QC prosecuted this child rapist who committed a string of horrifying attacks upon children aged between 10 and 12, just months afre being released from prison having been convicted of raping a 9 year old girl.

  Daily Express Report here.

• R v. Edwards [C.C.C.] 2016

  Murder

  Anthony Orchard QC led Ben Temple for the Crown in this matter where the defendant had strangled her mother. The defendant had a history of psychiatric illness, with violence to family members, dating back to 1991. Three psychiatrists were of the opinion she suffered from schizoaffective disorder. 

  Evening Standard report here.

• R v. Aidid & ors [C.C.C.] 2016

  Murder

  Anthony Orchard QC led Ben Temple in this prosecution of 3 women who beat a 21 year old women to death in North London.

  Evening Standard report here. 

• R v. De Silva [C.C.C.] 2016

  Murder

  Anthony Orchard QC led Ben Temple for the prosecution in this revenge murder by shooting after an altercation in Wembley, North London.

  Evening Standard report here.

• R v. Mazikhana [Southwark] 2015

  Murder

  Anthony Orchard QC prosecuted this defendant for the brutal murder by stabbing of his wife.

  Evening Standar report here.

• R v. Al-Bassam & ors [Southwark] 2013

  Lulszec Hacking trial

  Anthony Orchard QC defended in this complex conspiracy to commit cyber attacks on organisations such as Sony,EA sports, News International and the Serious and Organised Crime Agency. Mr Orchard's client was the only to receive a non-custodial sentence.

  BBC report here.

• R v. B & anr [C.C.C.] 2015

  Murder

  Anthony Orchard QC defended this 18 year old youth whom was acquitted following a half time submission, in this knife attack joint enterprise murder.

  Guardian report here.

• R v. Osolase [Canterbury] 2013

  Human Trafficking

  Anthony Orchard QC was defence Counsel in this trial involving allegations of human trafficking, rape, sexual assaults and ritual assault (voodoo) relating to young girls trafficked from Nigeria via the UK to Europe. Issues dealt with included admissibility of overseas evidence; mobile telephone and cell site analysis; issues of character (defendant and witnesses); extensive video testimony and alleged organized ritual assault said to be used as a control mechanism.

• R v. D & ors 2012

  £58 million VAT Diversion fraud

  Anthony Orchard QC defended in this complex and long running multi-handed conspiracy against HMRC.

• R v. H & ors 2012

  £38m International Carbon Trading VAT fraud.

  Anthony Orchard QC defended in this £38 million international carbon Trading VAT fraud. 

• R v. Salami & ors [Southwark] 2011

  "o2" Mobile Phone Fraud

  Anthony Orchard QC defended in this £4 million international mobile phone fraud perpertrated upon O2.

• Operation Slick [Southwark] 2011

  £27m Boiler Room Fraud

  Anthony Orchard QC defended in this £27 million boiler room fraud.

• R v. Roope & ors [Worcester] 2010

  £2m Investment Fraud

  Anthony Orchard QC defended in this £2m SFO investment scam. 

• R v. Orhon [Kingston] 2016

  Multiple attempted murders

  Jonathan Polnay prosecuted this "disturbed loner" who randomly attacked four women during a stabbing spree in a supermarket car park in Hampton Court as revenge for his perceived mistreatment by police. 

  News Report here.

• R v. Denning [Southwark] 2016

  Historic Sexual Abuse by former Radio 1 DJ

  Jonathan Polnay prosecuted this former BBC DJ whom was jailed for 13 years for a series of child sex offences committed between 1969 and 1986.

  BBC News report here 

• R v. Patel [Southwark] 2014

  First ever prosecution for Acquiring Biological Weapons

  Jonathan Polnay prosecuted this young women who was charged with the first ever prosecution under the Biological Weapons Act and attempted murder of her mother, after attempting to poison her, taking her inspiration from the series "Breaking Bad".

  News report here.

• R v. Oorloff & Dickinson [Guildford] 2016

  £2m 'Rare Earth Metal' Fraud

  Jonathan Polnay led Ben Holt in this “boiler room” rare earth metals fraud. Both Defendants were convicted after trial of selling worthless Rare Earth Metals as part of an investment. The total value of the scam was £1.9m. Both defendants were convicted and sentenced to a total of 11 years’ imprisonment. Instructed by CPS Headquarters Central Fraud Group.

  News report here.

• R v. Shaibu & Nelson [C.C.C.] 2015

  Discharge of automatic weapons at PCSO

  Jonathan Polnay prosecuted this two handed trial at the Old Bailey involving a proposed revenge attack to seek retribution on a group they believed was responsible for assaulting one of their gang associates armed with a submachine gun. A PCSO who heard the altercation intervened and was shot at but was unhurt. The defendants were jailed for 24 years & 12 years. 

  News report here.

• R v. Coe [Southwark] 2016

  ‘Anjem Choudary’ associate

  Jonathan Polnay prosecuted this notorious associate of Anjem Choudhary for assaulting teenage muslim children who he saw holding hands.

  Press report here.

• R v. Newman [C.C.C.] 2016

  Fatal Stabbing

  Sarah Forshaw QC successfully defended an 18 year old man who was cleared of murder and manslaughter following the fatal stabbing of a 20 year old man in Thornton Heath, the jury accepting he acted in self-defence. Instructed by MK Law.

  News report here.

• R v. MSA & ors [Croydon] 2016

  Conspiracy to Supply Firearms

  Sue Rodham successfully represented this defendant whom was cleared of any involvement in trading firearms after detectives uncovered their stash of hand guns, 300 ammunition rounds, thousands of bullet casings and a bomb-making manual. Instructed by Goldkorns.

• R v. Weise [Canterbury] 2016

  Importation of 42 kilos Class A drugs

  Sue Rodham defended this German National whom was acquitted by the jury for his alleged role in the importation of 42 kilos of class A drugs through the "EuroTunnel" port in Kent. Instructed by Sternberg Reed Solicitors.

• R v. Smilginis [Snaresbrook & C.O.A.] EWCA Crim 550 2016

  Rape & Appeal Re: Inconsistent Verdicts

  Sue Rodham defended in this multiple rape allegation trial, which subsequently went to the Appeal Court, and is now a guideline case involving inconsistent verdicts. Instructed by Thomas Boyd Whyte.

• R v. MN & ors [Wood Green] 2015

  Gangland stabbing

  Catherine Farrelly led Valeria Swift instructed by the prosecution, in this 6 handed conspiracy to commit GBH, which included a premeditated attack on another youth, his stab wounds close to his heart which were very nearly life ending. This case required expert analysis of telephone evidence which equated to over 20,000 pages. Defendants convicted of conspiracy.

  News report here.

• R v. DW [Woolwich] 2014

  Sexual assault

  Valeria Swift instructed to defend a man charged with a sexually motivated section 18 attack committed on lone female at night. If convicted, the defendant would have been at risk of a sentence for public protection due to an previous conviction for sexual assault on a woman in the woods (which was admitted in evidence). Defendant found not guilty of section 18 but guilty of section 20 thereby avoiding a sentence of public protection.

• R v PO [Inner London] 2015

  Violence

  Valeria Swift instructed to defend a pilot with mental health issues accused of violent behaviour whilst armed with a knife. Defendant found not guilty.

• R v. ED [Woolwich] 2016

  Rape

  Valeria Swift instrusted to defend a grandfather accused of raping his granddaughter. Defendant found not guilty.

• R v. MC [Woolwich] 2016

  Sexual assault

  Valeria Swift instructed to represent a step-father accused of sexually assaulting his step-daughter. Defendant found not guilty.

• R v. VK [C.C.C.] 2016

  High profile sexual assault

  Valeria Swift prosecuted this high profile case where the defendant was charged with sexual assault on a co-worker at a top International law firm during an office party. Defendant found guilty.

• Inquest into the Death of Francesca Cappucini 2017

  Inquest of young mother following emergency c-section

  Christopher Sutton-Mattocks acts as Counsel to the inquiry, at the inquest into the tragic death of a young Kent mother of two whom died following an emergency caesarian section following the birth of her second child. Mrs Cappucini died after 8 hours after the birth of her son, after losing litres of blood, surgeons having made the fatal error of leaving a large piece of placenta in the uterine cavity.

  News report here.

• R v. RM [Woolwich] 2016

  Incest rape

  Valeria Swift instructed to represent a brother accused of raping his sister. Defendant found not guilty.

• R v. TB [Isleworth] 2016

  Child grooming

  Valeria Swift instructed to prosecute a woman accused of grooming and sexually abusing teenage girl. Defendant convicted.

• R v. WM [Snaresbrook] 2016

  Rape

  Valeria Swift prosecuted a cold case of several stranger rapes in 1990. Defendant convicted.

• R v. JW [Wood Green] 2015

  Gang rape

  Valeria Swift instructed by the defence in a multi-handed gang rape trial lasting several months. Defendant found not guilty.

• XYZ v. Chief Constable of Gwent Constabulary: [2014] EWHC 1448 (QB) 2014

  Misfeasance in a public office

  Stephen Chippeck represented claimant in a claim of misfeasance in a public office brought by a police informer who was a Fathers4Justice campaigner arrested in possession of bullets and gunpowder.

• PBD v. Chief Constable of Greater Manchester [2013] EWHC 3559 2013

  Breach of Contract

  Stephen Chippeck represented Claimants on the witness protection programme in their claim for breach of contract against Greater Manchester Police.

• West Midlands Police v. Lorenzo CA [2012] EWCA Civ 1863 2013

  Civil action against the Police

  Stephen Chippeck represented Claimant in jury action where several police officers were found by a jury to have carried out a racist attack on a Rastafarian citizen. Decision upheld in the Court of Appeal.

• ABC, JKL & XYZ v. A Chief Constable (QB Div; 13 Sep 2012) 2012

  Breach of Contract

  Stephen Chippeck represented Claimants in action for damages for breach of contract and negligence who had been part of the force’s witness protection programme.

• Hussain v. Chief Constable of West Mercia Constabulary [2008] EWC Civ 1205, [2008] WLR (D) 342 2008

  Misfeasance in a public office

  Stephen Chippeck represented the Claimant before the Master of the Rolls - what constitutes psychiatric or physical injury for the purposes of misfeasance in public office.

• JG ( A child) v. LSC, Law Society & Secretary of State for Justice [2013] 2 FLR 1174 , [2013] Fam Law 1125 (Ryder J) 2013

  Judicial Review

  Stephen Chippeck represented the applicant concerning the obligations of the Legal Services Commission to fully fund the costs of a single joint expert report ordered in proceedings under the Children Act 1989 in circumstances where the child had a public funding certificate but the parents did not.

• JG (Appellant) v. Lord Chancellor & Law Society [2014] 2 FLR 1218, [2014] 3 FCR 567, [2014] HRLR 18, [2014] Fam Law 1097 2014

  Judicial Review

  Stephen Chippeck acted for the appellant reversing  Ryder J.  A decision by the LSC not to fully fund the costs of a joint expert report ordered in private law proceedings under the Children Act 1989 , where the child had a public funding certificate but her parents did not was unlawful.

• Tinsa v. GMC [2008] All ER D 140 2008

  Judicial Review

  Stephen Chippeck represented a doctor on his appeal against the decision of the GMC to erase him from the medical register.

• Medway Council v. X 2016

  Care Proceedings

  Stephen Chippeck leading Lizzie Wilson representing a learning and physically disabled mother who was alleged to have made up false rape allegations and child cruelty allegations against F. Following the hearing the allegations against her found to be false and her allegations against F found to be true and her child ordered to remain with her.

• Medway Council v. B 2016

  Father accused of NAHI to baby

  Stephen Chippeck representing learning disabled father with Paul Storey QC. F alleged to have caused serious head injury to baby. After the hearing F found not to be responsible for any injury.

• Kent County Council v. Y 2016

  Father alleged to have caused NAHI to 9 day old baby

  Stephen Chippeck representing young father alleged to have caused serious non- accidental injuries to his 9 day old baby.

• Medway Council v A & Ors [2015] EWFC B66 2015

  "Shaken Baby Case"

  Stephen Chippeck represented a learning disabled mother where allegations of shaking were found to be false and the baby was returned to her.

• Kent CC v D & Ors [2015] EWFC 96 2015

  Child Trafficking case

  Kent CC v D & Ors [2014] EWFC 59

  Kent CC v D & Ors (2) (Fact Finding) [2015] EWFC 93

  Kent CC v D & Ors (3) (Application for Re–hearing) [2015]  EWFC 94

  Kent CC v D & Ors (5) (Re- hearing) [2015] EWFC 96

  Series of High Court hearings where Stephen Chippeck with Paul Storey QC represented a mother alleged to have been involved in complex child trafficking where the allegations were found to be false after a re-hearing

• London Borough of Barnet v M/F [2014] EWFC B152 2014

  Wardship / inherent jurisdiction proceedings

  Stephen Chippeck representing a mother in wardship / inherent jurisdiction proceedings. 

• Medway Council v W [2015] EWFC B234 2015

  Father alleged to have sexually abused his children

  Medway Council v W (Fact Finding: Familial Sexual Abuse allegations and Local Authorities Approach) [2014] EWFC B 190

  Medway Council v W (2) (Welfare Hearing) [2015] EWFC B233

  Medway Council v W (3) (Further Fact Finding re Further Allegations) [2015] EWFC B234

  Series of cases where Stephen Chippeck represented a father alleged to have sexually abused his children. Following the hearing the allegations were found to be false

• Hertfordshire CC v. F [2014] EWHC 2159 2014

  Care Proceedings

  Stephen Chippeck representing mother with very significant learning disabilities. 

• Re: B (Children) [2012] EWCA Civ 1275 2012

  Immediate removal of Children

  Stephen Chippeck represented M, dealing with when the immediate removal of children from their mother’s care is necessary and proportionate at an interim stage.

• R v. MA [Inner London] 2015

  Rape of infant child

  Valeria Swift defended this rape of an infant child by father and indecent images – case investigated by the FBI and defendant arrested in UK as a result of multi-agency cooperation. Legal submissions successfully made to exclude the evidence obtained by the FBI – this led to further submissions relating to insufficiency of evidence. Defendant found not guilty.

• R v. TS [Snaresbrook] 2015

  Historic rape

  Valeria Swift defended this matter of multiple allegations of historic rape. The case required sensitive cross-examination of a highly vulnerable victim. Defendant found not guilty.

• R v. TA [Aylesbury] 2015

  Rape

  Valeria Swift defended this rape case where the victim sustained over 20 injuries during the course of the alleged assault. Defendant found not guilty of rape.

• R v. CH [Wood Green] 2015

  Child cruelty involving infant fatality

  Valeria Swift defended this allegation of child cruelty involving infant fatality. Mother arrested in connection with death of her baby. Careful consideration had to be given to pathology evidence in order to negotiate best outcome for the defendant with the prosecution. Defendant pleaded guilty on an extremely limited basis which led to her being released from custody immediately.

• R v. PM [Woolwich] 2015

  Child cruelty

  Valeria Swift prosecuted this cruelty of father on his young son. The case required very sensitive examination of the vulnerable victim. Defendant found guilty.

• R v. JK [Wood Green] 2009

  Conspiracy to supply drugs

  Valeria Swift instructed as defence junior in this conspiracy to supply drugs. Represented only defendant to be found not guilty in very long trial. Successful result contingent on careful analysis of telephone evidence and extensive intrusive surveillance authorised under RIPA.

• R v. Chandler [C.C.C.] 2017

  Serial Rapist

  Jonathan Polnay prosecuted this defendant, dubbed one of Britain's worst sex offenders, who was sentenced to a further 3 life sentences for rapes committed over 30 years ago.

  News report here.

• R v. R [Croydon] 2017

  Alleged Rape of married woman

  Sarah Forshaw QC, successfully represented a 39 year old father of two whom was cleared of raping a married woman after walking her home. A jury acquitted the defendant of four counts – sexual assault, rape and two counts of attempted rape. Instructed by ABV Solicitors.

  News Report here.

• R v. Alasow [Snaresbrook] 2015

  Possession of loaded firearm with intent

  Catherine Farrelly was instructed in this Prosecution of a defendant who was charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of ammunition. He had been stopped by police shortly after climbing over garden fences in east London and then disposing of a loaded firearm, fitted with a “silencer”. The case involved protracted legal argument over the admissibility of DNA and GSR expert evidence, all of which was ruled admissible.

  News Report here.

• R v. Castano & ors [Snaresbrook] 2015

  Supply of Cocaine

  Catherine Farrelly was instructed for Prosecution in this cases involving four defendants in relation to the supply of 1 kilogram of cocaine with an estimated street value of £100,000.

• R v. Beveridge [I.L.C.C.] 2016

  Historic Sexual Assaults

  Catherine Farrelly led Paul Jackson in the prosecution of a defendant who, over the course of a number of years, had sexually abused five very young children who suffered from various learning disabilities. The case involved the review of a significant amount of social services and educational material and close liaison with the appointed intermediary. The defendant was sentenced to 22 years’ imprisonment with an extended licence of 6 years.

• R v. Leppard [Maidstone] 2016

  Rape

  Catherine Farrelly was instructed in the defence a young man charged with two counts of rape.

  News Report here.

• R v. N.A. [Snaresbrook] 2016

  Rape of daughter

  Catherine Farrelly was instructed for the Prosecution of a defendant who had raped his daughter from the ages of 13 to 15 years, using sex toys and other implements during the course of the abuse. The case involved very sensitive handling of the complainant. The defendant was subsequently sentenced to 20 years’imprisonment.

• R v. Rahman [Snaresbrook] 2016

  Rape & Kidnap of 15 year old girl

  Catherine Farrelly was instructed for the Prosecution of a defendant who kidnapped a 15 year old girl off the street and then repeatedly raped her.

• R v. MB & ors [Croydon] 2017

  Cash in Transit Robberies

  Gordon Carse defended in this multi-handed conspiracy to commit cash in transit robberies. The defendant and his team were alleged to be responsible for all cash in transit robberies in the South East of England in the first half of 2016. Following halftime submissions verdicts of not guilty were directed by the Learned Judge. Instructed by Goldkorns.

• R v. B [Lewes] 2016

  Male Rape

  Gordon Carse, instructed for the defence, represented this defendant who had raped a vulnerable male when interviewing him for a job and sexually abused and raped him on further occasions over a four year period. The defendant pleaded guilty on the day of trial and a sentence of 3 1/2 years imprisonment was secured. Instructed by Martyn Hewett Solicitors. 

• R v. Dobby [C.C.C.] 2017

  Drug user admits manslaughter after two killed in Penge car chase

  Anthony Orchard QC leading Jonathan Polnay appeared for the Crown in this case involving the death of an aunt and 10 year old nephew killed by a drug user during a car chase with Police. The defendant was sentenced to 12 years.

  News report here.

• R v. SK [Reading] 2017

  Rape of Common Law Wife

  Anthony Orchard QC successfully represented this defendant whom was cleared of all charges of allegedly drugging and raping his common law wife. Instructed by BCL Solicitors LLP.

• Operation Linear [Nottingham] 2016

  Rape and human trafficking

  Prosecution by Queen’s Counsel of 23 defendants charged on an 80 count indictment. Orla Daly acted unled in defence of the second defendant, a 17 year old facing allegations including rape and human trafficking. Successful abuse of process application was appealed by the prosecution. Continued to act in the Court of Appeal where the Crown Court judge’s ruling was upheld in all but one respect. Complex case involving issues of capacity and consent as well as abuse of process. Now a leading case on indecent images: R v W (P) & others (2016) 2 Cr App. R. 27. Instructed by EBR Attridge LLP.

• R v. Sykes [C.C.C.] 2016

  Murder of a pensioner

  Sarah Forshaw QC led Orla Daly for the defence in a case prosecuted by Queen’s Counsel and Treasury Counsel. The case related to the death of a pensioner bludgeoned to death by a defendant with learning difficulties. Issues of diminished responsibility and assisted suicide. Instructed by Thomas Boyd Whyte Solicitors.

• R v. H [Maidstone] 2016

  Historic sexual abuse against a pupil

  Orla Daly in the defence of an 82 year old retired head teacher for historic sexual abuse against a pupil. The defendant was assessed as unfit to participate in his trial and could not provide any instructions. Acquitted after trial despite the fact that the complainant’s account could not be explicitly challenged. Instructed by Berry & Lambert LLP.

• R v. M [Norwich] 2016

  Rape

  Orla Daly successfully defended a businessman whom was accused and cleared of multiple rapes upon his daughter. Instructed by EBR Attridge LLP.

• R v. F [Maidstone] 2016

  Sexual offences on patients by chiropracter

  Orla Daly acting as unled defence counsel in the case of a chiropractor accused of filming sexual assaults on patients. Instructed by Berry & Lambert LLP.

• R v. M [Maidstone] 2016

  Historic rapes

  Orla Daly successfully defended a sports coach, cleared of all alleged historic rapes & sexual assaults upon five complainants. Instructed by Berry & Lambert LLP.

• R v. F [Southampton] 2015

  Rape

  Orla Daly twice defended the same individual for separate allegations of stranger rapes six months apart. The defendant was acquitted at both trials. Instructed by Edward Hayes LLP.

• R v. Roberts [Portsmouth] 2015

  Alleged sexual assault on board HMS Ramsey

  Orla Daly successfully defended this Royal Navy sailor for sexual assault on board HMS Ramsey, a warship docked in Bahrain. Acquitted following a successful submission of no case to answer. Instructed by Edward Hayes LLP.

  The Portsmouth news article.

• R v. Pentreath [Woolwich] 2016

  Historic rapes

  Orla Daly appeared for the crown, prosecuting a businessman and chess professional for multiple historic rapes involving three complainants 30-40 years ago. The principal complainant had suffered severe mental health problems in adult life. Defendant was convicted on all 13 counts.

• R v. D,M,M [Maidstone] 2017

  Carbon Credit Fraud

  Edmund Fowler was instructed for the Crown in this successful prosecution of 3 individuals for a complex multi-million £ carbon credit scam. The defendants were represented by Queen's Counsel.

• Operation Kilburn [Maidstone] 2016

  Immigration Scam

  Edmund Fowler led Dickon Reid for the Crown in this complex multi-handed conspiracies to facillitate the illegal immigration of 83 individuals from France.  

• R v. Dubis [Canterbury] 2016

  Fatal Stabbing

  Edmund Fowler successfully prosecuted this defendant for the brutal stabbing and killing of a fellow Polish national following a drunken argument.

  News report here.

• R v. M [Canterbury] 2016

  Rape of 15 year old girl by taxi driver

  Edmund Fowler successfully prosecuted this taxi driver defendant for the brutal rape and sexual assault upon a 15 year old girl. 

• R v. Terry & ors [Maidstone] 2014

  Revenge Killing

  Jonathan Higgs QC led Edmund Fowler for the Prosecution of these 4 defendants for the murder of a Kent man found naked on the beach in Leysdown. The alleged motivation for the attack and murder was the victim was alleged to have molested a teenage girl earlier on the night of his murder.  

  BBC report here.

• R v M [Inner London] 2017

  Confiscation Proceedings

  Aska Fujita prosecuted confiscation proceedings following the defendant’s guilty plea to a car-ringing conspiracy worth over £750,000. Instructed by the CPS.

• R v P [Basildon Crown Court] 2017

  Benefit Fraud

  Aska Fujita represented a defendant charged with benefit fraud, spanning over 12 years, amounting to over £120,000. After negotiations with the prosecution, a plea on a basis was agreed, resulting in a suspended sentence. Instructed by Sternberg Reed.

• R v. MP [Inner London] 2016

  Alleged rape of foster daughter

  Paul Jackson acted for the defence of this male foster carer who was cleared of charges of multiple oral and vaginal rapes of his foster daughter. Instructed by Thos Boyd Whyte.

• R v. Kulczycki [Maidstone] 2016

  Attempted murder of love rival

  Paul Jackson acted for the defence of male charged with the attempted murder of his ex-partner’s new lover. The defendant drove his car onto the pavement and ran down the victim. Instructed by Thos Boyd Whyte

  News report here.

• R v. Ahmed [C.C.C] 2016

  Murder of father

  Jonathan Higgs QC led Paul Jackson in the Defence of a young male charged with the murder of his own father and attempted murder of his young niece and nephew. Defendant found not guilty by reason of insanity. Instructed by Emery Halil and Brown.

  News report here.

• R v. Burke [Maidstone] 2016

  Sc 18 following a ‘bottling’ in a night club

   

  Paul Jackson acted in the Defence of male charged with a joint enterprise section 18 following a ‘bottling’ in a night club. The defendant required the use of an intermediary. Instructed by Bailey Nicholson Grayson.

• R v. Ifemade [Woolwich] 2016

  Multiple Stabbings

  Paul Jackson acted for the defence of male charged with multiple stabbings, who was cleared by the jury following a trial. Instructed by McCormacks.

• R v. Vidler [Maidstone] 2017

  Attempted murder with axe

  Paul Jackson acted in the Defence of former professional boxer Colin ‘The Hammer’ Vidler charged and cleared of the attempted murder of his own cousin by striking him multiple times to the head with an axe. 

  News report here.

• R v. P Rahman [Snaresbrook] 2016

  Causing death by dangerous driving

  Paul Jackson was instructed in the defence of male charged with causing the death of a cyclist by dangerous driving. Mr Rahman was recorded driving at 71mph in a 30 mph speed zone when he hit a cyclist. He received four years imprisonment following a guilty plea. Instructed by EHB Solicitors.

  News report here.

• R v. Scott [Maidstone] 2015

  "One Punch" Manslaughter

  Paul Jackson was instructed for the defence of a male charged with manslaughter having delivered a single blow to the head of the deceased who was a fellow inmate at HMP Prison and had consumed 'Spice'. Instructed by TS Law

  News Report here.

• R. v. B [Canterbury] 2017

  Historic rape allegation of previous girlfriend

  Dominic Webber successfully defended a male cleared of all charges in this case involving 8 counts of rape of a former girlfriend during their relationship which had ended two years prior to his charge. The offences were alleged to have been committed over a two year period.

• R v. D [Canterbury] 2016

  Attempted rape and sexual assault

  Dominic Webber successfully secured the acquittal of a man alleged to have joined in with another (who was convicted) in the attempted rape of a young woman on her way home late at night. (Convicted of two other less serious offences)

  Daily Mail report here.

• R v. S [Maidstone] 2016

  Sc18 Wounding by Stabbing

  Dominic Webber successfully defended in this case alleging the stabbing in the upper thigh from behind of a youth in an alley way.

   

• Inquest into the Death of Ralph Brazier 2017

  Death of Surrey Entrepreneur after hitting a Pothole on group bicycle ride

  Christopher Sutton-Mattocks presided over the Surrey Inquest into the death of a Surrey Tech Entrepreneur who died after hitting a Pothole on a group ride with his bike club in Weybridge.

• R v. Te [C.C.C] 2017

  Murder

  Sarah Forshaw QC acted for the defence in this Old Bailey trial concerning the fatal stabbing in the neck and chest of a 20 year old man during a brawl in an East London park in front of picnicking families. The defendant was acquitted of murder, convicted of manslaughter. Instructed by McCormacks.

• R v. Khan & Barclay [C.C.C.] 2017

  Revenge Stabbing

  Catherine Farrelly was prosecution Counsel in this trial of two defendants for the pre-meditated revenge stabbing of another in connection with a drug-deal gone awry. The case involved the analysis of a significant amount of telephone evidence in addition to expert cell site and voice recognition evidence.

  Guardian News report here.

• R v. Rehman [Snaresbrook] 2017

  Rape & False imprisonment of 16 year old girl

  Catherine Farrelly was instructed for the Prosecution of this defendant for false imprisonment and three counts of rape involving a daytime attack on a 16 year old girl.

  Evening Standard Report here.

• R v. Gale [Lewes] 2017

  Murder of bomb expert over unpaid debt

  Rishi Nathwani led by Michael Bromley-Martin QC in this high profile murder allegation relating to the death of Mark Manning. The defendant was alleged by the Crown (prosecuted by senior treasury counsel) to have murdered Mr Manning due to a debt owed to him. The Crown relied on a confession by Gale to his wife as well as a 14 year old boy testifying that he heard Mr Gale and another discuss killing Mr Manning. From immediately after the death in 2014 up to November 2016, Mr Gale had denied any involvement in the death, including providing false witness statements to the police. In November 2016, he admitted for the first time that he had killed Mr Manning but stated he acted in self-defence and in panic had hidden Mr Manning's body, which was only found in May 2016. He was acquitted by the jury of murder and convicted of manslaughter, a plea he had offered to the prosecution from the outset of the trial. Instructed by Bambos Tsiattalou of the Stokoe Partnership.

  BBC News report here.

• R v. Pantellaro [I.L.C.C.] 2017

  Attempted Murder of Brother & Sister

  Jonathan Polnay was instructed to prosecute this Italian Martial Arts expert whom broke into and stabbed a brother and sister as they slept in their home. The attack was racially motivated and random. The Judge directed a not guilty verdict by reason of insanity and the defendant was detained for mental health assessment.

  Evening Standard report here.

• R v. GS [C.C.C.] 2017

  Sexual Assault upon 5 year old niece

  Sarah Forshaw QC defended this Merrill Lynch banker whom was charged and cleared following an 8 day Old Bailey trial of Sexually Assaulting his 5 year old niece during a bout of "Parasomnia". Instructed by BCL Solicitors LLP.

• R v. Pollard & anr [Maidstone] 2017

  Murder of Pokemon Go fan

  Jonathan Higgs QC was instructed for the defence of this man cleared of his involvement in the murder of Pokemon Go fan, Carl Gregory, by strangulation in a revenge attack for posting offensive material online of an ex-girlfriend. Instructed by Gurney Harden Solicitors.

  News Report here. 

• R v. Clayson [Maidstone] 2017

  Cold Case Serial Rapes

  Jonathan Higgs QC led James Martin in this trial involving a series of knifepoint stranger rapes in the early 1990's. Multiple allegations born from a cold case review of DNA recovered from a stocking left at the scene of a brutal stranger rape in the 1990s. This was linked to another attempted rape at the same time and was supported by reliance upon Similar Fact principles alone. Significantly the case concerned the proper interpretation of new statistical analysis of mixed-profile poor quality DNA samples. Instructed by Berry & Lambert.

• Operation Seale (Damilola Taylor Murder- trial 1) 2006

  Damilola Taylor Murder Trial

• Operation Deliver [C.C.C.] 2009

  £53m Tonbridge Securitas Heist

• Operation Devout [Birmingham] 2009

  £82m Missing Trader Fraud

• R v. Ruskuls [C.C.C.] 2017

  M4 motorway bridge Murder following sex attack

  Benjamin Temple, led by Crispin Aylett QC, prosecuted this homeless man who abducted, sexually assaulted and brutally murdered a 30 year old woman as she walked to work. The defendant was sentenced to life, with a minimum of 30 years.

  BBC report here.

• Operation Tangelo 2 2010

  Alchohol Diversion Fraud

  Alcohol diversion fraud. Highly complex, involving a large network of traders. Part 2 involved the setting up of a ‘fraudsters’ bank’.

• Operation Steamroller [Southwark] 2014

  £70m Spanish "Boiler" Room operation

• R v. Sroka [C.C.C.] 2017

  Murder of girlfriend by jilted lover

  Anthony Orchard QC led Charlotte Newell for the prosecution in this Old Bailey murder trial involving the brutal killing of a 29 year old woman by her jealous boyfriend when he discovered a Post Office redirection letter confirming she was leaving him. 
   

• R v. Timon [C.C.C.] 2017

  Murder of City Banker

  Anthony Orchard QC prosecuted this defendant for killing a banker with one punch in an “unprovoked and gratuitous” attack.

  News report here.

• Operation Arrow [Bristol] 2014

  Large Scale International Drug Importation

  Jeffrey Israel was instructed for the defence in this 8 week trial involving the supply of huge quantities of cocaine at 98% purity, as well as possession of firearms. Instructed by Thos Boyd Whyte.

• R v. BM [Maidstone] 2017

  Step-father accused of sexual assault upon his stepdaughter

  Gregory Fishwick successfully represented this defendant whom was cleared of all charges of allegedly sexually assaulting his step-daughter over a 6 year period. The allegations were borne of revenge by his former wife following an acrimonious divorce. Instructed by Edward Hayes LLP.

• R v. Defontaine [Croydon] 2017

  Sexual Assaults on own family members

  Catherine Farrelly prosecuted this "persistent and manipulative” paedophile who carried out a series of sexual assaults on 6 of his own family members. He was sentenced to 18 years.

  Evening Standard report here.

• R v. Hood [Canterbury] 2017

  Sexual Assault of 16 year old male student

  Dominic Webber secured the acquittal of a 50 year old woman alleged to have sexually assaulted at work a 16 year old male student doing a summer job.

  News report here.

• R v. Hussain [Snaresbrook] 2017

  Series of Sex Attacks by Uber Driver

  Catherine Farrelly prosecuted this Uber driver whom was sentenced to 12 years for rapes and sexual assaults. Hussain lay in wait outside popular London bars looking for drunken women to rape, preying on women leaving pubs in Shoreditch, in the east of the capital before attacking them as they slept.

  Daily Mail report here.

• Operation Boldo [I.L.C.C.] 2017

  Horsemeat Fraud

  Jonathan Polnay was lead Counsel for the Crown in this multi-handed and much publicised conspiracy involving three prominant businessman passing off horsemeat as 100% pure beef.

  News report here.

• Operation Polarity [C.C.C.] 2017

  Teenager who masterminded Cyber crime attacks upon Sony & Microsoft

  Jonathan Polnay prosecuted this teenager who set up a computer hacking business that caused chaos worldwide. Adam Mudd was 16 when he created the Titanium Stresser program, which carried out more than 1.7m attacks on websites including Minecraft, Xbox Live and Microsoft and TeamSpeak, earning the equivalent of more than £386,000 in US dollars and bitcoins from selling the program to cybercriminals.

  News Report here.

• R v. Whitlock & Baker [Blackfriars] 2017

  Escape from HMP Pentonville

  Jonathan Polnay prosecuted this escape from HMP Pentonville by two cell mates serving substantial sentences. Whitlock & Baker sawed through a bar, crossed a roof and swung out on a CCTV pole before going on the run, being caught after 6 and 2 days.

  News Report here.

• R v H & ors [Guildford] 2017

  £325,000 Invoicing Fraud

  Aska represented the third defendant as junior alone in a six-handed trial where the first defendant was represented by silk and junior, and the second defendant was represented by two juniors. Aska’s client was charged with three counts of participating in fraud by abuse of position with other family members totalling c£300,000. The trial required analysis of substantial financial evidence covering numerous bank accounts. After a six-week trial, Aska’s client was the only defendant to be acquitted of any count and ultimately received a suspended sentence. Instructed by Sternberg Reed.

  News Report here.

• R v. Aziz & ors [C.C.C] 2017

  Three Musketeers Terror Trial

  Rishi Nathwani led by Kieran Vaughan QC, instructed by Tuckers represented 1 of the 4 Defendants in the unprecedented Three Musketeers Terror Trial that lasted 5 months at the Old Bailey before Mr Justice Globe. There was a significant press interest in this case, that was only the third trial in the history of the UK that was held (in part) in secret (in camera) due to issues of national security. 

  The Defendants had been under surveillance and subject to an undercover operation by the West Midland Counter Terrorist Special Projects Team, who ran a covert operation from a Courier Company. When the MI5 were fitting a listening device in a co-defendant’s car, a search revealed a bag with a pipe bomb, imitation firearm, live ammunition and a hatchet with “Kafir” scratched into it. It was the Defence case that these items had been planted by the Under Cover Officer given the previous terror convictions of some of the Defendants. 

  The trial process threw up a number of complex and significant legal issues, which included:

  • Secret/in camera evidence
  • Anonymous Witnesses
  • British Secret Service (MI5) Evidence that was not contained to NCND
  • PII/Disclosure which resulted in the service of the personal phones of several Under Cover Operatives who it was alleged had planted a pipe bomb to frame the Defendants, some of whom were known to the police/MI5
  • Jury irregularities including a juror making it plain that she fancied the Officer in the case (who the Defence suggested was corrupt) and another juror making enquiries as to his relationship status. 
  • Bad Character
  • Extreme Islamic ideology
  • Low Copy DNA evidence
  • Legal argument relating to prejudice/bias as a result of the 4 terror attacks that occurred during the trial (Westminster, Manchester, London Bridge and Finsbury Park)

• Operation Manningtree [Inner London] 2017 2017

  13 handed Violent Disorder following illegal 'rave'

  Catherine Pattison led Ben Holt in the Prosecution of 13 defendants for violent disorder that arose out of an illegal rave organised to take place on the night of Hallowe’en 2015 by a group called ‘Scumtek’. The violence was described as the worst in London since the riots of 2011 and resulted in the largest deployment of Police Officers since that time.

  News reports here:

  Evening Standard

  The Guardian

   

• R v. Daniels & ors [Isleworth] 2017

  Conspiracy to steal motor vehicles

  Ben Holt acted for the Crown, Daniels was charged with two others with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles. He worked for a BMW dealership and was convicted of stealing car keys and customer’s personal details before passing them on to other conspirators who would steal the cars that had been sold from his place of work. His co-defendants pleaded Guilty at PTPH; with one of them giving evidence for the Crown against Daniels. On conviction, Daniels was sentenced to 63 months’ imprisonment.

  News reports:

  Evening Standard

  Daily Mail

• R v. Yogarajah & ors [Luton] 2017

  Torture & Murder of Love Rival

  Jonathan Higgs QC successfully defended his client in this 8 week murder trial involving the kidnap, torture and killing of an alleged love rival. Instructed by Farradays.

  BBC report here.

• R v. NC [Aylesbury] 2017

  Ex Teacher accused of Historic Sexual Assaults

  Sarah Forshaw QC acted for this retired ex-teacher who was charged with a series of historic sexual assaults in the 1980's. NC had been extradited from Spain to stand trial but was cleared of all charges. Instructed by Sonn McMillan Walker.

• R v. Mulligan & Clancy [C.C.C.] 2017

  Murder of 'Street Preacher'

  Ben Temple led by Sarah Whitehouse QC prosecuted these two homeless men for the senseless stabbing of this Street Preacher early one morning on a busy street in the West End of London.

• R v. Burton [Southwark] 2017

  Radio Host accused of trolling a Muslim politician with Islamophobic tweets

  Ben Temple prosecuted this right wing radio host whom was jailed for vile Islamophobic' trolling of anti-racism campaigner.

  News reports below

  Independent

  Daily Mail

• R v. Doherty & anr [Luton] 2017

  Preventing lawful Burial

  Ben Temple instructed by EHB Solicitors, acted for this 72 year old man at his trial who was charged with preventing the lawful burial of his sister in law and perverting the course of justice following the discovery of her body in a Luton Garden 12 years after her disappearance. The jury at his first trial was hung, Gregory Fishwick was Counsel at his Re-trial.

  Daily Mail report.

• Operation Marrick [C.C.C.] 2017

  Gang Murder

  Anthony Orchard QC leading Ben Temple appeared for the Crown in this Old Bailey murder trial involving the gang related murder of a teenager in South Harrow. 2 Teenagers from a rival gang were sentenced to life imprisonment.

• Operation Mapledurwell [C.C.C.] 2017

  Drug related Shooting in East London

  Anthony Orchard QC led Danny Robinson in this drug related Old Bailey murder trial. The victim was shot dead at his front door of his residence in Stratford East London in the early evening.

• R v. Shepherd & Cox [Maidstone] 2017

  Baby Shaking Death of 5 month old son

  Paul Jackson, led by Nadine Radford QC, acted for a father charged with causing the death of a 5 month old baby by shaking and thereby causing a catastrophic brain injury. At the time of death the baby was also found to have 28 fractures to his bones and had been exposed to cocaine and amphetamine. This case included a considerable amount of complex expert evidence. Instructed by TS Law.

  News report here.

• K.C.C. v. S & C [Medway CC] 2017

  Baby Shaking Death of 5 month old son

  Stephen Chippeck acted for the step-father in this 5 week Fact Finding involving the death of a 5 month old boy following a shaking incident. Instructed by Patrick Lawrence Solicitors.

• R v. S&H [Snaresbrook] 2017

  Ultra Orthodox Jewish man charged with Kidnap and Rape of ex-wife

  Charlotte Newell prosecuted this Ultra Orthodox 62 year old jewish man who was jailed for 13 years for the kidnap and rape of his ex-wife after refusing to grant her a religious divorce. He held her in a sercret dungeon in Hackney, East London. 

  Daily Mail report.

• RB of Greenwich v O [Central Family Court] 2017

  "Baby Shaking"

  Hannah Wyatt represented a Guardian in Care proceedings, including a fact finding and final hearing.  It involved an abundance of police and medical evidence relating to the non-accidental injuries of a 2 year old boy.  The case concluded successfully with a SGO with an international element.
  
   

• RB of Kensington & Chelsea v G [Central Family Court] 2017

  Sexual Abuse of 3 siblings

  Hannah Wyatt represented a Guardian in a fact finding and final hearing.  The main issue related to sexual abuse of the children, which was disputed.  The case successfully concluded with the children being placed with their father.
  
   

• R v. Garang & Galean [C.C.C.] 2017

  Teenagers who stabbed selfridges wine salesman to death found guilty of murder

  Jonathan Polnay, led by Jonathan Rees QC, prosecuted these two teenagers for the murder of an 23 year old man in North London. The victim was lured to a location just off of Turnpike Lane under the pretence of a car insurance sale, but was robbed and murdered due to a previous dispute over the purchase of a laptop on the gumtree internet site.

  Guardian news report here.

• R v. A [Southwark] 2017

  Facilitating entry to UK of teenage girl for exploitation

  Irshad Sheikh prosecuted this 50 year old job centre fraud worker who was found guilty after trial of arranging the entry into the UK of a 13 year old girl whom she kept as a personal slave and made to work 16 hours a day for 11 years. 

  Daily Mail report here.

• R v. X [Birmingham] 2009

  Honour Killing

  Defended dental surgeon allegedly involved in joint enterprise “honour killing”. Defendant acquitted.

• R v. Vernarsky [Sheffield] 2012

  Murder

  Defended allegation that the defendant, who was a Czech national, had murdered his Hungarian girl friend by strangulation.  The defendant was acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter.

• R v. Birch [Leeds] 2012

  Murder

  Defended in murder in which the defendant was alleged to have stabbed victim and then trampled over his body causing broken ribs. She had then spat on him and verbally abused him. The defendant was acquitted of murder and convicted of unlawful act manslaughter. Having been sentenced, the judge, after a substantial delay, brought the defendant back to re-sentence her on the basis that he had given her excessive credit for her pre-trial offer of manslaughter. After reading extensive skeleton argument reviewing all authorities on this subject, judge left sentence unaltered.

• R v. Fullam [Teeside] 2009

  Murder

  Defended in New Year’s Eve killing of family man. Jury unable to agree but co-defendant Appleby convicted of murder. At re-trial, Crown accepted a plea to manslaughter and the defendant sentenced to two years six months custody. Appleby reported at AG’s Reference No. 60 of 2009 [2010] 2 Cr.App.Rep. (S) 46 on sentence guideline case on unlawful act manslaughter.

• R v. Iqbal & ors [Harrow] 2017

  GBH Sc18

  Gordon Carse acted for the defendant who was alleged to be the principle in a group attack in which he chased and threw a young man from the roof of a building causing life-changing injuries. A submission of no case to answer was successfully made and the defendant acquitted following the successful resistance of the prosecution's appeal against the terminatory ruling. Instructed by Imran Khan & Partners.

• R v. KB & anr [Woolwich] 2017

  Firearms

  Gordon Carse represented one of three defendants in a two week cut throat trial. The prosecution arose following an undercover sting operation where meetings and communications arranging the purchase of a glock, MP5 assault rifle, and ammunition were covertly recorded. The defendant was acquitted by the jury. Instructed by Thos Boyd Whyte.

   

• R v. M & anr [CCC] 2017

  Fatal Stabbing of Teenager in Northolt

  Sarah Forshaw QC represented this 17 year old man who was cleared of the murder and manslaughter of an 18 year old man in Northolt. The jury returned a unanimous verdict after a 3 week trial at the Old Bailey. Instructed by McCormacks Solicitors.

  News report here.

• R v. B [Wood Green] 2017

  Money Laundering over £200,000 in cash

   

  Senghin Kong prosecuted B for possession of criminal property following the seizure of over £200,000 in cash during the course of a joint National Crime Agency / Metropolitan Police operation. Instructed by CPS London.

• R v S [Court of Appeal] 2017

  Appeal against Rape Conviction

  Senghin Kong led by Jonathan Goldberg QC represented S at his appeal against conviction for rape and other offences against his ex-wife. The prosecution case depended on the hearsay evidence of the ex-wife who had sent a number of letters from Israel, some of which stated that her initial complaint to the police was false or inaccurate. Fulford LJ allowed the appeal on the basis that the trial judge’s direction had been inadequate in circumstances where the complainant had given two contradictory accounts. Instructed by Sonn McMillan Walker.

• R v. H [Canterbury] 2017

  Historic allegation of sexual touching by Male nurse

  Dominic Webber successfully defended this male nurse who faced an historic allegation of sexual touching of a mentally disordered patient behind the curtains on a Hospital ward. Instructed by Martyn Hewett Solicitors.

   

• R v. B [Southwark] 2017

  Threats to kill and persistent domestic violence

  Dominic Webber secured the acquittal of this vulnerable and suicidal defendant who was on the autistic spectrum. He was  accused of threatening to kill the mother of his baby son whilst pressing a shard of glass into her neck. It was also alleged that he had just thrown the headboard of a bed at her head which impacted with her face. The defendant maintained that the allegation was fabricated and photos relied upon were of injuries inflicted by another on an earlier occasion. The defendant was also cleared of all other domestic violence offences alleged and assaulting the complainant’s father. He maintained that another was responsible in relation to the complainant and the defendant was the victim of violence perpetrated by the father. Instructed by Martyn Hewett Solicitors.

• R v MS & Ors [Southwark] 2017

  Conspiracy to Steal and Burgle

  James Martin leading Lizzie Wilson as led Junior. Case involved allegations that MS was the leading figure in a conspiracy to steal to order high value motor cars either by keyless thefts or by burglaries where the car keys were stolen. It was a sophisticated operation where cars were stolen to order which had a total value of well over £2m

• R v MT & Ors [Blackfriars] 2017

  Kidnap and Blackmail

  James Martin was junior alone in this case that was said to involve a gang related kidnap and blackmail that was connected to the distribution of drugs. Case against MT was built on the concept of Joint Enterprise. Said to have allowed her house to be used by other members to kidnap, attack and blackmail another. Unanimously acquitted by the Jury. Instructed by Hodge Jones Allen.

• R v WM & Ors [Isleworth] 2017

  Conspiracy to Kidnap

  James Martin acted in this case that was said to involve a gang related kidnap and blackmail that was connected to the distribution of drugs. WM was said to be the head of a gang of local drug dealers who had snatched the girlfriend of a rival drug dealer. She was then held until freed by armed officers. Crown sought to link WM to these offences by references to telephone contact, cell site and social media posts as well as undercover video footage. There was a linked undercover operation ongoing at the time connected to separate drugs supply allegations. Unanimously acquitted. Instructed by Goldkorns.

• R v JH & Ors [C.C.C.] 2017

  Murder

  James Martin was led by Michael Ivers QC in this case concerning a fatal attack on Halloween 2017 where a group of young men armed with poles and knives attacked another group in a park in Selhurst, near Croydon. Allegations put on a classic Joint Enterprise basis by the Crown. Heavy reliance upon CCTV and Cell site evidence. 

• R v JS [Kingston] 2017

  Sc18 'Stabbing'

  Nick Robinson acted for the defendant was cleared of Section 18 GBH, the defendant chaving been charged with attacking and stabbing the complainant following a dispute after a night out. Instructed by Goldkorns.

• R v SH [Inner London] 2016

  Sc18 Wounding

  Nick Robinson acted for the defence in this Section 18 GBH. The defendant charged with attacking her on/off partner with a glass bottle. Both defendant and victim were vulnerable adults. The defendant was acquitted following a trial. Instructed by Goldkorns.

• R v CG [Snaresbrook] 2017

  Conspiracies to commit Armed Robberies

  Nick Robinson acted for the defendant who was cleared of all charges in this conspiracy to commit armed robberies. Defendant was one of a number of teenagers involved in a conspiracy to commit 22 knife point robberies of taxi drivers in East London. Instructed by The Stokoe Partnership.

• R v JH [Woolwich] 2015

  Sc18 'Hammer Attack'

  Nick Robinson acted in this Section 18 GBH. The defendant was charged following a frenzied hammer attack during the course of a landlord and tenant dispute. Instructed by Goldkorns.

• R v PT & ors [Central Criminal Court] 2014

  Murder

  Nick Robinson was the led junior in this case involving Murder, possession of firearms with intent to endanger life, concerning the shooting with a sawn-off shot gun of an entirely innocent individual, caught in the middle of a gang related dispute.The defendant was acquitted of murder. Instructed by Goldkorns.

• R v FA [Inner London] 2017

  Rape of 13 year old school girl

  Nick Robinson acted for this defendant accused of persuading a 13 year-old school girl to come to his flat, before raping and sexually assaulting her. Instructed by Brady Eastwood Pierce Solicitors.

• R v DM [Wood Green] 2017

  Sexual Assault

  Nick Robinson acted for the defendant who was cleared following this Sexual Assault trial. The defendant was charged with sexually assaulting his teenage step-daughter, including by biting her breast. Instructed by The Stokoe Partnership.

• R v. JB [Basildon] 2016

  Historic Sex Abuse

  Nick Robinson acted in this Historic Sexual abuse case. The defendant accused of a series of indecent assaults committed against his twin daughters, in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Instructed by EBR Attridge.

• R v. Bui & ors [Woolwich] 2013

  People Trafficking, Rape & Sham Marriages

  Nick Robinson was the led junior in a case in which the Defendant was accused of trafficking a vulnerable Roma gypsy for exploitation, conspiring to enter into a 'sham marriage' and multiple rapes. Instructed by Vickers Solicitors.

• R v. AH & ors [Woolwich] 2015

  Large scale Supply of Cocaine & Heroin

  Nick Robinson acted for this defendant, charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin. The trial, which lasted several weeks, involved a London based gang who operated a 'drugs line' in Hertfordshire. Instructed by Goldkorns.

• R v. BH & ors [Isleworth] 2011

  Importation of 16 tonnes of Cannabis worth £50million

  Nick Robinson was the Led Junior in this long running trial, in a case involving the importation of 16 tonnes of cannabis, with a street value of £50 million. Instructed by Parfitt Law.

• R v. HB & ors [Southwark] 2015

  Conspiracy to handle stole mobile telephones

  Nick Robinson was the Led junior in a case involving the organised and dishonest trading in an estimated £5million of stolen mobile phones. The case involved several months of covert video and audio recordings, taken from within the storage facility which the gang operated from. Instructed by MTG Solicitors.

• R v. Kibusi & ors [C.C.C.] 2017

  Revenge Execution

  Anthony Orchard QC led Charlotte Newell in this prosecution of 3 men for the "Revenge Execution" of a rival gang member following a knife fight the previous day. The victim was shot in the chest with an automatic pistol at close range during broad daylight in a street in Ilford East London. They were each sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 30 years.

  News report here.

• R v S [Snaresbrook] 2017

  Coercive & Controlling Behaviour towards wife

  Charlotte Newell successfully defended this husband who faced a four day trial, charged with "Coercive & Controlling Behaviour towards his wife". The defendant was acquitted of all charges. Instructed by ABV Solicitors.

• Operation Bloomeria [2017-2018] 2018

  Prosecution of a network of paedophiles

  Charlotte Newell was instructed by CPS International & Organised Crime division Prosecuted this network of individuals for offences by paedophiles including streaming child sexual abuse on an online conferencing platform including the live streaming of a rape of a child in the USA.

  BBC news report here.

• R v B [Canterbury] 2017

  Historic Sex Abuse

  Charlotte Newell represented this vulnerable adult with learning difficulties accused of historic sexual offences towards his learning disabled daughter. He was cleared of all charges following trial. Instructed by Bond Joseph Solicitors.

• R v. Kamara & anr [C.C.C.] 2018

  Gang Execution

  Jeffrey Israel instructed by Jon Ross of EBR Attridges, led by James Scobie QC secured the acquittal of Sidique Kamara who was accused of murder having allegedly executed a teenager by plunging a large knife into the victim’s chest in revenge after a gang member was mocked for being caught by police with a samurai sword. The murder took place outside a Tesco Express in Southampton Way, Peckham in front of a number of witnesses.

  Sidique Kamara was positively identified by the victim’s friend who was next to him when he was killed. In addition the prosecution relied on telephone cell site evidence, gang membership evidence, extensive CCTV footage, as well as Sidique Kamara’s ‘no comment’ police interview. The trial lasted 5 weeks.

  There were two defendants and Sidique Kamara was accused of being the stabber and was the main defendant in the case. Both defendants were unanimously acquitted by the jury.

• R v. Davis [C.C.C.] 2017

  Self Defence Murder

  Jonathan Higgs QC led Paul Jackson for the defence of this young male charged with murder. The Crown’s case was that the defendant stabbed the deceased 14 times in a matter of seconds. Whilst the defendant accepted causing the death of the deceased, he asserted that the deceased attacked him with a knife which he was able to take off of him and then acted in self-defence. The defendant was found not guilty.

  BBC report here.

• R v. Abifade & ors [I.L.C.C.] 2017

  Fraud by Abuse of Position

  Paul Jackson acted for the defence of a bank employee passing customers’ account details to others so that they could fraudulently impersonate those customers and obtain funds.

  News report here.

• R v. CS & ors [C.C.C.] 2017

  Perverting the Course of Justice / Homicide

  Paul Jackson acted for the Defence of female charged with deliberately assisting a male, who was subsequently charged with murder, to evade arrest and thereby perverted the course of justice. The assistance included disposing of clothes, dying hair, attempting to lighten skin colour, assisting escape from the murder scene and then providing addresses to hide.

  News report here.

   

• R v. Khatri & ors [Snaresbrook] 2017

  £550k Fraud by False Representation

  Paul Jackson acted for the defence of female charged with defrauding others out of £550,000. The defendant, with another (co-defendant pleaded guilty), was alleged to have falsely represented to her friends that they had won £46.5 million gambling but required money to pay legal fees to release the funds. Defendant found not guilty. Instructed by Shaw Graham Kersch.

  News Report here.

• R v. Zefi & ors [Kingston] 2017

  Conspiracy to supply large quantities of class A drugs

  Danny Robinson led Paul Jackson in this successful prosecution of males charged with conspiracy to supply large quantities of class A drugs and then launder the proceeds. This was a NCA investigation. The defendants were sentenced to a total of 44 years imprisonment.

  News report here.

• R v. Agostinho & ors [Kingston] 2017

  Conspiracy to possess prohibited weapons

  Paul Jackson acted for the defence of male charged with conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to possess prohibited weapons. This case stemmed from armed Police forcing entry to a flat containing nine males. Upon entry three of the males entered a balcony and were seen to throw items out. The Police later recovered from the grounds around the flat a loaded revolver and a loaded Uzi pistol. The Crown alleged that the nine defendants were part of a gang about to carry out a revenge attack. Mr Agostinho’s previous conviction for the armed robbery of a cash-in-transit van was admitted. Defendant found not guilty. Mr Jackson’s experience in serious gang related crime (see Awoyemi for example) proved vitally important.

• R v. Sewell & ors [Canterbury] 2017

  Conspiracies to commit Armed Robbery

  Paul Jackson acted in this successful defence of male stopped by armed Police whilst driving through Kent with two others. When the car was searched machetes and balaclavas were found. Prosecution stopped following legal argument. Instructed by Imran Khan & Partners.

   

• R v. Slepcik [Inner London] 2017

  Controlling Prostitution

  Paul Jackson acted for the defence of male charged with controlling prostitution for gain, trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation and sexual assault. This case revolved around Kosice in Slovakia.

  News report here

• R v AS [Snaresbrook] 2017

  Sexual Assault by Mini Cab driver

  Paul Jackson acted for the Crown in this successful prosecution of a mini-cab driver charged with the sexual assault of a lone female fare at night who was intoxicated.

• R v MA [Maidstone] 2017

  Rape

  Paul Jackson acted for the defence of this male charged with rape. The Crown’s case was that the complainant either did not consent or lacked the capacity to consent through voluntary intoxication. The complainant also suffered from a serious mental health illness. Defendant found not guilty.

• R v. KO [Blackfriars] 2017

  Historic Sexual Assaults

  Paul Jackson acted for the Defence of a male charged with the historic assault and rape of an 8-9 year old child looked after by his mother in her role as a child minder. Defendant found not guilty. Instructed by Emery Halil Brown.

• R v. RA [Maidstone] 2018

  Rape of fiances younger sisters

  Paul Jackson acted for the defence of this male charged with the oral rape and sexual assault by penetration of his fiancé’s younger sisters. Instructed by TS Law.

• Operation Tandil [Croydon] 2018

  Violent disorder arising out of an attack on an asylum seeker in Croydon

  Two linked trials. Jonathan Polnay led Ben Holt in the first and Ben Holt led Dickon Reid in the second. A total of 14 defendants were charged with violent disorder arising out of an attack on an asylum seeker in Croydon. The case attracted international media attention. Instructed to SCU at CPS London.

  Daily Mirror report here

  Daily Mail report here

• R v. S [St Albans] 2017

  Blackmail and misconduct in a public office

  Ben Holt was instructed to defend a Detective Constable charged with blackmail and misconduct in a public office. S had used the PNC to find out personal details of an individual who was using the services of a prostitute. He then blackmailed him. Pleaded guilty. Sentence referred to the CoA by the A-G as being unduly lenient. Instructed by Slater & Gordon.

  News reports:

  BBC report here

  Daily Telegraph report here

• R v. Abdikarim [Isleworth] 2017

  Acid Attack

  Ben Holt was instructed by the Prosecution for the trial of an ‘acid attack’ case. The victim was lured to a park in Isleworth by the defendant. A substance was thrown at him by another, unidentified, male. Victim lost his eye as a result of the attack. He gave evidence with the assistance of an intermediary. Defendant was convicted and sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment.

  News report here

• R v. Ahmed [Snaresbrook] 2017

  Attempted Murder

  Ben Holt was Prosecution counsel at this trial of attempted murder. The defendant had run over an acquaintance with whom he was having a disagreement. Convicted of section 18 and sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment.

• R v. Abdallah [C.C.C.] 2017

  Prosecution of British man who travelled to Syria to join so-called Islamic State

  Mark Heywood QC acted for the Crown in this prosecution of a British man who was jailed for possession of an AK47 gun, receiving £2000 for the purposes of terrorism and membership of ISIS.

  BBC report here

  Guardian report here.

• Operation Primrose [Liverpool] 2018

  HMRC "Red Diesel" VAT Fraud

  James Martin was instructed as Leading Junior for this defendant charged with 10 others in a case that involved an huge undercover investigation by HMRC into an alleged nationwide Red Diesel laundering Fraud. There were said to be two principle laundering sites: one in Birkenhead and the other near Ashford in Kent. Following over 12 months of covert surveillance and a 3 year investigation 11 men were charged with being involved in the Conspiracy said to have involved a loss of over £500k to HMRC in unpaid VAT.

  The case was split into two trials. During the first trial it became apparent that there were a number of issues with disclosure in the case. This followed repeated requests for disclosure by the Defence teams. At the beginning of the 4^th week, and after the OIC was subjected to cross-examination on the voir dir, HMRC were forced to seek an adjournment of the Trial once they realised the scale of the disclosure problems in the case.

  The application was vigorously opposed by the Defence and ultimately refused by HHJ Trevor-Jones. In his damning ruling he said that there had been “negligence to a lamentable degree” which was “indicative of a more systemic failure.” As a result of the Judge’s ruling HMRC offered no Evidence against the defendants left in the case. Instructed by The Stokoe Partnership.

• R v. A [Bournemouth] 2018

  59 Burglaries

  Jonathan Reuben represented a prolific burglar known as the ‘gentleman burglar’ who whilst on licence from a three sentence for over 100 burglaries committed a further 59 burglaries.  Sentenced to 5 years and 4 months.

  The Times

  Daily Mail

  Bournemouth Echo

• R v. M [ILCC] 2018

  Multiple rape case

  Jonathan Reuben led by Sarah Forshaw QC defending in a multiple count rape case.  The trial had to be adjourned after serious disclosure failings were discovered by defence.  Successful application for costs against the CPS under section 19 Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. 

• R v. Theodore Johnson [C.C.C] 2018

  Prosecution of man for third offence of homicide of his partners

  Mark Heywood QC and Jonathan Polnay acted for the Crown in the case of Theodore Johnson whom was sentenced to life with a minimum tariff of 26 years, increased on appeal against Unduly Lenient Sentence, to 30 years in March 2018. Johnson had been convicted previously for the manslaughters of his partners in 1981 and 1993. His third victim, Angela Best, was murdered with a claw hammer in her flat in North London in December 2016. 

  BBC report here.

• R v. X [Teesside] 2018

  Alleged historic sexual offending in prestigious boarding school

  Sarah Forshaw QC acted for the defence in this case of alleged historic sexual offending committed whilst our client was a Gap Year Student in 2002 at a prestigious all boys boarding school in the North of England. The defendant was acquitted of all charges by a jury in 14 minutes. Instructed by Ellen Peart of BCL LLP.

• R v. IH & ors [C.C.C.] 2017

  Perverting the Course of Justice / Homicide

  William Davis was defence Counsel for a Defendant charged with perverting the course of justice. The Defendant was accused of enabling the main suspect in a murder enquiry to evade police in the hours following the murder and to avoid arrest for a period of five months by making false witness statements and arranging accommodation for him.

• R v. Giang Huong Tran [Stafford] 2017

  Prosecutions brought under the Modern Slavery Act 2015

  William Davis was Defence Counsel in one of the first prosecutions brought under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 for subjecting victims to forced or compulsory labour. The Defendants were Vietnamese and owned nail bars in Bath and Burton-upon-Trent. The police found young Vietnamese girls working there who had entered the UK illegally and were alleged to be working without pay in return for food and accommodation. The case is to be the subject of a BBC documentary series in 2018.

  BBC report here.

• R v Ruta Sperskaite & ors [Croydon] 2017

  Sham Marriages Prosecution

  William Davis was Instructed as Junior Defence Counsel for one of six Defendants charged with conspiracy to facilitate unlawful immigration by arranging sham marriages. The Defendants were Lithuanian and arranged for women to travel to the UK to marry non-EEA nationals.

  Evening Standard report here.

  Telegraph report here.

  Daily Mail report here.

• R v Mehdi Khashi [Chelmsford] 2016

  Rape, sexual activity with a child, inciting prostitution, and supplying controlled drugs.

  William Davis was Junior Defence Counsel for one of a group of Defendants accused of serious sexual offences against three different complainants, including rape, sexual activity with a child, inciting prostitution, and supplying controlled drugs.

  News report here.

• R v Tahir Mahmood [Leeds] 2016

  25 Defendants alleged to have committed serious sexual offences against young girl.

  William Davis was Defence Counsel for one of 25 Defendants alleged to have committed serious sexual offences against a vulnerable young girl. The investigation resulted in a series of four trials heard in 2016, and formed part of the pilot scheme for pre-recorded cross-examination.

  BBC report here.

• R v Mirza Hussain & ors [Croydon] 2015

  Conspiracy to facilitate a breach of immigration law

  William Davis was Junior Prosecution Counsel. The Defendants were charged with conspiracy to facilitate a breach of immigration law. They conspired to provide forged Dutch passports to non-EU nationals enabling them to make false applications for Home Office residence certificates.

  News report here.

• R v Anthony Okoh [Woolwich] 2014

  Multi-handed prosecution for conspiracy to facilitate a breach of immigration law

  William Davis was Junior Prosecution Counsel in a multi-handed prosecution for conspiracy to facilitate a breach of immigration law. The Defendants established and ran a company providing security guards to the construction industry. They employed illegal immigrants to work as security guards and exploited them, requiring them to work excessively long hours for paltry wages.

  News Report here.

• R v Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust [Maidstone] 2014

  HSE Prosecution of NHS Trust

  William Davis was Prosecution Counsel instructed by the Health and Safety Executive. A patient was injured during routine surgery.  He received severe burns from a warming mattress on the operating table when a saline bag was placed on the temperature sensor, causing the mattress to overheat.  The subsequent investigation revealed serious failures in the procurement process for the equipment, and in the training offered to staff. 

  BBC report here.

• N.M.C v Janice Harry [NMC] 2013

  Fitness to Practice Prosecution

  William Davis was Instructed by the NMC to prosecute the former Director of Nursing at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust at a fitness to practise hearing.  The Registrant was found guilty of misconduct for, inter alia, failing to ensure adequate staffing levels and an appropriate skill mix at Stafford Hospital resulting in dangerous conditions for patients

  BBC report here.

• R v. Nazzary & ors [C.C.C.] 2018

  Gang knife attack

  Natasha Wong QC led Dickon Reid in the defence of a vulnerable young man with very limited English who was acquitted of joint enterprise murder and manslaughter as secondary party in alleged gang knife attack involving a drug debt. Instructed by Thomas Boyd Whyte Solicitors.

• R v. Desai [Guildford] 2017

  Pharmacist cleared of murder

  Natasha Wong QC was Leading counsel for this pharmacist who was acquitted of murdering his elderly father by feeding him a smoothie laced with morphine. Defence was that he made the smoothie at his father’s request to assist his suicide. Instructed by Freemans.

  Daily Telegraph report here.

• In the matter of M [Southwark] 2018

  Manipulation of interbank benchmark rates

  Natasha Wong QC acted for former derivatives trader in regulatory proceedings brought by the FCA and in criminal proceedings involving the alleged dishonest manipulation of interbank benchmark rates. Instructed by Withers Worldwide/Sternberg Reed.

• R v DE & ors [Kingston] 2018

  Conspiracies to cheat the revenue by importation of dutiable goods to the UK

  Natasha Wong QC acted for the defence in this case involving conspiracies to cheat the revenue by importation of dutiable goods to the UK  and launder proceeds of crime . Instructed by Paul Martin & Co.

• R v J Smith & ors [Bristol] 2017

  Conspiracy to steal £1.9m of telecommunications equipment

  Natasha Wong QC acted for this Company director acquitted of conspiracy to steal £1.9m of telecommunications equipment and laundering the proceeds by creating false paperwork through a network of Companies. Instructed by JD Law.

• R v J Abidi & ors [Southwark] 2018

  Money Service bureau accused of laundering £60m proceeds of drug/revenue crime

  Natasha Wong QC was trial counsel for owner/manager of Money Service bureau accused of laundering £60m proceeds of drug/revenue crime involving detailed analysis of surveillance material/ covert recordings and ledgers. Instructed by Hodge Jones and Allen

• R v S Roberts [Guildford] 2017

  Vulnerable woman in very poor health accused of laundering proceeds of crime through various bank accounts

  Natasha Wong QC was trial Counsel of vulnerable woman in very poor health accused of laundering proceeds of crime through various bank accounts, with confiscation proceedings. Instructed by Duncan Lewis

• R v Rezza [Southwark] 2014

  Doctor on trial for conspiracy to defraud £800,000 from the DWP

  Natasha Wong QC was trial counsel for a doctor on trial with his non hearing/speaking mother, sister, and 4 sign language interpreters for conspiracy to claim £800,000 from the DWP by falsely claiming  they received and provided sign language interpretation and creating false paperwork to support claims. Instructed by Freemans Solicitors.

   

• In the matter of W [Woolwich] 2016

  Sister of a convicted drug supplier securing her third party rights to extensive property

  Natasha Wong QC acted for the sister of a convicted drug supplier securing her third party rights to extensive property. Instructed by LP Evans 

• In the matter of L [Bristol] 2017

  Wife of a convicted company director securing her third party rights to a significant share of the marital home and pension

  Natasha Wong QC acted for wife of a convicted company director securing her third party rights to a significant share of the marital home and pension. Instructed by LP Evans

• Council of Lloyds v J [Lloyds Enforcement Tribunal] 2013

  Underwriter in misconduct proceedings connected with losses of £235m

  Natasha Wong QC was Junior Counsel for an underwriter in misconduct proceedings connected with losses of £235m  ultimately settled before the Lloyd’s Enforcement Tribunal in its regulatory capacity Instructed by Withers Worldwide

• R v C B [Wood Green] 2013

  Company director accused of fraudulent concealment of, and trading in shares worth £4.5 million

  Natasha Wong QC was trial counsel for acquitted company director accused of fraudulent concealment of, and trading in shares worth £4.5 million, at a time when he was allegedly insolvent. Proceedings brought by Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. Instructed by Paul Martin & Co

   

• R v M [St. Albans] 2017

  Professional man accused of assault on wife

  Natasha Wong QC was Counsel for professional man acquitted of assault upon wife. Instructed by Sternberg Reed

• R v G and C [Isleworth] 2017

  Air rage incident on packed flight

  Natasha Wong QC conducted the guilty plea and suspended sentence orders  in respect  of air rage incident on packed flight 

• R v G [Wood Green] 2016

  Allegation of sexual assault by touching

  Natasha Wong QC was Counsel to a man involved in the allegation of sexual assault by touching. Instructed by Ewing Law.

• Appeal of J V [Court of Appeal] 2016

  Appeal of severely autistic man convicted of fraud

  Natasha Wong QC acted for severely autistic man convicted of fraud in appeal based on fresh expert evidence that had never been adduced at his original trial and to demonstrate by reference to extensive transcripts that his trial had not been fair. Instructed by Hodge Jones and Allen

• Appeal of M S [Court of Appeal] 2017

  Appeal against conviction for attempted murder and possession of shotgun with intent to endanger life

  Natasha Wong QC acted for youth with severe learning difficulties and very limited cognitive function on appeal based on fresh expert evidence of his condition and the fairness of his original trial, with additional  “Jogee”  joint enterprise ground following his conviction for attempted murder and possession of shotgun with intent to endanger life. Instructed by Paul Martin & Co

• R v L [Maidstone MC] 2017

  Defendant accused of creating indecent images on various electronic devices.

  Natasha Wong QC acted for retired defendant accused of creating indecent images on various electronic devices. Instructed by Kingsley Napley.

• R v P West & ors [C.C.C.] 2015

  Hired assassin acquitted of gang related axe murder

  Natasha Wong QC was counsel for alleged hired assassin acquitted of gang related axe murder with extensive analysis of cell site, DNA and telephone evidence. Instructed by Bark and Co.

• R v P and ors 2014

  Conspiracies to import cocaine by boatloads to the UK over a 4 year period.

  Natasha Wong QC was trial counsel for first defendant acquitted  of conspiracies to import cocaine by boatloads to the UK over a 4 year period and accused of aiding and abetting a police officer to commit misfeasance in public office. Instructed by Paul Martin & Co

• R v Van G [Reading] 2017

  Horse trader accused of importing class A drugs concealed in horse box and laundering over £200k

  Natasha Wong QC was trial counsel for acquitted  horse trader accused of importing class A drugs concealed in horse box and laundering over £200k, the alleged  proceeds of drug crime, defence of duress. Instructed by LP Evans

• R v W [St Albans] 2013

  Indecent assault allegations made by W’s grandchild and others

  Natsha Wong QC was trial counsel  for W, acquitted of indecent assault allegations made by W’s grandchild and others. Instructed by Sternberg Reed

• R v ADB [Kingston] 2014

  Film director acquitted of raping an actress after allegedly spiking her drink and luring her to a flat

  Natasha Wong QC was trial Counsel for film director acquitted of raping an actress after allegedly spiking her drink and luring her to a flat. Instructed by Bark and Co. 

• R v H-G [Southwark] 2015

  Conspiracy to import 100KG of cocaine to the UK from Columbia, concealed in pallets of bananas.

  Natasha Wong QC was trial counsel for defendant accused of conspiracy to import 100KG of cocaine to the UK from Columbia, concealed in pallets of  bananas. Instructed by LP Evans

• R v. G [Guildford)] 2018

  Alleged hired assassin acquitted of attempted murder

  Paul Jackson acted for the Defence of an alleged hired assassin acquitted of attempted murder. The case involved the crucial cross-examination of the Crown’s medical expert and the detailed analysis of CCTV evidence. Instructed by Imran Khan and Partners.

• R v. H [Southwark] 2018

  Conspiracies to Steal and Rob

  Paul Jackson acted for the Defence of male charged with conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to rob. The defendant was allegedly part of a gang that would steal motorbikes and then use them to rob individuals of high value items in the West End of London. Instructed by Joseph Hill Solicitors.

• R v.P [Aylesbury] 2018

  Alleged anal rape of 4 year old by Father

  Sarah Forshaw QC led Paul Jackson in this successful defence of a father charged with the anal rape of his 4 year old son. The jury acquitted in 10 minutes. Instructed by Rob Borwick of ABV Solicitors.

• R v. H [Kingston] 2018

  Historic rape, buggery and sexual assault

  Paul Jackson Led Charlotte Hole for the Defence of male charged with the historic rape, buggery and sexual assault of eight males over three decades. This trial involved an application to stay a count as an abuse of process, the analysis of volumes of third party material, section 41 applications, section 100 and 101 applications and submissions of no case. Instructed by TS Law.

• Operation Willsbridge [Southwark] 2018

  £2.1m International Fraud upon Film Rental Equipment Companies

  James Martin represented SH in this matter who was charged with being party to a large scale International Fraud against a number of Film Rental Equipment Companies who were based across the Globe. The Fraud was organised from the UK where the Organised Crime Group assumed the identities of some legitimate businesses in the industry. They were able to dupe associated Insurance companies as well and arrange various hire contracts over a significant period that were worth £2.1m. Ultimately the Crown were persuaded that the evidence of a Global Conspiracy was not present in SH's case and the indictment was amended to a single substantive money laundering offence in his case. SH was duly acquitted by the Jury. Instructed by Bark & Co Solicitors.

• R v. Glenn [ILCC] 2018

  Rape of 13 year old school girl

  Catherine Farrelly prosecuted this matter in which the defendant grabbed a 13-year-old schoolgirl off the street and filmed himself raping her. He was jailed for 11 years.

  News report here.

• R v. T [Maidstone] 2018

  Sexual Assault

  Jonathan Reuben acted for this defendant who was acquitted after three day trial for a serious sexual assault.  Cross-examination of the complainant and one eye witness.

• R v. C [Inner London] 2018

  Supply of Class A drugs

  Jonathan Reuben secured the acquittal of this defendant after a three day trial despite possession of wraps of cocaine, cash and a phone download with drug dealing messages.

• R v. P (Woolwich) 2018

  GBH Sc20

  Jonathan Reuben acted for this defendant who was acquitted after a three day trial.  The defendant was of good character and was seen on CCTV in a fight with the complainant who suffered a spinal injury.

• R v. W [Cambridge] 2018

  Supply of Class A drugs

  Jonathan Reuben acted in this matter in which there was a hung jury after six day trial, no retrial sought.  County line case, defendant found in possession of large quantity of class A drugs in the home of a vulnerable person.  Some drugs allegedly secreted in his anus.

• R v. R [Central Criminal Court] 2017

  Supply of Class A drugs

  Jonathan Reuben secured the acquittal of this defendant after a two day trial, despite being arrested in possession of multiple wraps of cocaine and heroin and a mobile phone with drug dealing messages.

• R v. J [Chelmsford] 2017

  Supply of Class A drugs

  Jonathan Reuben acted for this defendant who was found in possession of class A drugs following a police raid.  The defendant admitted attribution of a mobile phone with drug dealing messages on it.  Crown offered no evidence following a successful section 78 PACE argument and an unsuccessful bad character application.

• R v. R [Highbury Corner Youth Court] 2017

  Knife point robbery

  Jonathan Reuben secured the acquittal for this defendant with robbery by knife-point. The defendant’s DNA was found on the knife used in the robbery.  Acquitted after half-time submission challenging the lack of statistical analysis of the DNA evidence.

• 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. W & 7 ors [C.C.C] 2018

  Large scale human trafficking operation

  Valeria Swift represented this defendant, one of only two defendants to be acquitted, following a 3 month Old Bailey trial concerning a Kent based gang accused of smuggling migrants into the UK. Instructed by Cantaris Locke Solicitors.

  BBC report here

  Daily Mail report here

• R v. V & 7 ors [C.C.C] 2018

  Large scale human trafficking operation

  Dominic Webber represented this defendant, one of only two defendants to be acquitted, following a 3 month Old Bailey trial concerning a Kent based gang accused of smuggling migrants into the UK. Instructed by Martyn Hewett Solicitors.

  BBC report here

  Daily Mail report here 

• R v. L [C.C.C] 2018

  Conspiracy to facilitate breach of immigration law

  Paul Jackson acted in defence of a male (1 of 8) charged with conspiracy to facilitate the commission of a breach of the immigration law of the UK. The modus operandi alleged was the bringing of illegal Albanians across the Channel in RHIBs. This NCA investigation involved cell site, phone call analysis, CCTV, ANPR and probe material. Instructed by TS Law.

  BBC news report here 

• R v. H [Woolwich] 2018

  Rape

  Pauline Thompson acted for a defendant charged with rape and submitted a successful application to discharge the jury as a result of disclosure failings, the prosecution later offered no evidence. Instructed by O’Keefe’s Solicitors.

• Operation Roburo [Kingston] 2017

  Conspiracy to possess a firearm

  Pauline Thompson successfully defended allegations of conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon and conspiracy to commit violent disorderin a nine-handed trial.  Instructed by EBR Attridge Solicitors.

• R v. K [St Albans] 2017

  Conspiracy to commit knife point robberies

  Pauline Thompson led Peter Eguae in a nine-handed conspiracy to commit knifepoint robberies. Defendant aged 15 avoided a custodial sentence. Instructed by F.A. Lee & Co Solicitors.

• R v.S (Canterbury) 2018

  Rogue trader prosecution. Instructed by Kent County Council Trading Standards.

  Pauline Thompson successfully prosecuted a rogue trader builder who was sentenced to 61 months imprisonment on a fraud of £38,000. Disqualified from company directorship for 10 years and a CBO imposed indefinitely.

  News report here 

• R v AN [Blackfriars] 2018

  Handling stolen goods

  Jonathan Reuben secured an acquittal after a three day trial.  The defendant took an Apple laptop that he paid £100 for to a repair shop two days after it was stolen.

• R v E [Snaresbrook] 2018

  s18 GBH

  Jonathan Reuben acted for a defendant that smashed a bottle over the head of his friend, who was left with permanent damage to the sight in his left eye.  Negotiated a plea to a s20 resulting in a sentence of 2 years and 4 months.

• R v Seabrook & ors [Woolwich] 2018

  Conspiracy to supply drugs

  Charlotte Hole, instructed by the CPS SE Complex Casework Unit, was led by Martin Yale, Senior Crown Advocate, in a 5 week prosecution of 5 defendants charged with conspiracy to supply drugs with a street value of over £10m, after 951kg of cannabis was found in a lorry load of rabbit hay.  The case involved large volumes of telephone records, cell site evidence, and disputed evidence of co-location.

  News report here 

• R v TK [Kingston] 2018

  Operation Trident- Possession of live ammunition

  Charlotte Hole defended a 21 year old social worker in an Operation Trident case, after live ammunition was found in her bedroom.  The defendant faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years, but was acquitted after trial.

• R v SB [Southwark] 2018

  Assault on partner

  Charlotte Hole defended an 84 year old man with Alzheimer’s disease who was charged with assaulting his elderly partner, causing her significant facial injuries.  The complainant was unable to attend Court, raising issues of hearsay, and the defendant was unfit to plead.

• R v SC [Westminster] 2017

  Police officer assault on two teenagers

  Charlotte Hole, instructed by the CPS Complex Casework Unit, prosecuted a serving police officer charged with assaulting two teenagers when called to a domestic dispute.

• R v AA [Central Criminal Court] 2017

  Malicious communication to the police

  Charlotte Hole defended a 25 year old with autism and learning difficulties, charged with malicious communications offences relating to threatening calls he made to the police.  He was found unfit to plead, acquitted of one of the counts, and admitted to the National Autism Unit, a course the Probation Service had been unsuccessfully recommending for a number of years.

• R v DS [Snaresbrook] 2017

  Robbery

  Ria Banerjee acted for this defendant who was charged with Robbery. Successful submission of no case to answer on the basis of DNA evidence.

• R v LT [Snaresbrook] 2017

  Knife point robberies

  Ria Banerjee successfully represented a defendant charged, with others, of a series of knife-point robberies of taxi drivers. Successful applications to dismiss on the basis of identification and cell site evidence.

• R v DR [Harrow] 2017

  Threatening with a bladed article and Affray

  Ria Banerjee acted for a defendant charged with Affray and Threatening with a Bladed Article. Crown’s case consisted of a live witness stating that the Defendant threatened him and his friends with a knife. Incident captured on CCTV and mobile phone footage. Defendant gave a no comment interview with no solicitor present. Acquitted of both charges after trial.

• R v SR [Harrow] 2017

  Threats to kill

  Ria Banerjee secured the acquittal of this defendant charged with Threats to Kill where it was alleged that, whilst making the threats, he was wielding a machete. Extensive cross-examination of three civilian witnesses.

• R v SV [City of London] 2017

  Sexual Assault and Outraging Public Decency

  Ria Banerjee acted for this defendant who faced charges of Sexual Assault and Outraging Public Decency. The defendant is blind and alleged to have inappropriately touched four women on the Piccadilly Underground Line on two separate dates, in very similar circumstances. Defence was that the touching was not sexual. Argument for separate summary trials contested by the Crown but acceded to by the District Judge following submission of a detailed skeleton argument and lengthy oral submissions. Defendant acquitted of both charges after two separate trials.

• R v MC [Southwark] 2016

  High profile Historic Sex Abuse

  High profile historic sex abuse case. Ria Banerjee assisted with legal research and formed part of the Defence team led by Sarah Forshaw QC. Defendant acquitted after trial.

• R v MV [Maidstone] 2016

  Possession of a bladed article in public space

  Ria Banerjee successfully secured the acquittal for this defendant who was charged with Having a Bladed Article in a Public Place, namely, a Samurai sword on Dartford High Street. Evidence from a Police officer that he was waving the sword around. Incident captured on CCTV. 

• R v BG [Blackfriars] 2016

  Attempted robbery

  Ria Banerjee acted for this defendant who was charged with Attempted Robbery. Complainant was an off-duty prison officer who gave evidence to state that the Defendant had threatened to stab her and take her handbag. Successfully opposed the Crown’s bad character application to admit the Defendant’s previous convictions for Robbery and Attempted Robbery to correct a false impression. Acquitted after trial.

• R v CC [Snaresbrook] 2016

  Affray and Possession of an Offensive Weapon

  Ria Banerjee secured the acquittal for this defendant who was charged with two counts of Affray and Possession of an Offensive Weapon. Incidents captured on CCTV. Defendant gave a no comment interview.

• R v S & ors [Harrow] 2016

  Committal for Sentence

  Ria Banerjee represented six defendants in a Committal for Sentence where each client was facing a sentence of immediate custody. Succeeded in a legitimate expectation argument, which led to the Judge imposing Community/Suspended Sentences.

• R v AG [Maidstone] 2016

  Harassment whilst on life license for murder

  Ria Banerjee acted for this defendant who was charged with harassment and on life licence for murder. Facing significant consequences in terms of parole if convicted of the offence. Acquitted after trial following lengthy cross-examination of the complainant and legal submissions involving various authorities on “a course of conduct amounting to harassment”.

• The Army v PSP [Colchester Military Court Centre] 2017

  Possession with intent to supply

  Elizabth Wilson represented this defendant in Court Martial on charges of possession with intent to supply.

• R v RC [Woolwich] 2017

  Multi-handed robbery

  Elizabeth Wilson acted for the defence in this trial for a multi-handed robbery, a successful submission of no case to answer was given. 

• R v EL [Snaresbrook] 2017

  Assault

  Elizabeth Wilson acted for this defendant who was charged with assaulting his wife and son. Defendant was acquitted of assaulting his wife.

• R v EZ [Guildford] 2017

  Driving offences

  Elizabeth Wilson acted for this defendant who was charged with driving offences and was in a highly unusual position. He was a foreign national who did not speak English and he was deaf and could not speak. He therefore required a Hebrew interpreter who could also translate into BSL. That specific interpreter was not available to attend court. Following successful submissions, the charges were withdrawn and case dismissed.

• R v KR [Snaresbrook] 2017

  Multi-handed armed robbery

  Elizabeth Wilson acted in this trial concerning Youth multi-handed armed robbery. Defendant sentenced to a 2 year Detention and Training Order.

• R v SS [Westminster] 2017

  Common assault

  Elizabeth Wilson represented this defendant who pleaded guilty to common assault on security guard. Following mitigation, defendant sentenced to a conditional discharge & all costs waived including the mandatory criminal court charge.

• R v OO [Wimbledon] 2017

  Domestic violence

  Elizabeth Wilson secured the acquittal of this defendant who was charged with domestic violence. Successful defence in case of domestic violence following evidence from complainant and two further prosecution witnesses to the alleged assault. Successfully opposed an application for a post-acquittal restraining order.

• R v EW [Highbury Youth Court] 2017

  Attempted robbery and possession of bladed article

  Elizabeth Wilson secured the acquittal for a youth defendant charged with attempted robbery and possession of bladed article. 

• R v CF [Watford] 2017

  Serious speeding offence

  Elizabeth Wilson represented a defendant charged with a speeding offence. Following mitigation, defendant not disqualified from driving having pleaded guilty to speeding at 130mph.

• R v HK [Folkstone] 2017

  Multi handed burglary

  Elizabeth Wilson secured the acquittal for this youth defendant charged with multi-handed burglary and theft from a motor vehicle.

• R v PM [Bromley] 2017

  Common assault

   Elizabeth Wilson represented this defendant who pleaded guilty to category 1 common assault on TFL bus driver. Following mitigation, Magistrates persuaded to sentence without PSR and imposed a fine, costs and compensation.

• R v LE [Canterbury] 2017

  Multi handed commercial burglary

  Elizabth Wilson acted for defence in this case of  multi-handed commercial burglary and theft. Defendant suffered with learning difficulties and required an intermediary for the trial. Successful submission of no case to answer.

• R v SG [Basildon] 2018

  Dangerous driving

  Phoebe Bragg acted for the defence where the defendant was acquitted of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and ABH following a road traffic collision following the cross-examination of the Crown’s collision expert. Phoebe successfully excluded the evidence relating to any suggestion of drink driving.

• R v KS [Wood Green] 2018

  Multi-handed Uber fraud

  Phoebe Bragg successfully secured a suspended sentence with others receiving immediate custodial sentences, in this trial of Uber drivers in a multi-handed Uber fraud.

• R v NM [Highbury Youth Court] 2018

  Youth gang stabbing

  Phoebe Bragg represented this defendant in a trial concerning a Youth gang stabbing. Persuaded the Crown to accept a s20 GBH in lieu of a s18 GBH.

• R v AE [Lewes] 2018

  Stalking

  Phoebe Bragg represented this defendant charged with stalking with violence, involving a National Rail employee over a long period of time. The defendant received a suspended sentence.

• R v BM [Various] 2018

  Stalking

  Phoebe Bragg secured the acquittal for this defendant in two separate stalking allegations relating to the same complainant following evidence from the complainant in both trials.

• R v LT [Woolwich] 2018

  Possession of an imitation firearm

  Phoebe Bragg acted for the defence in this case of possession of an imitation firearm. Successful submissions regarding the imposition of a suspended sentence order.

• CH v MH [Birmingham County Court] 2018

  Civil harassment injunction

  Phoebe Bragg submitted a successful application for a civil harassment injunction in the County Court made ex party on the basis of written submissions.

• R v CA [Blackfriars] 2018

  Smuggling of drugs and contraband into prison

  Phoebe Bragg acts in a trial concerning the smuggling of drugs and other contraband into prison. The case is ongoing.

• R v AA [Isleworth] 2018

  Confiscation proceedings

  Phoebe Bragg secured the successful prosecution of contested confiscation proceedings relating to the proceeds of drug dealing. An order was made in the terms sought. 

• R v SB [Snaresbrook] 2018

  Multi-handed youth armed robbery

  Phoebe Bragg acted for a defendant charged in a multi-handed youth armed robbery. Successful application for a community penalty in lieu of immediate custody. 

• R v KW [Leamington Spa] 2017

  Enforcement of EU financial penalties

  Phoebe Bragg submitted a successful appeal against the cross enforcement of EU financial penalties (Austria) in the UK following legal argument regarding principles of EU law and ECHR principles on the right of appeal

• Greenwich County Council v SB [Woolwich] 2018

  Application to vacate a guilty plea

  Phoebe Bragg submitted a successful application to vacate a guilty plea following a Newton hearing and subsequent legal argument.

• R v A Ltd [Coventry] 2017

  Failing to provide information

  Phoebe Bragg  made a successful half time submission following the prosecution case on behalf of a large limited company for failing to provide information.

• R v. GG [Maidstone] 2018

  12 Counts of Rape & Sexual Activity with a Child

  Orla Daly acted alone for this defendant who faced 12 allegations against 3 complainants of Rape, sexual activity with a child, indecent assault, attempted rape and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Following a three week trial the defendant was unanimously acquitted of all 12 counts. Instructed by Matthew Nickolls of Berry & Lamberts LLP.

• R v C [Harrow] 2017

  Endangering the safety of an aircraft

  Orla Daly secured a suspended sentence for an accountant who had pleaded guilty to endangering the safety of an aircraft.

• R v S [Inner London] 2017

  Rape

  Orla Daly secured the acquittal of man with autism accused of rape by a colleague.

• R v V [Snaresbrook] 2017

  Historic child sexual offences

  Orla Daly acted for V who was accused of historic child sexual offences by three complainants. Following arguments concerning disclosure, the prosecution offered no evidence.

• R v G [Kingston] 2018

  Multiple Complainant Rape Allegations

  Orla Daly acted for the defence of an entrepreneur accused of five counts of rape against three complainants. Leader Sarah Forshaw Q.C. Instructed by Nigel Richardson of Hodge Jones Allen.

• R v. AT [Snaresbrook] 2018

  Historic child sexual offences

  Orla Daly acted for the prosecution this case involving a religious minister charged with historic child sexual offences between 1996 and 1998 committed allegedly upon the cousin of a former partner. 

• R v DL [Snaresbrook] 2018

  Multiple sexual and physical assaults on former partner

  Orla Daly acted for this defendant, a property developer accused of multiple sexual and physical assaults by a former partner, who was cleared of all charges by the jury following his trial. Instructed by Wiseman Lee Solicitors. 

• R v HM [Birmingham] 2018

  Paranoid schizophrenic charged with brutal murder by decapitation

  Paul Jackson was led by Imran Khan QC. Special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity obtained for 25 year old male with paranoid schizophrenia who killed his friend by decapitating him and then removed his eyes, tongue and four of his fingers. Instructed by IK and P solicitors.

  News report here 

• R v. T [I.L.C.C.] 2018

  Alleged Historic Sexual Assaults on young male

  Sarah Forshaw QC represented this defendant who was cleared of 13 counts of sexually assaulting a young boy between 1998 and 2004. Following a 2 week trial the defendant was acquitted of all charges. Instructed by Gary Rubin of Blackfords LLP.

• R v. M [I.L.C.C.] 2018

  Allegations of Marital Rapes and Sexual Assault

  Sarah Forshaw QC acted for this defendant who was charged with and cleared of 7 allegations of marital rape and sexual assault over a thirteen year period. Following an aborted trial in February 2018 due to disclosure problems the Crown eventually offered no evidence in September 2018, days before the second trial listing was due to commence. Instructed by Paul Morris of BCL Solicitors LLP.  

• R v O & anr [Guildford] 2018

  Possession of an offensive weapon

  Jonathan Reuben acted for this defendant who was charged with possession of an offensive weapon. The defendant was acquitted after the trial. The defendant and passenger found with knuckle duster ‘key rings’. Defendant was originally arrested on suspicion of kidnapping.

• Operation Northleigh [Isleworth] 2018

  Fraud of the Grenfell Tower victim fund

  Ben Holt prosecuted the Finance Manager of the Grenfell Finance Team. She was employed by the RBK&C to assist in providing financial assistance to victims of the Grenfell Tower disaster. However, she stole £62,062 from prepaid credit cards that were allocated to survivors of the fire. During the course of the investigation into that allegation, it transpired that the defendant had defrauded her previous employer, the NHS. Defendant received a custodial sentence of 5-and-a-half years. Instructed by SCU, London.

  BBC News Report here

  The Guardian News Report here

• Operation Newlands [C.C.C] 2018

  Murder

   Anthony Orchard QC led Danny Robinson in prosecuting four defendants for murder, in a trial that lasted 3 months. The defendants were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of murder, violent disorder and perverting the course of justice.

  News report here

  News report here

• Operation Northacre [C.C.C] 2018

  Gang related Murder

  Anthony Orchard QC led the prosecution in this gang related murder trial where a woman was killed after a bullet ricocheted off a wall and hit her.

  News report here

• R v G & ors [C.C.C] 2018

  Murder [Trial and subsequent Retrial]

  Anthony Orchard QC prosecuted this trial and retrial for murder. Two defendants were convicted of murder and another of perverting the course of justice. The victim had been repeatedly stabbed and slashed in his home before he managed to stagger 200 ft down the road, where he subsequently died.

  News report here

• R v J [C.C.C] 2018

  Manslaughter of childhood friend

  Anthony Orchard QC appeared for the Crown at the Old Bailey, where the defendant pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the first day of his trial. The defendant was sentenced to 14 years and nine months imprisonment. The victim and defendant were childhood friends and had arranged to meet at the time of the incident to settle their unresolved tensions. The victim died by a single stab wound to the chest.

• R v. G [Maidstone] 2018

  False Imprisonment and Torture

  Paul Jackson acted for the defence of a male who falsely imprisoned and then tortured the victim. The assault included slashing and then holding a hot iron to the victim’s face. Instructed by T.S. Law

  News report here

• R v W & ors [C.C.C] 2018

  14 year old cleared of Murder

  Charlotte Newell, together with Mark Cotter QC successfully defended a 14 year old boy accused of Murder, possession of an offensive weapon and attempted GBH. Client was alleged to have been one of a group armed with zombie knives and an axe who attacked two young men on a London street. Found not guilty after trial of all charges.. Instructed by Lisa Towell of Blackfords Solicitors.

  News report here

• Operation Patipo [Woolwich] 2018

  Large Scale Importation of firearms, ammunition and Class A drugs

  Charlotte Newell represented this young woman accused of conspiracy to possess firearms and live ammunition with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to possess large amounts of Class A drugs importing them in to the UK via the Eurotunnel. Found not guilty on all charges after trial. Instructed by Bark and Co

• R v E [Snaresbrook] 2018

  Sc18 GBH, Witness Intimidation and Possession of an Offensive Weapon

  Jonathan Reuben represented this 17 year old defendant with extensive previous convictions. The defendant pleaded guilty to witness intimidation and possession an offensive weapon before the trial, and was acquitted following a trial of two further counts. The case involved CCTV and cross-examination of complainant and independent eye witness.

• R v. R.B [Shrewsbury] 2018

  Alleged Rape of woman met on "Ashley Madison" dating site

  Sarah Forshaw QC represented this professional man whom was alleged to have raped and sexually assaulted a young woman he had met using the 'Ashley Madison' dating site for married people. RB was cleared of all charges following a successful half time submission. Instructed by Paul Morris of BCL Solicitors LLP.

• G.M.C. v. Dr S 2018

  Contested Fitness to Practice Hearing before the MPTS

  Sarah Forshaw QC successfully represented this Doctor on his full hearing at the MPTS re: fitness to practice. Following a four day contested hearing the tribunal found no 'adverse findings'. Instructed by Zahir Ahmed of ABV Solicitors.

• R v KW [Woolwich] 2018

  "Loss of Control" Murder

  Alistair MacDonald QC led James Martin. This case involved the defence of “loss of control” and raised the very difficult question of how a Jury has to approach the three stage test in a case where the violence used was so extreme. In such circumstances the true complexity of answering the final question was exposed. Where the Jury finds there was a loss of control based on a qualifying trigger: are they sure that a reasonable person in the defendant’s circumstances would not have reacted in the same or a similar way?

  Considering what a reasonable person who has lost his self-control might do in unusual and difficult circumstances is a very hard task indeed when the Court of Appeal have offered so little assistance on the topic. Instructed by EBR Attridge.

• Operation Pleach [St Albans] 2018

  Multi-Handed Courier Fraud

  James Martin represented the defendant in this multi-handed courier fraud. Operation PLEACH was a Hertfordshire Police investigation into a series of 36 courier fraud offences committed across England between the 1st March and 29th November 2016.

  This was another case in which the Crown wrongly indicted a global conspiracy when there were clearly multiple and separate agreements between various defendants. As a result the Crown had to concede the position and substantially change the indictment meaning that DA was no longer charged with any Conspiracy count at all. Instructed by Bark & Co.

• R v. NT & ors [Maidstone] 2018

  Drink & Drugs fueled Killing of Kent Man

  Jonathan Higgs QC leading James Martin for Goldkorns Solicitors. Three people were charged with Murder following the discovery of a body left in the stairwell of a block of flats in Chatham. The deceased and the three charged were known drug users and the death had occurred in a nearby flat occupied by one of the accused.

  The previous few days were carefully pieced back together by the investigatory team using a combination of CCTV footage, eye witness accounts and call records as well as some footage from mobile phones.

  There were complex issues of causation due to the post-mortem findings and in particular the neuro-pathology results. Besides the factual complications there were also issues relating to identification and also joint-enterprise.

• R v. Levi BELLFIELD [C.C.C.] 2008

  Prosecution of Serial Killer

  Mark Heywood QC together with the then First Senior Treasury Counsel, acted for the Crown in this prosecution of the notorious Serial Killer Levi Bellfield for the murders of the 22 year old French Student Amelie Delagrange and the 19 year old woman Marsha McDonnell as well as the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy. In 2011 Bellfield was convicted of the murder of Milly Dowler and sentenced to a whole life tariff. 

  Wikipedia entry here.

• R v. Bell [Reading] 2018

  First CID prosecution under s.53 RIPA 2000

  Fiona Ryan acted for the Crown in the first (CID) prosecution under s.53 RIPA 2000.  The defendant, suspected of possession of indecent images of children, failed to comply with a s.49 requirement to provide the password to an encrypted drive.  The defendant was sentenced to 9 months’ imprisonment and Sexual Risk Order imposed.  

• Operation Eric [Chelmsford] 2018

  £3.6m Alcohol duty & VAT evasion fraud

  William Davis led Dickon Reid in the prosecution of five defendants charged with a £3.6m alcohol duty and VAT evasion fraud. The ringleaders were importing beer, wine and spirits from Europe using sophisticated mirror loads. Evidentially, the case was complicated and comprised numerous strands including surveillance, phone evidence, CCTV, business records and expert evidence relating to cell site, handwriting and tachographs. The two leading defendants received sentences close to the statutory maximum. Instructed by CPS Special Casework.

  News Report Here

• R v. S [Westminster] 2018

  Alleged assault of fashion designer to Cara Delevinge

  Jeffrey Israel successfully defended a high profile case where it was alleged that the boyfriend of the fashion designer to socialite Cara Delevigne repeatedly assaulted her and controlled her. Following legal argument the case against Jeffrey’s client was dropped and he was acquitted of all charges.

  News report here 

• Kent Trading Standards v. ADRIVEFORLIFE.COM [Maidstone] 2018

  Fraud by False Representation and Money Laundering

  Pauline Thompson successfully prosecuted the director of ADRIVEFORLIFE.COM who pleaded guilty to 19 counts of Fraud and one count of Money Laundering. He was sentenced to 38 months imprisonment and disqualified from acting as a company director for 4 years.

  News report here

• R v. Rekaya [Isleworth] 2018

  Prosecution of £90,000 Grenfell fraudster

  Catherine Farrelly successfully prosecuted a man who ran up nearly £90,000 in accommodation and travel costs, after pretending to be a victim of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

  He was sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment.

  The news report may be found here.

• R v. Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd [Maidstone] 2018

  Health & Safety Breaches by Network Rail

  William Davis prosecuted Network Rail for breaches of health and safety regulations at East Farleigh Level Crossing following an accident in which a signaller was seriously injured. The trial involved complex expert evidence about the process of risk assessment at level crossings and the mathematical modelling used. The jury heard evidence from signallers working at East Farleigh, their line managers, and from Network Rail’s director of public and passenger safety. Network Rail were convicted at trial and fined £200,000.

  Media reports:

  BBC News

  Kent Online

• R v. McLeod & ors [Croydon] 2018

  £700K fraud against the Redundancy Payments Service

  William Davis led in the prosecution of a group of accountants who committed a £700K fraud against the Redundancy Payments Service (RPS), a government agency that makes payments to workers owed money when their employers become insolvent. The Defendants arranged for 105 false applications to be submitted, in some cases supported by false identifies and forged documents. This was the first ever prosecution for fraud against the RPS. In a separate investigation, William Davis again led in the prosecution of Lennox McLeod for a VAT fraud committed during the same period as the RPS case. The defendant took over the VAT affairs of a company after the death of its director and falsely claimed over £100K in VAT refunds.

  HMRC press release here:

   

• R v. Wojtkowiak [Maidstone] 2018

  £1m Revenue Fraud Operation

  William Davis acted for the crown in this case that was a revenue fraud prosecution and instructed by the CPS Specialist Fraud Division. The Defendant was a Polish lorry driver caught with four million cigarettes concealed in a lorry carrying parts for a destined for a major car plant in the UK. The total revenue evaded was over £1M. 

• R v. OH [Isleworth] 2018

  Manslaughter of homeless man at Westminster Shelter

  James Brown acted for the Crown in this trial involving the the killing of a homeless man at Westminster Shelter following a drunken argument.

  News report here. 

• R v. O & ors [Wood Green] 2018

  "County Lines" Drugs Conspiracy

  James Brown was lead Counsel for the Crown in this “County lines” drugs conspiracy, 5 week trial in August 2018. 

  News report here.

• R v. F & ors [Southwark] 2018

  Importation of 100 kilos of cocaine by helicopter

  James Brown was leading Counsel for the Crown in this case involving the Importation of 100 kilos of cocaine by helicopter, landing at luxury hotels in Kent.  

  News report here.

• R v. K & ors [Snaresbrook] 2018

  Multi Kilo class A Drugs conspiracy

  James Brown prosecuted this East London organised crime network for a Multi-kilo class A drugs conspiracy at a 5 week trial at Snaresbrook CC in January 2018.

• R v Y [Snaresbrook] 2018

  Armed robbery and Blackmail

  Nick Robinson acted for this young defendant who was accused of armed robbery and blackmail committed against a boy who went to his school. The case was dismissed at the conclusion of the prosecution case and the defendant was acquitted of all charges. Instructed by Phil Emery of Emery Halil & Brown.

• R v JP [Snaresbrook] 2018

  Supply of Cocaine

  Nick Robinson acted for this defendant accused of conspiring to supply 3kg of highly pure cocaine into the Isle of Dogs. Instructed by Duncan Frost of Foxes Solicitors.

• R v X [Central Criminal Court] 2018

  Conspiracy to commit GBH with intent

  Nick Robinson acted for this 16 year old defendant who was accused of conspiring to commit GBH with intent. The case concerned a large fight outside a 16th birthday party in east London, which escalated to the point that the victim was fatally stabbed by a co-defendant. The defendant was said to be part of group who chased the victim before attacking him when he fell to the ground. Instructed by Talia Coles of Edwards Duthie.

  News report here

• R v. KS [Croydon] 2019

  Sexual activity with a child

  Phoebe Bragg was instructed for the defence in this matter involving Sexual Activity with a Child. Phoebe made a successful application to exclude the Crown’s evidence in relation to age on the basis that it did not satisfactorily amount to “expert” evidence. This lead the Crown to offer no evidence on the more serious s.9 SOA 2003 offence. Instructed by Blackfords LLP.

• R v. GJ [Youth Court] 2019

  Sexual assault trial on a child under the age of 15

  Phoebe Bragg was instructed in this Sexual assault trial on a child under the age of 15. The trial involved ABE evidence and cross-examination of a child with autism. Instructed by Bark & Co Solicitors.

• R v. SC [Magistrates Court] 2018

  Outraging public decency in relation to a child under the age of 16

  Phoebe Bragg was instructed in this matter involving outraging public decency in relation to a child under the age of 16. The defendant was acquitted of the offence in the magistrates’ court after trial. Instructed by Joseph Hill Solicitors.

• R v JN [Isleworth] 2018

  Rape of ex-wife and two daughters

  Ben Holt, instructed by the RASSO Unit at the CPS and led by Catherine Pattison. Trial of defendant who was accused of raping his ex-wife and two daughters. Convicted and sentenced to a custodial sentence of 27 years with an extension period of 8 years.

• Operation Pearland [Isleworth] 2018

  £7 million Ponzi Fraud Scheme

  Ben Holt led Junior counsel in Prosecution of two defendants accused of a ‘Ponzi’ fraud. Losses amongst the defendants exceeded £7m. Both defendants convicted after trial. Both received the maximum sentence available – 10 years’ imprisonment.

• Operation Major [Guildford] 2019

  Multi handed conspiracy to money launder and commit fraud

  Jonathan Polnay led Ben Holt for the Crown in this seven-handed conspiracy to launder the proceeds of a two-million-pound fraud. Instructed by CPS Specialist Fraud Division.

• Operation Italici [C.C.C] 2019

  Importation of Anabolic Steroids from India & Singapore

  Ben Holt has successfully prosecuted a case involving the importation of unlicensed anabolic steroids (AAS) from India and Singapore. The gang imported more than 40 tonnes of illicit anabolic steroids and is said to be ‘the most prolific of its kind ever uncovered'. One member of that gang was also linked to another gang involved in the production and distribution of steroids from an underground AAS factory in the United Kingdom. Five Defendants were convicted following two six week trials. 

  Instructed by the CPS Organised Crime Division; investigated by the NCA in Belfast.

  News Report Here

  News Report Here

• R v. John Worboys [C.C.C.] 2019

  Further prosecution of notorious black-cab driver for drugging passengers with sexual intent

  Jonathan Polnay, led by Duncan Penny QC prosecuted the notorious black-cab driver for drugging a further four passengers with sexual intent. All the women made their allegations to the police in early 2018, shortly after the Parole Board announced it had decided he was fit to leave prison after serving less than nine years of an indeterminate sentence, plus time spent on remand.

  News article here

• R v. Drenova [C.C.C] 2019

  Prosecution of Lithuanian serial-killer

  Jonathan Polnay, led by Tim Cray QC, acted for the Prosecution in this case involving a serial killer nicknamed Scarface who went on a bloody crime spree across Europe. He was jailed for at least 20 years for his fifth murder.

  News article here

• R v Abdi-Jalebi [Southwark] 2018

  Multi-million pound renewable energy research fraud committed by Cambridge academic

  Jonathan Polnay proescuted this Cambridge University academic who carried out a £2.5 million fraud in government grants. Dr. Ehsan Abdi-Jalebi, 38, a former engineering student and Bye-Fellow at the university, used faked documents to siphon off money into his own accounts from funding allocated to the development of renewable energy projects.

  News article here.

• R v Freddy David [Southwark] 2018

  Prosecution of financial advisor for £15m fraud on clients

  Jonathan Polnay prosecuted this rougue financial advisor who stole nearly £15 million from wealthy clients to fund his gambling addiction and pay his children’s school fees.

  News article here.

• R v Ngueyn [Southwark] 2018

  Grenfell Tower Fraud

  Jonathan Polnay prosecuted this serial fraudster who has been jailed for 21 months after he pretended his wife and son were killed in the Grenfell Tower fire in a “despicable” attempt to pocket £12,500 set aside for victims of the disaster.

  News article here. 

• R v. KK & 5 ors [C.C.C.] 2019

  Murder of Sierra Leone teacher in South London Arson Attack

  Natasha Wong QC and Valeria Swift secured the acquittal of their client, an autistic teenager with severe learning disabilities, at the end of a 12 week murder trial involving six defendants at the Old Bailey. A woman became the innocent victim of a drugs feud when she died in an arson attack just hours before she was due to return home to Sierra Leone. The 46 year old Teacher, was staying with relatives in Woolwich, South East London, when the blaze broke out. Client found not guilty of joint enterprise murder, manslaughter and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to multiple victims. Instructed by Jatinder Sokhal of TBW Solicitors.

• Operation Suina [Kingston] 2019

  £8m nationwide Drug Supply operation

  Charlotte Newell led Dickon Reid in this 2 month Prosecution of an organised crime network involving 11 Defendants for a multi-million pound nationwide Class A drug dealing operation, the proceeds of which were laundered through a series of sham companies.

  News report here.

• R v. Donovan & Woolcock [C.C.C.] 2019

  Loss of control murder

  Anthony Orchard QC led Charlotte Newell for the prosecution in a murder trial involving two cousins for the murder of their great uncle. The first defendant alleged loss of self-control; both defendants convicted following a trial.

  BBC report here.

• R v. KM & 2 ors [C.C.C.] 2019

  Enfield murder & attempted murder by Shooting

  Jonathan Higgs QC successfully defended this client who was acquitted of the joint enterprise murder of an North London student who was stabbed multiple times and shot following a late night altercation. A second victim survived multiple stab wounds. The two other defendants were convicted and sentenced to serve a minimum of 29 years each. Instructed by Phaedon Georgiou of Joseph Hill Solicitors.

  News report here.

• R v IH & Ors [Kingston] 2019

  Multi-handed conspiracy to defraud the immigration authorities

  Phoebe Bragg defended in a 17-handed conspiracy by Bangladeshi nationals to defraud the immigration authorities and obtain visas using fake documents. The multi-layered fraud involved both the UK and US immigration authorities.

• R v [Youth] 2019

  Numerous sexual assaults involving children under the age of 15

  Phoebe successfully sought a referral order in a case involving multiple sexual assaults. Instructed by BCL Solicitors.  

• R v [VD] [Isleworth] 2019

  Fraud involving the sale of a Lucien Freud painting of Francis Bacon

  Phoebe Bragg successfully prosecuted in a fraud involving the Defendant purporting to be in possession of a genuine Lucien Freud painting of Francis Bacon, stolen in the 1980’s from a Berlin Gallery, and offering it for sale. 

• R v M (Central Criminal Court) 2019

  s.18 GBH &Threatening with a Bladed Article

  Acquitted following two retrials.

• R v K (Southwark Crown Court) 2019

  Theft & Breach of Trust

  Defendant failed to attend his trial – acquitted after trial on a lack of dishonesty defence.

• R v T (Inner London Crown Court) 2019

  Bladed Article

  Defendant had discarded the knife under a car. He gave no comment interview. Acquitted after trial on basis of reasonable excuse.

• R v V (St Albans Crown Court) 2019

  Bladed Article

  Found outside a house party in possession of a knife in his ruck sack. Acquitted after trial on basis of knowledge.

• R v S (Kingston-upon-Thames) 2019

  s.18 GBH

  Domestic incident, which resulted in girlfriend falling down the stairs and breaking her neck. Acquitted after trial. This was a retrial from earlier in the year, privately paid.

• R v P (Central Criminal Court) 2019

  Bladed Article

  Found in possession of large knife in his ruck sack at the Notting Hill carnival. Acquitted after trial on basis of knowledge.

• R v N-H (Luton Crown Court) 2019

  Bladed Article

  Stopped by police with knife under the seat of his car. Acquitted after trial on basis of reasonable excuse.

• R v H (Croydon Crown Court) 2019

  Bladed Article

  Arrested at 2am with a Stanley knife. Acquitted after trial on basis of reasonable excuse. Jury returned verdict in less than 10 minutes.

• R v C (Maidstone Crown Court) 2018

  s18 GBH

  Fight between two friends. Acquitted after trial on the grounds of self-defence.

• R v E (Snaresbrook Crown Court) 2018

  s.18 GBH

  Possession offensive weapon, witness intimidation, having a bladed article, criminal damage – 17 year old defendant with extensive previous pleaded guilty to witness intimidation and possession offensive weapon before trial acquitted following trial of two further counts.  CCTV and cross-examination of complainant and independent eye witness.

• R v O & One Other (Guildford Crown Court) 2018

  Possession of Offensive Weapon

  Acquitted after trial.  Defendant and passenger found with knuckle duster ‘key rings’. Originally arrested on suspicion of kidnapping.

• R v AN (Blackfriars Crown Court) 2018

  Handling Stolen Goods

  Acquitted after three day trial.  Defendant took an Apple laptop that he paid £100 for to a repair shop two days after it was stolen.

• R v C (Croydon Crown Court) 2018

  Actual Bodily Harm

  Acquitted after three day trial despite two eye witnesses including one independent witness.

• R v D (Basildon Crown Court) 2016

  Burglary and Possession of Firearms

  Defendant received a fifteen month custodial sentence for five dwelling burglaries, possession of an imitation firearm and possession of live ammunition.

• R v A-A (Inner London Crown Court 2017

  Theft from Employer

  Acquitted after three day trial following cross-examination of an eye witness.

• R v L (Aylesbury Crown Court) 2017

  Theft

  Jury directed to acquit after a successful half time submission at the close of the defence case, the Learned Judge accepted there was no case to answer.

• 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Shariashvili & 6 Ors [Isleworth CC] 2019

  Consp to Facilitate Illegal Immigration in the UK (Trial 1)

  Mr Martin was leading Counsel for D1 with Peter Eguae as his Junior. This case (Operation MANDEBRAS) related to a Home Office Investigation into a suspected Organised Crime Group facilitating persons into the UK, through abuse of the ‘common travel area’ with the Republic of Ireland.

  Legal issues involved consideration of the underlying immigration offences relied upon by the Crown, Cross-admissibility as between the different counts and whether the Crown had fallen foul of indicting a single conspiracy when it appeared that there were multiple agreements at play.

  Following extensive legal argument at the close of the Crown’s case (and the close of all the evidence) the indictment was left with only one substantive offence against the main defendants for the Jury to consider from what had been significantly wider allegations. As a result the Jury were discharged and a retrial was ordered for that one remaining Count against the 4 defendants.

• R v Abubakar Salim & ors [Blackfriars Crown Court] 2019

  Fraud and Money Laundering

  Mr Martin was leading Counsel for Mr Salim. The case centred around the activities of two men who worked at high street banks who assisted another in creating a significant number of sham bank account for the use in a transfer fraud. The legal issues involved the proper application of the definition of “Criminal Property” following cases such as R v GH [2015] UKSC 24 and R v Loizou [2005] 2 Cr App R 37.

• Operation Banjax [Southwark] 2019

  £Multi-Million MTIC Fraud

  James Martin, leading Ben Holt, were instructed on behalf of Mr Aslam by Bark & Co Solicitors.

  The case was an MTIC Fraud which was part and parcel of Import Duty Diversion on Beers, Wines and Spirits. According to HMRC the OCG were accountable for significant losses to the UK Exchequer through associated large scale VAT and Excise duty frauds. The group also conducted a substantial money laundering operation in relation to the proceeds of these crimes which was believed to be in excess of £86 million.

  13 different individuals were said to be involved along with a whole host of MTIC and Buffer companies some of which sold on the BWS to end user Cash & Carries who were never investigated.

  The case was split into two trials with Mr Aslam D1 in Trial 2. As the case developed there were significant issues with the evidence and associated disclosure problems which related to material that had been withheld by HMRC and should have been disclosed far in advance of the trial itself. After considerable legal argument in Mr Aslam’s case we were able to restrict the alleged loss to HMRC to less than £7k.

  Ultimately Mr Aslam was convicted but only received a Suspended Sentence Order. ​

• Operation Gwendreath [Southwark] 2019

  Money laundering

  Rupert Kent was instructed by the CPS Complex Casework Unit as a led junior in this 18-handed conspiracy to convert criminal property prosecution. The case comprised 8,000 pages of evidence and 270 witnesses, and was split into four trials.

• R v T & 2 ors [Court of Appeal Criminal Division] 2019

  Firearms

  Rupert Kent was instructed by the CPS Appeals & Review Unit as a junior alone to respond in this 3-handed appeal against conviction. The appeal related to the admission of, and directions relating to, wide-ranging gang evidence.

• Operation Auxin [Maidstone] 2019

  Fraud

  Rupert Kent was instructed as leading counsel by the CPS Specialist Fraud Division in a 7-handed fraudulent evasion prosecution investigated by Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs. The case involved complicating fitness-to-plead considerations.

• Operation Cranfield [Southwark] 2019

  Confiscation

  Rupert Kent was instructed by the CPS Complex Casework Unit as a junior alone in confiscation proceedings arising from a £7m drug importation prosecution in which he had appeared as a led junior. The POCA proceedings involved use of a European Investigation Order to gather information from Belgium relating to a pre-existing foreign confiscation order.

• Operation W 2019

  Money laundering

  Rupert Kent was instructed by the SFO to give legal professional privilege advice in relation to material seized during the search of a solicitors firm, members of which were being investigated for the layering of criminal profit through international client accounts.

• Operation Mutisia [C.C.C.] 2019

  Money laundering

  Rupert Kent was instructed as leading counsel by the CPS International Justice and Organised Crime Division to prosecute a money laundering case relating to £6m worth of the proceeds of numerous international invoice diversion frauds. This case arose out of a large multi-jurisdictional National Crime Agency investigation, and comprised 6,000 pages of served evidence.

• R v A 2019

  Asset restraint

  Rupert Kent was instructed by the CPS Proceeds of Crime unit to make an ex parte restraint application under s.41 POCA 2002 (relying on ss.40 & 22), as a precursor to a s.22 application for recalculation of the available amount in confiscation proceedings.

• Operation Wintergreen [Southwark] 2019

  Investment fraud

  Rupert Kent was instructed as junior counsel by the CPS Specialist Fraud Division in a conspiracy to defraud case arising from a large-scale, complicated, carbon credits ‘investments’ scam leading to £2.4m worth of loss, and comprising over 15,000 pages of evidence.

• R v P [Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court] 2018

  Insolvency

  Rupert Kent was instructed as junior alone by the Insolvency Service to prosecute a defendant accused of a s.354 Insolvency Act 1986 concealing property offence, arising from the removal of property after the making of a bankruptcy order, itself arising from an initial failure to pay taxes to HMRC.

• R v. K [Lewes] 2019

  Stalking through Facebook, involving 74,000 pages of computer extracts

  Sam Willis, led by Paul Walker, defended in this five-week trial involving allegations of stalking. The prosecution evidence consisted of 74,000 pages of Facebook extracts and computer downloads. The ability to analyse large quantities of digital evidence was crucial to the defence case - it led to a 40-page defence bundle being placed before the jury to provide context and balance to the 550-page prosecution bundles.

• Operation Baghrash [Bristol] 2019

  Conspiracy to defraud the N.H.S and D.o.H

  Ben Holt appeared in this 8-week, seven-handed, prosecution trial acting as led junior. Allegations related to the application to the Department of Health for grants in order to improve care homes by a Hospice in Somerset. Seven-handed conspiracy to defraud the NHS and DoH in relation to tenders made for building projects. Instructed by CPS SFD Manchester.

• R v. T [Durham] 2019

  Allegation of Sexual Assault in University Halls of Residence

  Sarah Forshaw QC successfully persuaded the prosecution to offer no evidence on second day of this sexual assault trial following ongoing evidential and disclosure issues. The defendant had been accused of sexually assaulting a fellow student in the Halls of Residence. Instructed by Andy Malik of DJMS Solicitors.

• R v. O [Isleworth] 2019

  Allegations of Historic rape & sexual assaults

  Sarah Forshaw QC was privately instructed to represent a music producer who faced 8 counts alleging historic child cruelty, indecent assault and rape. Following a 3 week trial the jury unanimously acquitted on all counts. Instructed by Zahir Ahmed of Gentle Mathias Solicitors.

• R v. Petrovic & ors [C.C.C.] 2019

  Murder of Essex Schoolgirl Jodie Chesney

  Sarah Forshaw QC represented the first of four defendants in the high profile Jodie Chesney murder trial. Following the highly publicised 8 week trial Miss Forshaw’s client was acquitted of both murder and manslaughter. Instructed by Sunita Mehta of ABV Solicitors.

  BBC News report here.

• R v. EG [C.O.A.] 2019

  Multiple Allegations of BDSM Rape

  Sarah Forshaw QC successfully overturned the appellant’s convictions in the Court of Appeal Criminal Division in a case involving allegations of BDSM rape. The original trial attracted considerable media attention and involved multiple complainants. Instructed by Nigel Richardson of Hodge Jones Allen.

• PS, Abdi Dahir, CF v R [2019] EWCA Crim 2286 2019

  Guidance about sentencing offenders with mental health conditions or disorders

  Peter Eguae successful in appeal against sentence for a serious section 18 GBH, following a sustained attack to the victim’s face and neck with a broken glass bottle. Successfully argued that previously undiagnosed mental health issues reduced the appellant’s culpability. 14-years reduced to 10-years.

  The judgement by the Lord Chief Justice, LJ Fulford and LJ Holroyde contains guidance about sentencing offenders with mental health conditions or disorders (PS, Abdi Dahir, CF v R [2019] EWCA Crim 2286).

  Instructed by Joe Davis of National Legal Service Solicitors.

• R v Muhammed Hussain [C.C.C.] 2019

  Murder

  William Davis was Junior Prosecution Counsel (led by Louis Mably QC) in prosecution for murder of a Defendant who stabbed his neighbour after a confrontation in the street. 

  News report here.

   

• R v Anwar Hussain & ors [Southwark] 2019

  MTIC Fraud

  Jonathan Polnay led William Davis in this long running MTIC fraud involving five companies and tax losses of around £13M. There were multiple trading chains supported by a wealth of forged documentation, and the proceeds of the fraud were transferred offshore via banks in Eastern Europe and Hong Kong. 

• R v Jalal Uddin [C.C.C.] 2019

  Murder of wife by stabbing

  Danny Robinson QC led William Davis in this prosecution for murder of a Defendant who stabbed his wife at least 58 times in an attack described by the pathologist as involving “extreme” force.

  News Report Here.

   

• R v. Michael Weir [C.C.C.] 2019

  Groundbreaking Double Jeopardy Murder

  Louise Oakley was the led junior for the Crown led by Tom Little QC before Mrs Justice McGowan at the Central Criminal Court. The defendant was charged with two separate murders committed in 1998 of Leonard Harris and Rose Seferian. Case made legal history when Weir was convicted as he is the first person ever to be convicted of the same murder twice! 

  Weir was originally convicted in July 1999 of the murder of Leonard Harris. That conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal in 2000 on the basis that a DNA profile on the DNA database used for comparative purposes should not have been retained.  In 2017 a match was found between Weir’s palm print at the Seferian crime scene. That in turn led to a reinvestigation of the Harris murder where it was discovered that a palm print inside the Harris’s home address matched Weir and advances in DNA meant that new DNA evidence was also found.

  Prosecution put to strict proof re continuity of palm prints found a both crime scenes involving a painstaking analysis of historical records held by the fingerprint bureau.

  BBC news report here.

• R v. Gordon Park [C.O.A.] 2019

  Lady in the Lake murder trial

  Louise Oakley was Junior Prosecution Counsel led by Richard Whittam QC before Lady Justice Sharp, Mr Justice Sweeney and Mrs Justice May in response to the CCRC’s  Referral  of the “Lady in Lake” case which was one of the UK’s longest murder enquires.

  Carol Park went missing on 17 July 1976, and was never seen alive again by her family. In 1997, her body was discovered by divers in Coniston Water.  She was nicknamed "the Lady in the Lake” by detectives. Carol Park’s husband (Gordon Park) was convicted of her murder in 2005. He appealed against his conviction, nut it was dismissed in 2008. Just over a year later, Gordon Park killed himself on his 65th birthday in his cell at HMP Garth.

  Gordon Park’s family applied on his behalf to the CCRC and following an eight year investigation they referred the case in 2018 to the Court of Appeal on the basis that there was a real possibility the Court of Appeal will consider the conviction is unsafe. The CCRC cited the cumulative effect of a number of issues, including the non-disclosure of expert opinion undermining the prosecution’s assertion that Gordon Park’s climbing axe could be the murder weapon, new scientific evidence showing that Gordon Park was not a contributor of DNA preserved within knots of the rope used to bind his wife’s body, non-disclosure of information undermining the reliability of a prosecution witness who gave evidence of a prison confession and a renewed assertion that a rock found in the lake near Carol Park’s remains could not specifically be linked to rocks at Bluestones, the family home, should be reassessed.

  The Appeal involved the instruction of forensic scientists, forensic pathologists and forensic odontologists and a review of legal, dental and medical records going back to 1976.

  BBC news report here.

• R v M [CCC] 2019

  s.18 GBH and Threatening with a Bladed Article

  Acquitted following two retrials.

• R v. G & ors [Southwark] 2019

  Conspiring to defraud the Legal Aid Agency and perverting the course of justice

  Natasha Wong QC leading Merry Van Woodenberg of 2 Hare Court acted for a Compliance Manager acquitted of conspiring to defraud the Legal Aid Agency and perverting the course of justice. The defendant was the Compliance Manager of a London firm of immigration solicitors who was alleged to have played a central role in a scheme to create and submit fraudulent claims to the Legal Aid Agency ( LAA, previously the Legal Services Commission) over a 6 year period. The Compliance Manager , a former employee of the LAA, was also said to have been instrumental in misleading them through correspondence and telephone calls during the course of the  investigation. The Crown had alleged the firm made over 4000 fraudulent claims on behalf of bogus clients, creating convincing forgeries of documents belonging to genuine clients in support of purported genuine  applications to the Home Office . This scheme comprised 40% of the firm’s income from the Legal Aid Agency over that period. The Crown’s had estimated the total value of the fraud at about £4 million.The client was acquitted by the jury in under an hour of deliberations. 

  The principals of the firm were convicted of the conspiracy last year.

  Instructed by Graeme Hydari of Hodge Jones and Allen. 

   

• Operation Zajic [Southwark] 2019

  £Multi-Million Charity Fraud

  Sarah Forshaw QC acted in this Multi-million pound charity fraud. Our client, a Rabbi, was said to have facilitated the laundering of millions of pounds using Chabad UK Charities as a front for his illegal activities, the accounts it is alleged, were used to process the proceeds of sales of counterfeit, prescription or unlicensed medication sold online. The money was thereafter withdrawn through currency exchanges, payments to Money Service Bureaus, cheques, withdrawn in cash. 234 transfers totalling £8.4 million were sent to 51 different entities based overseas, predominantly in Hong Kong and Cyprus to remove the money from the UK. Instructed by ABV Solicitors.

• Operation Buster [Leicester Crown Court] 2020

  Drugs Importation & Supply

  Rupert Kent was instructed by ABV Solicitors as a junior alone in this 11-handed drugs conspiracy case, involving the largescale importation and wholesale supply of drugs into and throughout the United Kingdom. The case comprised 12,000 pages of evidence, and this trial (one of four) was listed for 12 weeks.

• R v. D [Wood Green] 2020

  Murder of friend following drink & drugs orgy

  Natasha Wong QC and Valeria Swift successfully defended man accused of murdering his friend in a fight following a night of drink and drug taking. The deceased suffered from significant heart disease and traumatic brain injury. Case involved exploration of issue of causation with evidence from numerous leading medical experts, including neuro-pathologists, cardiologists, histo-pathologists, toxicologists and forensic pathologists. Instructed by Ben Thomas of Sternberg Reed.

• Operation Pescara [Blackfriars] 2019

  Carbon Credits & Diamond Fraud

  Gregory Fishwick was instructed to defend a senior broker in a financial institution who was accused with others of conspiracy to defraud. The allegation was that pressured sales techniques were used to convince generally elderly people to invest in firstly carbon credits and later diamonds.  In fact, the investments were either worthless or significantly of a lesser value than indicated.   Gregory lead a solicitor from the firm who instructed him and the Defendant was acquitted by the jury.

• Rv. RB [Snaresbrook] 2019

  Gangland Kidnapping

  Gregory Fishwick acted in this case involving an allegation of gangland kidnap by a serious crime group from Eastern Europe.  The complainant was said to have been taken from his car and bundled into another by a group of men.  After a painstaking trawl of unused CCTV, it was shown that this simply could not have happened.  Further, after a number of section 8 applications, disclosure was obtained that cast doubt on the complainant’s veracity due to ongoing mental health problems.  The Judge stopped the case at the conclusion of the Crown’s evidence.

• R v. JO’C [Kingston] 2019

  £1m Fraud

  Gregory Fishwick acted for this Defendant who was one of three people accused of defrauding a vulnerable elderly male of his life savings and his home to a total value of over £1Million.  His name had appeared on the original conveyance file as the purchaser at a significant undervalue (£20,000) and he was also identified as being involved in the later transfer of title.  Despite both other Defendants pleading guilty during the course of the trial, Gregory secured a unanimous acquittal for his client. Instructed by Paul Martin Solicitors.

• R v. IT & anr [Woolwich] 2020

  Kidnap

  Gregory Fishwick acted for this Defendant who along with another had been charged with kidnapping a young investment guru, who had brokered multi-million pound deals with a number of people. The investors had seen no returns for their monies and had lost all their capital.  The Defendant had taken on a near half million debt to collect and used social media and a honey trap to corner the complainant.  The Crown applied under the bad character provisions of the Criminal Justice Act to play the jury an episode of TV journalist Donal McIntyre’s criminal underworld programme that focused on this Defendant.  This was resisted and rejected by the Judge. 

  Through persistent applications for disclosure of phone records, CCTV and most importantly bank statements it could be shown that the complainant was a serial fraudster who had lied throughout his account to the police and, most importantly, to the jury. Both Defendants were acquitted after a two-week trial within less than an hour. Instructed by Bark & Co Solicitors.

• R v. SK & anr [Snaresbrook] 2020

  Facilitating sexual activity with a child

  Gregory Fishwick acted in this case that involved an allegation of facilitating sexual activity with a child by two Defendants. SK was a political asylum seeker who allowed his co-defendant to stay in his home office providing accommodation with two fourteen-year-old girls.  It was alleged that SK engaged in sexual activity with both children and facilitated similar activity with his co-defendant.  He was unanimously acquitted by the jury but his co-defendant was acquitted. Instructed by Emery Halil Brown.

• R v. N [Newcastle] 2020

  12-handed conspiracy to evade £2.6m duty on tobacco

  Sam Willis was instructed as led-junior in this 12-handed tobacco importation matter. The overall duty evaded was calculated to be over £2.6 million. Preparation for the case required extensive analysis of mobile telephone billing data.

• Operation Hillside [CCC] 2020

  Attempted Murder of Police Officers

  James Brown led Ben Holt for the Crown in this high profile trial involving the attempted murder of Police Officers during a gun fight following an armed ‘car jacking’. The defendant was convicted by a jury and received a life sentence.

  News report here. 

  Link to Met Police report.

• Operation Tennyson [Southwark] 2020

  International 'Phishing' Fraud

  Jeffery Israel led Phoebe Bragg in this 5 month case involving over 250,000 pages of evidence.  Defendants accused of international ‘phishing’ fraud and subsequent money laundering. Vast quantities of banking and telephone evidence as the monies were layered from the UK, onto Nigeria via China, giving rise to multi-jurisdictional issues and disclosure requests.

• R v. Biomy & Yusuf [Inner London] 2020

  Gangland Revenge Killing

  William Davis was Junior Prosecution Counsel (led by Brian O’Neill QC) in a gang-related murder, carried out in revenge for the attempted murder of the main Defendant by members of a rival gang.

  News report here.

• R v. C [Guildford] 2020

  Supplying software to 'DDOS' websites and gaming servers

  Sam Willis defended in this computer misuse and money laundering case. The offences involved the supplying of software used to 'DDOS' websites and gaming servers (temporarily disabling them). The served evidence consisted of 30,000 pages of computer logs, and links to other defendants in the USA introduced additional complexity.

• Operation Northleigh [Isleworth CC] 2020

  Grenfell Tower Fraud

  Ben Holt prosecuted this two-handed trial. Both defendants were convicted by a jury of having committed fraud by lying that they were living in Grenfell Tower at the time of the disaster [Instructed by CPS, SCU]. 

  News report

  Met Police report here.

• R v. KB [Woolwich] 2020

  Attempted Murder

  Valeria Swift was instructed by EBR Attridge to represent the first defendant in an eight-handed attempted murder trial at Woolwich Crown Court. Her client was acquitted of attempted murder at the conclusion of the trial.

• R v AI [Central Criminal Court] 2019

  Murder

  Murder of Essex schoolgirl, Jodie Chesney

• R v JK [Southwark] 2019

  Bribery

  Defence of Immigration Officer accused of bribery in the Home Office.

• R v TH [Inner London] 2019

  Rape

• R v A [Central Criminal Court] 2020

  Affray

  Acquitted by a majority, Mr A together with others was clearly seen on CCTV involved in an incident that resulted in someone being stabbed multiple times.

• Operation Digamy - R v AK & Ors [Snaresbrook] 2018

  Multi-handed Class A Drugs Conspiracy

  Irshad Sheikh led Ria Banerjee defending D1 in a multi-handed five week Class A drugs conspiracy. D1 was regarded as the leader and wholesale supplier of multiple kilos. The trial lasted five weeks and involved extensive surveillance evidence, probe recordings, call and cell site data.

• R v PD [Woolwich] 2018

  Affray

  Acquitted of Affray following successful submission of no case to answer. Acquitted by jury of Dangerous Driving.

• R v BD [St. Albans] 2018

  Affray

  Successful application to dismiss in alleged Affray captured on CCTV.

• R v AM [Snaresbrook] 2019

  Robbery

  Successfully applied to exclude all Police Officer identification evidence in Robbery matter.

• R v GH & Ors [Basildon] 2019

  Violent Disorder

  Instructed in multi-handed violent disorder arising from an Attempted Murder. Acquitted after trial.

• Operation Nemo - R v DP & Ors [Swansea] 2019

  Multi-handed Fraud

  Ria Banerjee was led by Matthew Buckland (Carmelite Chambers) in an eight week trial representing D1 in a ten-handed conspiracy to defraud members of the public of c. £½ million through the operation of a call centre selling products that did not exist or were never provided.

• Grenfell Tower Inquiry 2019

  Disclosure review

  Instructed by DWF as part of a team of junior counsel writing reports, drafting witness statements and conducting disclosure review for one of the public bodies heavily involved in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

• R v CA [Woolwich] 2019

  Fraud

  Acquitted of Fraud after successful submission of no case to answer.

• R v SA [Woolwich] 2019

  Robbery

  Represented D in Newton Hearing in relation to a series of Aggravated Burglaries of sex workers.

• R v AK [Blackfriars] 2019

  Robbery

  Represented D2 in a series of moped enabled robberies. Case involved EMS electronic tagging evidence as well as telephone and cell site evidence.

• R v AM [Isleworth] 2020

  s18

  Instructed to represent D in an alleged s18 Wounding with Intent and Affray.

• R v FA [Isleworth] 2020

  Drug Importation

  Instructed to represent D in an alleged importation of 3 kilos of Cocaine.

• R v HS [Snaresbrook] 2020

  Violent Disorder

  Represented D2 in a multi-handed Violent Disorder. Successfully applied to exclude all gang related bad character evidence.

• Operation Sacramento - R v AO & Ors [Woolwich] 2020

  Supply of Class A Drugs

  Led by James Martin representing D1 in an alleged multi-kilo conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, featuring extensive telephone evidence.

• R V S & 3 [Ipswich Crown Court] 2020

  Revenue Evasion

  Rupert Kent was instructed by the CPS Specialist Fraud Division in this four-handed revenue investigation case arising from a joint police and HMRC investigation into the activities of a UK-based organised criminal network involved in the evasion of tobacco duty.

• R v C & 7 Others [Southwark Crown Court] 2020

  Immigration Fraud

  Rupert Kent was instructed by the CPS Complex Casework Unit as a led junior in this eight-handed immigration fraud, arising from an HMRC investigation into the large-scale abuse of the UKBA’s Tier 2 (skilled workers) leave-to-remain visa system.

• R v C [Guildford Magistrates’ Court] 2020

  Insolvency

  Rupert Kent was instructed as junior alone by the Insolvency Service to prosecute a defendant accused of s.387 Companies Act 2006, s.13 Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986, and s.235 Insolvency Act 1986 offences, and arising from the defendant’s various failures after his property company went into administration.

• R v A [CCC] 2020

  Attempted Murder

  Rupert Kent was instructed as junior alone by the CPS to prosecute this attempted murder, relating to the infliction of serious knife injuries by the defendant upon his infant daughter.

• Operation Radiator [Manchester Crown Court] 2021

  Revenue Evasion & Money Laundering

  Rupert Kent was instructed by the CPS Specialist Fraud Division as junior alone in this three-handed revenue evasion case, arising from an HMRC investigation into the activities of a UK-based organised criminal network involved in the evasion of £41.5m in tobacco duty, and the smuggling of £6.7m in cash out of the UK.

• R v G & 5 Others [Southwark Crown Court] 2021

  Money Laundering

  Rupert Kent was instructed by the CPS as a junior alone (two-counsel application pending) in this six-handed money laundering case, involving the activities of a bureau-de-change concerned in the large-scale laundering of criminal pound sterling into Euro currency.

• R v T & 12 Others [Leeds Crown Court] 2020

  Money Laundering

  Rupert Kent was instructed by Kangs Solicitors as a junior alone (QC application pending) in this 13-handed money laundering case, involving the alleged laundering of £260m in the proceeds of crime. The case comprises 15,000 pages of evidence, and the trial has a four-month time-estimate.

• R v IA [Aylesbury Crown Court] 2020

  Attempted Murder

  s18 GBH and possession of an offensive weapon. Defendant acquitted of both counts following careful cross-examination of the complainant.

• R v DC [Croydon Crown Court] 2020 2020

  Murder

  12 count indictment including murder, administering poison to endanger life, fraud and theft. Led by Eleanor Laws QC defending vulnerable client who was 17 during the indictment period. 

• R v SA [C.C.C.] 2020 2020

  Murder

  Anthony Orchard QC led William Davis in the prosecution of a defendant in connection with an incident at an all-night party in Aldgate in which one man was fatally stabbed, and three others were injured.

• R v Bryan & Ahwan [Kingston] 2020 2020

  Murder

  Anthony Orchard QC led William Davis in the prosecution of two defendants for an incident in Kingston town centre in which a van was deliberately driven at one males, and another was fatally stabbed.

  Press Coverage here.

• R v. A [Aylesbury] 2020

  Employee theft of £45k by manipulating computer records

  Sam Willis was instructed by the CPS Complex Casework Unit to prosecute this theft case. The Defendant had been manipulating the computer records at her workplace, in order to steal £45k during her three years of employment. Sam was able to use his previous IT experience in order to collate and condense the 500 pages of computer evidence into a clear schedule for the jury.

• R v W & Others [Norwich] 2020

  VAT Evasion

  Acting for the prosecution (to be lead by a silk) in a complex VAT evasion case arising from the activities of a used car business. 

• R v T & Others [Wood Green] 2020

  Conspiracy to Import Class A Drugs

  Led junior for the prosecution in a case alleging a large conspiracy to import class A drugs and launder the subsequent proceeds of sale.

• R v M&F [Kingston] 2020

  VAT Evasion

  Led junior for the prosecution in a VAT evasion case arising from the running of various nightclubs in the South East. Loss to the Revenue alleged to be over £500,000.

• R v L&A [Kingston] 2020

  Ponzi Scheme

  Led junior for the first defendant in an alleged high value Ponzi scheme fraud.

• R v D & Others [Southwark] 2020

  Multi-Handed Theft Conspiracy

  Led junior for the first defendant in a multi-handed conspiracy to rob high value watches and arrange for their onward sale.

• R v N Operation Arnold [Maidstone] 2020

  Duty Evasion

  Junior alone for the prosecution in a case of duty evasion worth over £230,000.

• Inquest into the death of SMV 2020

  Inquest for NHS Trust

  Acted for an NHS Trust who provided community mental health treatment to a patient who subsequently died by suicide after taking an overdose of her medication. This was a jury inquest.  

• R v. Long and ors [CCC] 2020

  Prosecution of three men for killing a Thames Valley police officer

  Jonathan Polnay was led by Brian Altman QC (first trial) and Jonathan Laidlaw QC (second trial) in the prosecution of three young men for killing PC Andrew Harper, whilst trying to escape with a stolen quad bike.

  Wikipedia entry concerning the killing of PC Harper.

• R v Robinson and ors [CCC] 2020

  39 counts of manslaughter of Vietnamese migrants

  Jonathan Polnay was led by Bill Emlyn Jones in this prosecution for the manslaughter of 39 Vietnamese migrants who suffocated to death in a shipping container whilst being smuggled in to the UK.

  Wikipedia entry concerning the proceedings here.

• R v Fuller [Kingston] 2020

  Far Right Extremist charged with Car Park Stabbing of Bulgarian National

  Jonathan Polnay prosecution Vincent Fuller for attempted murder. Having been inspired by the Christchurch massacre, Fuller tried to carry out a terrorist-motivated knife attack in South West London.

  BBC News report here.

• R v David [Southwark] 2019

  £15m Investment Fraud

  Jonathan Polnay acted in the Prosecution of investment advisor for defrauding nearly £15 million from investors. The case involved complex third party confiscation proceedings.

   

• R v Gopaul and Bannerman [C.C.C.] 2020

  Homicide

  Anthony Orchard QC led William Davis for the prosecution in a murder trial following an incident outside a nightclub in which a man was stabbed. After the killing the Defendant fled to Cyprus with the assistance of a friend, who was convicted of assisting an offender. The Defendant was extradited to the UK in 2019.

  Press coverage: 
   

• Operation Footprint [CCC] 2020

  Buying a grenade over the ‘dark web’

  Ben Holt acted for the Crown in this case where the Defendant was convicted of buying a grenade over the ‘dark web’ [Instructed by CPS, Thames & Chiltern CCU].

  ITV News report

• Operation Photal [CCC] 2020

  Attempted arson with intent to endanger life

  Ben Holt acted for the Crown in this case where the Defendant was convicted of attempted arson with intent to endanger life after placing an incendiary device in the exhaust pipe of a diplomatic car parked outside the Iranian Embassy [Instructed by CPS, CTD].

  BBC News report

• R v LG & 4 ors [Manchester CC] 2020

  Homicide

  Jonathan Higgs QC represented LG in the final instalment of the notorious Salford gang wars of 2015, when machine guns, pump action shotguns, machetes and even military handgrenades were used in a series of executions and assassination attempts spreading all across Manchester and then abroad to Spain. LG was acquitted of all charges.

  News Report Here.

• R v A & 8 Ors [Southwark Crown Court] 2020

  Banking Fraud

  Rupert Kent was instructed by ABV Solicitors as junior alone (two-counsel application pending) in this nine-handed fraud case, involving the alleged activities of a criminal network in removing £500,000 from customers’ bank accounts. The case comprises over 50,000 pages of evidence.

• R v A & 8 Ors [Kingston Crown Court] 2020

  Drugs Importation

  Rupert Kent was instructed by the CPS as junior alone in this nine-handed drugs case, involving a conspiracy to import large amounts of cocaine into the United Kingdom using HGV vehicles.

• R v N [Maidstone Crown Court] 2020

  Proceeds of Crime

  Rupert Kent was instructed by DJMS Solicitors as junior alone in this opposed pre-charge application for the extension of a moratorium period under s.336A of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, arising from a Defence Against Money Laundering request made in relation to a suspect bank account.

• R v W [Isleworth] 2020

  Multiple rapes, false imprisonment and choking

  Valeria Swift secured her client’s acquittal of multiple counts of rape, false imprisonment and choking at the conclusion of a three week trial. Instructed by Hodge, Jones & Allen.

• Operation Mowhawk [Croydon Crown Court] 2019

  Conspiracy to commit fraud

  Pauline Thompson led Olivia Haggar in a conspiracy to commit fraud and associated money laundering. All ten defendants were convicted. Instructed by Croydon Trading Standards.

  https://news.croydon.gov.uk/ten-sentenced-after-croydon-led-trading-standards-operation/

• R v CU & others [Kingston] 2020

  Commercial Burglary

  Prosecution of twelve defendants in relation to a string of high value commercial burglaries involving the theft of rare and precious books.  Led by Catherine Farrelly. 

  News reports:

  https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/sep/18/rare-books-stolen-london-heist-found-floor-romania

  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/09/18/rare-books-stolen-romanian-gang-recovered-joint-uk-eu-police/

  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8747023/2-5million-trove-books-stolen-London-warehouse-Romania.html

  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54209366

• R v PS & MO [Woolwich] 2020

  Confiscation following conviction for conspiracy to supply drugs

  £384k confiscated from drug dealers following convictions for conspiracy to supply drugs with a street value of over £10m, after 951kg of cannabis was found in a lorry load of rabbit hay.  Junior alone.  (R v Seabrook & ors [Woolwich] 2018)

• R v LV [Guildford] 2019

  Armed Robbery

  Prosecution of an armed robbery of a Post Office by a defendant armed with a handgun.  Junior alone. 

  News report:

  https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/robber-brandishing-handgun-who-burst-16308125

• R v H [Maidstone] 2019

  Assault

  Defence of a man with paranoid schizophrenia who attempted to stab a police officer whilst intoxicated and during an acute psychotic episode.  Junior alone.

• R v BH & 3 others [Blackfriars] 2018

  Internet Banking Fraud

  £500k internet banking fraud against elderly victims by bank employees.  Catherine Farrelly led Charlotte Hole, instructed by the CPS International Justice and Organised Crime unit, prosecuting 4 defendants following an investigation by the National Crime Agency Cyber Crime Unit .  The case centred around the activities of two men who worked at high street banks who assisted another in creating a significant number of sham bank account for the use in a transfer fraud, raising legal issues about the definition of ‘criminal property’ under s.340 POCA 2002.

• Operation Edge [Woolwich] 2020

  Multi-handed class A & B drugs conspiracy involving “Encro chat” devices

  James Martin led Phoebe Bragg in this 4 week case involving surveillance evidence and evidence of “encro chat” devices. The defendant was accused of being the head of an organised criminal network trafficking large quantities of class A & B drugs and involved expert evidence regarding the use of “encro chat” as well as significant legal argument regarding bad character evidence. 

• R v FP [CCC] 2020

  Homicide

  Led by Crispin Aylett QC. The prosecution of three men for murder.

  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-51010380

• R v SF & Ors [CCC] 2020

  Homicide

  Led by John Price QC. The prosecution of four men for murder. The case involved a significant amount of telephone and cell-site evidence.

  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-54986153

• R v DW [Ipswich Court Court] 2021

  Sexual Abuse of Children

  The prosecution of one of the most prolific offenders investigated by the NCA who was responsible for the on-line sexual abuse of 52 children. The case concerned complex issues in relation to the indictment, given the significant number of complainants involved.

  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/11/23/paedophile-would-not-have-caught-facebooks-encryption-plans/

  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8978441/One-Britains-worst-paedophiles-admits-96-sex-offences-against-51-boys.html

• R v PK [Isleworth Crown Court] 2021

  Double Rapist

  The prosecution of a male for two separate rapes involving significant violence. It involved contested, and successful, application for joinder and complex issues in relation to character evidence.

  https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/ivy-league-raped-women-london-convicted-b908342.html

• R v CU & Ors [Kingston] 2020

  The Feltham Book Heist

  Leading Charlotte Hole. The prosecution of 12 defendants for a number of high-value commercial burglaries, including the theft of rare books by Isaac Newton & Francisco Goya. The prosecution arose out of a JIT (Joint Investigation Team) with Romanian and Italian law enforcement and concerned legal issues in relation to the admissibility of extraterritorial evidence and the presentation of a significant amount of telephone and cell-site evidence. The case attracted considerable interest in the national and international press.

  https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/dec/13/tome-raiders-solving-the-great-book-heist

  https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/heist-isaac-newton-galileo-romania-clamparu-b748240.html

• Operation Merseyside [Isleworth Crown Court] 2019

  Money Laundering

  Rupert Kent was instructed by the CPS Complex Casework Unit as a led junior in this 5-handed conspiracy to convert criminal property prosecution.  The case comprised over 12,000 pages of served evidence and almost 100 witnesses, and involved the service and disclosure of US-sourced material.

• Operation Merseyside-1 [Isleworth Crown Court] 2020

  Proceeds of Crime

  Rupert Kent was instructed by teh CPS Proceeds of Crime Unit as a led junior in confiscation proceedings arising out of this 4-handed conspiracy to convert criminal property prosecution.

• R-v-M & G [Harrow Crown Court] 2019

  Money Laundering

  Junior alone for the first defendant who ran a money service bureau accused of laundering over £100,000 of criminal property. 

• R-v-R & Others [Maidstone Crown Court] 2019

  Conspiracy to Launder Criminal Property

  Led junior for the Crown in a large conspiracy to launder criminal property via warehouses in Kent that received vast quantities of goods obtained through European distribution frauds. The value of the goods laundered by these defendants was over £1.8million.

• R v. Sahayb Abu - [C.C.C.] 2021

  Conviction for man preparing to carry out an IS inspired sword-attack

  Jonathan Polnay, led by John McGuinness QC prosecution Sahayb Abu, the ‘masked menace’ for preparing to carry out a terrorist sword attack.

  News Report.

   

• R v. Long & ors [C.C.C.] 2020

  Killing of serving Thames Valley Police officer, PC Andrew Harper

  Prosecution of three young men for the homicide of Thames Valley Police Officer, PC Andrew Harper, who was tragically killed whilst trying to apprehend thieves. (Leaders, Brian Altman QC, and then Jonathan Laidlaw QC).

  BBC News report here.

• R v. Hughes & ors [C.C.C.] 2021

  Essex lorry deaths case - 39 counts of manslaughter

  Jonathan Polnay, led by William Emlyn Jones, prosecuted eight men for conspiracy to facilitate illegal immigration and 39 counts of manslaughter, arising out of the death of Vietnamese migrants in a sealed lorry trailer.

  BBC Report here.

• R v. Abdullah [C.C.C.] 2020

  Man who incited German terror cell to commit terrorist atrocities by training them in use of explosives.

  Jonathan Polnay, led by Barnaby Jameson QC, prosecuted Abdullah for assisting another to prepare an act of terrorism. He incited a terror cell, based in Germany, to commit terrorist atrocities that would have caused mass fatalities. His encouragement was not limited to words. He researched, obtained and tested explosives in order to teach the German cell to carry out the terrorist attacks to maximum effect.

  BBC News report. 

• R v KR [Maidstone Crown Court] 2021

  Dwelling burglary and dangerous driving

  William was instructed to represent a client who had pleaded guilty to dwelling burglary and dangerous driving and not-guilty to two counts of attempted burglary. Following representations being made to the CPS, the Crown offered no evidence on the attempted burglary counts. Citing the case of R v Jessemey [2021] EWCA Crim 175, William successfully argued that the Crown Court’s sentencing powers were limited to those of the Magistrates’ Court and he was able to secure an eight-month suspended sentence for his client. Instructed by Thomas Boyd Whyte.

• R v JC [Chelmsford Youth Court] 2021

  Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs x 2

  William was instructed to represent a youth client who was charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Following representations being made to the CPS’ reviewing lawyer regarding the positive NRM referral and the inherent weaknesses of the Crown’s case, the Crown discontinued the charges. Instructed by Paul Martin & Co

• R v TB [Highbury Youth Court] 2021

  Conspiracy to commit robbery

  William was instructed to represent a youth client who was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery with two others. William drafted a Section 78 PACE argument seeking to exclude the entirety of Crown’s cell-site evidence, which resulted in the Crown discontinuing the proceedings against his client. Instructed by Edwards Duthie Shamash.

• R v Wayne [Court of Appeal] 2020

  Appeal against sentence - dwelling burglary, harassment, and criminal damage

  William was granted permission to appeal against a sentence made by Portsmouth Crown Court. The appeal concerned the relevance of the factors indicating lesser harm in a case of a burglary where nothing was stolen and the intention was to cause criminal damage. The Court of Appeal also considered the cases of R v Manning and R v Jones in the wake of lockdown measures being lifted. Instructed by Geoff White Solicitors.

• R v SE and FE [Highbury Magistrates Court] 2020

  Public Order 1986, Section 4A

  William Sneddon represented a defendant, who was accused of making threats to the footballer Mesut Özil and his security staff. Following cross-examination of both complainants over two days, and William’s ‘half-time’ submission of no case to answer, the Court dismissed the case against Mr Ekinci. Instructed by Joseph Hill & Co.

• R v IC & Ors 2021

  Gang Related Murder

  Catherine was led by Alan Kent QC. The defendants were convicted.

  News report here.

• R v LP & CJ [Central Criminal Court] 2021

  Murder & Wounding with Intent

  Catherine was led by Mark Heywood QC.  LP was convicted of murder. LP and CJ were convicted of wounding with intent and attempted robbery.

  News report here.

• R v Cole [Reading Magistrates Court] 2021

  Burglary

  Olivia Haggar successfully prosecuted this individual for burglary of a quadbike. The offence was committed the day before the homicide of PC Andrew Harper, and came to light during the wider investigation.

  News Report

• Operation Melrose [CCC] 2020

  People Smuggling

  Disclosure junior. Investigation into the 39 Vietnamese nationals who died in a lorry in Essex.

  BBC News report.

• R v IS [Harrow Crown Court] 2021

  Tax Evasion of Tobacco Duty

  Anna Dutka successfully prosecuted this tax evasion where the Defendant owed duty in excess of £20,000, receiving a custodial sentence.

• R v AM [Woolwich Crown Court] 2020

  Appeal against Sentence for Breach of NMO

  Anna Dutka represented a vulnerable Defendant who appealed against an 18-year restraining order with disproportionate restrictions. The appeal was granted.

• R v MA [Wood Green Crown Court] 2020

  Possession of Bladed Article with Fitness to Plead Issues

  Anna Dutka acted for the Defendant, who had significant mental health issues, and ensured appropriate assessment was undertaken by psychiatrists to assist the court. 

• R v T [Hove Crown Court] 2021

  Defending in a baby-shaking murder

  Danny Robinson QC successfully defended T in a 6 week baby-shaking murder trial at Hove Crown Court. T was acquitted of murder, but was alternatively found guilty of allowing the death of a child. She was sentenced to 2 years and 9 months’ imprisonment. Counsel was instructed by Berry & Lamberts Solicitors. 

• R v F [Preston Crown Court] 2021

  Defending in a domestic murder

  Danny Robinson QC was instructed to defend an individual charged with murder, after a man was found dead at a home in Lancashire. F was jailed for nine years and nine months for manslaughter. Counsel was instructed by Martin Hilson of Barrett Nelligan Solicitors.

• R v K [CCC] 2020

  Murder

  Sarah Forshaw QC leading for the defence in a two-defendant murder trial at the Central Criminal Court. The deceased was shot dead close to the Houses of Parliament. The jury acquitted of murder and convicted only of manslaughter by a majority. Instructed by Lloyds PR solicitors.

• R v M [CCC[ 2020

  Gang Related Murder

  Sarah Forshaw QC was instructed for the defence in this four week gang-related murder trial at the Central Criminal Court. There were two defendants. The jury unanimously acquitted her lay client of all charges, including the murder of one victim and the attempted murder of a second. Instructed by Waterfords Law.

• Inquest LW 2020

  Inquest touching upon the death of LW

  Instructed to represent a Doctor by Max Anwar, McCormacks. Dr absolved of any wrongdoing and no criminal proceedings institiuted.

• R v W & Ors [Basildon Crown Court] 2020

  County Lines Drug Related Murder

  Representing the first of four defendants in a County lines drugs-related murder trial. Miss Forshaw’s lay client was said to be the ringleader but was the only defendant to be acquitted on all counts; the other three defendants were unanimously convicted of murder. Instructed by Imran Khan & Partners.

  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-55321822

• R v GO [CCC] 2021

  Murder

  Sarah Forshaw QC was instructed to defend the young son of a lawyer in an 8 week murder trial at the Central Criminal Court. It was agreed that Miss Forshaw’s client had delivered the fatal blow. The incident was captured on CCTV. Her client was acquitted of both murder and manslaughter.

• R v MGK [Southwark] 2021

  Historic Rape

  Instructed privately to defend a businessman who had been extradited from the Netherlands to face multiple historic rape charges. Following Sarah Forshaw QC’s cross-examination of the complainant and a second prosecution witness, the prosecution offered no evidence, and the defendant was formally acquitted on all counts.

• R v G [Kingston CC & Court of Appeal] 2019

  [2019] EWCA Crim 2287

  Sarah Forshaw QC was leading counsel for the defence, representing a young man facing five counts of rape. There were three separate complainants. The allegations involved BDSM and one of the complainants was not previously known to the defendant.  The jury found the defendant not guilty on 3 of the 5 counts. 

  Miss Forshaw appealed the two remaining convictions and the Court of Appeal overturned them. The judgment of the Court of Appeal is now a recognised authority, featuring in the Crown Court Compendium and in the leading textbooks on criminal law. Instructed by Hodge Jones & Allen.

  Gabbai v R. [2019] EWCA Crim 2287 (20 December 2019)

• R v H [Southwark] 2020

  Sexual Assault

  Miss Forshaw QC was instructed privately to represent a Member of the House of Lords in his high profile trial for sexual assault before Edis J at Southwark Crown Court. Lord H was found not guilty. Instructed by Blackfords.

  News reports can be found here:

  BBC

  Daily Mail

• R v Dr V [GMC & Crown Court] 2019

  Sexually Motivated Misconduct

  The defendant doctor, having been acquitted of sexual assaults on a patient at the Crown Court (also represented by Sarah Forshaw QC), was to face similar allegations brought by the GMC. Miss Forshaw, assisted by Olivia Haggar, was asked to represent him again at the full contested hearing which lasted 3 weeks. Once again, the complainant and other witnesses were cross-examined. The allegations were all found ‘not proved’ by the Tribunal. The Doctor has returned to full-time work. Instructed by BCL.

• Operation Docwu [Isleworth CC] 2021

  Attempted Murder

  Ben Holt was Leading junior for the Crown in four-handed prosecution for attempted murder. The victim was shot at point-blank range by an individual with a sawn-off shotgun.

• R v L [Snaresbrook] 2021

  Manslaughter

  Prosecution of a cyclist for manslaughter. Defendant had cycled through a red light which caused a collision with a pedestrian who died. Defendant convicted of a s35 OAPA offence and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. Instructed by CPS Homicide.

  Commendation received from the Police Team.

  Sky News Report

   

• Operation Antelope [Maidstone] 2021

  Aggravated Burglary

   Three-handed aggravated burglary [Instructed by CPS, Kent]. Defendants sentenced to over thirty years’ imprisonment.

   

• R v. S [Norwich] 2021

  s.18 stabbing after threats exchanged over social media

  Sam Willis prosecuted this serious act of violence, arising out of an argument on social media between two young men. The case involved a significant amount of digital material, including social media messages, audio recordings, and CCTV. The 5-day trial required careful presentation of the material and sensitive handling of a vulnerable witness giving evidence through a variety of special measures.

• R v. Walker [Cambridge] 2021

  Step-Father convicted in Missing Body Murder Trial

  Jonathan Polnay, led by Lisa Wilding QC secured convictions in a missing body murder trial at Cambridge Crown Court.

  17 year old Bernadette Walker disappeared on 18th July 2020 after alleging that her step-father, Scott Walker, had been sexually abusing her for a number of years. She was last seen having been collected from her grandparents’ house by Walker who claimed she had simply walked away following an argument.

  Walker and Bernadette’s mother, Sarah Walker, were also found guilty of perverting the course of justice by using the dead girl’s phone to send messages suggesting she was still alive and lying to the police about her disappearance.

  Bernadette’s body has never been found. The trial lasted 6 weeks.

  Bernadette Walker: Scott Walker guilty of murder – BBC News

   

• R v K [Snaresbrook Crown Court] 2021

  Controlling & Coercive

  Acquitted in multi-handed allegation made by complainant from Pakistan who was part of an arranged marriage with defendant’s brother.

• R v N [Basildon Court Court] 2021

  Conspiracy to Commit Fraud

  Acquitted in a multi-handed case.

• R v B [Wood Green Crown Court] 2021

  s.20 GBH

  Represented a doorman who was acquitted of a s.20 GBH having pushed a customer to the floor and caused them to suffer a serious bleed on the brain.

• R v R [Inner London Crown Court] 2021

  Sexual Assault

  Hung jury. Lengthy cross-examination of complainant. Also dealt with forensic evidence placing defendant in the house.

• R v M [Snaresbrook Crown Court] 2021

  PWITS Class A

  Acquitted.

• R v W [Southampton Crown Court] 2021

  Armed Robbery

  Acquitted despite CCTV and eye witness evidence.

• R v T [Wood Green Crown Court] 2021

  Conspiracy to Supply Class A

  Acquitted.

• R v R [Maidstone Crown Court] 2021

  Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery

  Acquitted following a lengthy multi-handed trial. All co-defendants represented by senior members of chambers. I was D2 and undertook all cross-examination of civilian witnesses on behalf of defence Bar.

• Operation Localizer [Kingston] 2021

  Seven-handed conspiracy to supply cocaine from London to Brighton (EncroChat material)

  Sam Willis, led by Ben Holt, prosecuted this criminal enterprise to transport large quantities of cocaine from London to Brighton for onward distribution. The evidence came from call data records, a surveillance operation, and 'EncroChat' Operation Venetic material, which all had to be carefully presented at trial.

• Operation Lexes [Southwark] 2021

  Bollywood 'cash for visa' scam

  Sam Willis, led by Rupert Kent, prosecuted this high-profile 'cash for visa' scam, focused around a company pretending to be involved in the Bollywood film industry. The 16-week trial resulted in unanimous guilty verdicts against six of the eight defendants. The jury heard how the 'employees' had been transferring their own money to the company, which was then used to pay the wage bill. This facade disguised the reality - that the company was not trading, that the 'employees' were not doing any real work, and that the 'employment' was merely a vehicle for the sale of worker visas. Sam was instructed by the CPS Special Casework Unit.

  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10337687/Fake-agent-helped-53-students-stay-UK-false-references-phoney-production-company.html

• Operation Localizer [Kingston Crown Court] 2022

  Conspiracy to Supply Class A

  Leading Junior.  Seven-handed conspiracy to supply cocaine allegation. Evidence comes from Operation Venetic material and surveillance operation [Instructed by CPS, London].

  Six defendants convicted; no evidence offered against the seventh.

  Sentence awaited.

• Operation Scouttish [Kingston Crown Court] 2021

  Money Laundering

  Ten-handed money laundering conspiracy. [Instructed by CPS, IJOC].

  The two main defendants were tried in September/October 2021.

  As well as laundering significant cash sums they are also said to have been involved in laundering the proceeds of frauds carried out on the Bounce Back Loan scheme.

  Both defendants convicted and sentenced to 17 and 16 years’ imprisonment.

  National Crime Agency Report

   

• R v AS [Bromley Youth Court] 2021

  Trial (Wounding with Intent)

  William was instructed to represent a 15-year-old client in a three-day, two-handed Youth Court trial (Certificate for Counsel granted). The Crown sought to adduce the complainant’s evidence as hearsay under section 116(2)(e) (the complaint had stated he was in fear but also did not want to be seen as a “grass”) and the defendant’s initial account to police (not taken under caution) under section 114(d). William successfully opposed both of these applications in oral and written submissions. At the close of the prosecution case (and after skeleton arguments from both sides), the Court determined that there was insufficient evidence for any reasonable court properly to convict and the case was dismissed. Instructed by Joseph Hill & Co.

• R v SR [Wood Green Crown Court] 2021

  Trial (being concerned in the supply of cocaine)

  William was instructed to represent a client in a Crown Court trial. The Crown’s case was that the client had been operating a prominent drugs phone over the course of four months. This burner phone had been seized from the police at an address where the defendant and three other persons were arrested (however only the defendant had been charged). The Crown sought to adduce thousands of pages of cell site evidence to attribute the phone to the client as opposed to the other three persons found at the address.

  William was only instructed one working day before the trial (due to previous counsel being unable to deal with the case) and no cell site expert had been instructed (due to late service of cell site data and the client not authorising an application for an adjournment). Notwithstanding these constraints, William was able to successfully highlight the significant limitations of the cell site evidence and secure an acquittal for the client.

• R v DC [Huntingdon Crown Court] 2021

  Trial (Breach of Restraining Order x 3; Harassment (with fear of violence); Common Assault)

  William was instructed to represent a client in two trials. In the first trial, during Williams’s cross-examination, the complainant claimed to have a “record of pretty much no violence whatsoever” and that he was “not a violent person”. After making an impromptu non-defendant bad character application, William was able to adduce the complainant’s four cautions for common assault, whilst successfully preventing his client’s bad character from also being adduced. The client was acquitted of four out of five charges and subsequently pleaded guilty to a “second strike” bladed article offence (the second trial), resulting in a six-month conditional charge for all convictions. Instructed by Geoff White Solicitors.

• R v S & 3 Ors [Southwark Crown Court] 2021

  Money Laundering

  Rupert Kent was instructed by the CPS London Complex Casework Unit as leading junior in this four-handed money laundering case, involving the activities of an organised criminal group who laundered the criminal proceeds of stolen, and ‘rung’, vehicles.

• R v C & 7 Ors [Southwark Crown Court] 2021

  Immigration Fraud

  Rupert Kent was instructed by the CPS London Complex Casework Unit as leading junior in this eight-handed immigration fraud, arising from a Home Office investigation into the large-scale abuse of the UKBA’s Tier 2 (skilled workers) leave-to-remain visa system.

• R v YM [Harrow Court Court] 2021

  Theft by deception

  Theft of property and assets of elderly women by deception.

• Operation Nimrod [Southwark Crown Court] 2021

  Supply of pharmaceutical drugs to black market

  Prosecution of pharmacists in the wholesale illegal supply of pharmaceutical drugs to the black market (led junior).

• R v RG & Ors [Southwark Crown Court] 2021

  Money laundering

  Led junior in a successful multi-handed prosecution involving a conspiracy to launder money through money service bureaus in West London.

• R v TT [Woolwich Crown Court] 2021

  Kidnap & sexual assault

  Defendant acquitted of kidnap and sexual assault.

• R v EH [Lewes Crown Court] 2022

  Conspiracy to convey items into prisons

  Defendant acquitted in multi-handed conspiracy to convey items into prisons.

• R v ML [Croydon] 2018

  Stabbing of police officer

  Gordon Carse acted for the defendant who was alleged to committed a section 18 OAPA offence by stabbing an officer in an attempt to escape arrest. The photographs of the injury caused were ruled too gruesome to be placed before the jury.  A successful submission that there was no case to answer was appealed by the Crown. The appeal against the terminatory ruling was successfully opposed.

• R v TM & another [CCC] 2018

  Robbery & kidnap

  Gordon Carse represented a defendant alleged to have committed robbery, s.18 and kidnapping. Following cross-examination of the principal witness, the Crown offered no further evidence and the jury returned a directed verdict of not guilty.

• R v MW & Others [Liverpool] 2019

  Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs

  Gordon Carse represented one of the defendants charged with conspiring to supply wholescale amounts of Class A drugs (on one of the multiple occasions of supply in excess of 98kg of 98% pure cocaine was seized). In the third week of the trial the defendant entered a limited guilty plea on an acceptable basis.

• R v TDN & Others [Wood Green] 2018

  National Supply of Wholesale Class A Drugs

  Gordon Carse represented a defendant alleged to be the principal in the national supply of wholesale quantities of Class A drugs. The defendant was the subject of extensive covert surveillance, which included the use of helicopters. The defendant was acquitted by the jury.

• R v CB & Others [Inner London] 2019

  Multi-Handed County Line Drug Operations

  Gordon Carse, led by Danny Robinson QC, prosecuted 21 individuals, over multiple trials, who were charged with a multiple county lines drug dealing operations. All defendants were either convicted or entered guilty pleas for their involvement.

• R v KG & Others [Nottingham 2020

  Attempted Murder

  Gordon Carse, led by Sue Rodham, represented the defendant charged with facilitating allegations of attempted murder (2 separate shootings). Following successful submissions as to the admissibility of covert recordings and submission of no case to answer was upheld and the defendant acquitted by directed verdicts.

• R v JB & Another [Inner London] 2020

  Possession of Firearm

  Gordon Carse represented the lead defendant in an allegation of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. The defendant was a well known ‘drill’ artist and the prosecution was heavily reliant upon bad character evidence of gang activity (including multiple murders). The defendant was acquitted by the jury.

• R v JL & Others [Newcastle] 2021

  National Supply of Wholesale Class A Drugs

  Gordon Carse represented the defendant who was alleged to have run cannabis farms and conspired in the national supply of wholesale quantities of Class A drugs. Following section 8 applications and written submissions that there was no case to answer, the Crown offered no further evidence and the Jury returned directed verdicts of not guilty.

• R v SB & Others [Southwark] 2021

  Assassination of Rival International OCG

  Gordon Carse, led by Jonathan Higgs KC, represented an alleged member of a Swedish hit team, hired to assassinate a leading member of a rival international OCG. The case made national headlines due to the professionalism of the assassination, in which latex masks and other disguises were used prior to the shooting. The shooting itself was designed to be shocking, taking place on Christmas Eve on the victim’s doorstep and in front of his family.

• R v JW & Another [Coventry] 2022

  Murder

  Gordon Carse, led by Paul Keleher QC, represented a defendant charged with the murder of two elderly victims separated by a three-year period, in which other serious offending was committed. The case involved complex and extensive expert evidence, including pathology, cell site and DNA evidence.

• R v MS [Southwark Crown Court] 2021

  Football related affray

  Prosecution of a football-related affray, securing a conviction and a successful application for a Football Banning Order.

• R v BH [Westminster Magistrates Court] 2021

  Harrassment

  Prosecution of the harassment of a MP, instructed by the CPS Complex Casework Unit.

• R v AB [Westminster Magistrates Court] 2022

  Careless driving by a serving police officer

  Prosecution of a serving police officer for careless driving, instructed by the CPS Complex Casework Unit.

• R v LV [Nottingham Crown Court] 2022

  Defence of vulnerable client

  Defence of a vulnerable client who was assisted by an intermediary, acquitted of 10 of the 11 charges after trial and sentenced to a conditional discharge.

• R v J&H [Woolwich Crown Court] 2019

  Prosecuting prison murder - diminished responsibility

  Danny Robinson QC was instructed to prosecute two individuals charged with the murder of a fellow prisoner. The defendants were cell mates, who were accused of beating to death a man who was found with head injuries, by prison guards.

• R v S [Woolwich Crown Court] 2020

  Prosecuting in gang stabbing murder

  Danny Robinson QC successfully prosecuted an 18-year-old man charged with murder, in relation to a long running gang feud. The defendant was convicted and sentenced to a minimum term of 14 years. 

• R v B-L & J [CCC] 2020

  Shooting of drug dealer

  Danny Robinson QC lead Jonathan Polnay in the prosecution of two individuals, charged with the murder of a drug dealer. At the time of the murder, police discovered drugs concealed by the victim’s car. The victim was a delivery driver who was found with a gun shot wound to the head.

• R v S [CCC] 2021

  Murder in workplace - diminished responsibility

  Danny Robinson QC successfully prosecuted a man who murdered the foreman of a site on which they worked together.  The defendant argued diminished responsibility based on his psychiatric state, however this was dismissed by the jury. S was handed the life sentence with a minimum term of 22 years.

• R v C [Chelmsford] 2022

  Defendng in multi-handed murder

  Danny Robinson QC lead Nick Robinson on a multi-handed murder of a woman who died from head injuries, following a fight. During the lengthy trial, the Judge decided there was not enough evidence for our client to be charged with murder or manslaughter. C was found guilty of ABH and sentenced to 6 months. Counsel was instructed by Martin Tracy of Brooklyn Law Solicitors.

• R v. S, W and W [Wood Green] 2022

  £170k voodoo money cleaning scam

  Sam Willis prosecuted this case of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation, where the defendants had convinced a vulnerable victim to give her life savings over to them to be 'cleansed' of voodoo. The evidence presented over an 8-day trial included hours of audio recordings, showing that the defendants never had any intention of returning the £170k cash.

• R v TK [Kingston Crown Court] 2022

  Rape

  Catherine Farrelly prosecutes male convicted of rape.

  Press report

• R v MK [Bristol Crown Court] 2022

  Large Scale Frauds

  Catherine Farrelly prosecuted male convicted of large-scale frauds.

  Press Report

• R v DO & Ors [Central Criminal Court] 2022

  Murder

  Catherine Farrelly, led by John Price QC, prosecutes two males convicted of murder.

  Press Report

• R v. Ali Ali 2022

  Prosecution of Islamist terrorist for the murder of Sir David Amess MP

  Jonathan Polnay, led by Tom Little QC, prosecuted this high profile murder concerning the tragic killing of the much loved Conservative MP for Southend, Sir David Amess MP.

  Wikipedia link here.

• R v AL [Luton Crown Court] 2022

  Conspiracy to Produce Cannabis

  James Martin, leading Anna Dutka, successfully submitted there was no case to answer against the client in this 4-handed conspiracy to produce cannabis and the Judge directed not guilty verdicts. The case also involved a shoot-out over one of the cannabis factories and attracted local media attention.

• R v LCpl L [Court Martial Centre Bulford] 2019

  Attempted Rape & Sexual Assault

  Alejandra represented LCpl L who was charged with attempted rape and sexual assault.

• MB v Regina [Court of Appeal] 2020

  Appeal of Conviction

  Alejandra, led by Sarah Jones QC of Pump Court Chambers, represented the appellant who appealed his conviction on the basis that the trial judge at Preston Crown Court had made an error of law when ruling on a section 41 application and matters that ought to have been left to the jury, had not been. At appeal, the Court of Appeal quashed all the convictions, and a re-trial was ordered.  Having received a 12-year sentence following the first trial, MB was acquitted of all charges at the retrial.

• LCpl TL v Regina 2021

  Appeal of Sentence

  Alejandra represented TL at the Court of Appeal in an appeal against sentence. TL pleaded guilty to attempted rape and sexual assault on two separate complainants. It was alleged that following a drunken night out, TL snuck into the two complainant’s army barracks through the window and attacked them as they slept.

• R v Sig Q [Court Martial Centre Bulford] 2021

  Sexual Assault

  Alejandra represented Sig Q who was charged with sexual assault. Following an application to dismiss, the SPA decided to accept pleas to lesser offences of a non-sexual nature.

• R v MMJ [Woolwich Crown Court] 2021

  Attempted Murder & Wounding with Intent

  Alejandra was instructed as sole counsel to represent MMJ, a youth, charged with attempted murder and wounding with intent following a gang-related stabbing in South East London.

  News Report

• R v ARF [Kingston Crown Court] 2021

  Rape, Sexual Assault & Voyeurism

  Alejandra was instructed as sole counsel to represent ARF charged with Rape, sexual assault and voyeurism. The Crown’s case was that after a night out at Viper Rooms in Kingston, the Defendant went back to the complainant’s home uninvited, and while the complainant slept he touched the complainants clitoris on two separate occasions, took pictures of her naked as she slept and raped her. It was alleged that the incidents happened as the complainant’s friend slept in the same bed.

  Following a four-day trial, the Defendant was acquitted on all counts.

  News Report

   

• R v AB [Winchester Crown Court] 2021

  Manslaughter & Attempted Robbery

  Alejandra was led by Sarah Jones QC of Pump Court Chambers who was charged with manslaughter and attempted robbery. 

   

• London Borough of Barking & Dagenham v AM & Ors [Snaresbrook Crown Court] 2019

  Perjury

  Following a 3-week trial with four Defendants, Alejandra’s client, the second Defendant was acquitted of perjury.

  News Report

   

• R v LCpl BM [Court Martial Centre Bulford] 2022

  Sexual Assault

  LCpl BM was charged with sexual assault following an alleged incident at BATUS where it was alleged that LCpl BM grabbed the complainant from behind and licked the back of her neck.

  Due to severe investigative failures by the RMP, Alejandra made an abuse of process application which resulted in the Service Prosecuting Authority offering no evidence.

• R v ME [Bournemouth Crown Court] 2022

  Attempted Murder

  Alejandra was instructed to represent MR, as sole counsel, who was charged with Attempted Murder. It was alleged that following a domestic incident, ME strangled his mother until lost consciousness and then left her for dead.

• R v MF [Lewes Crown Court] 2022

  Kidnap & Rape of a Child

  Alejandra was instructed as sole counsel to represent MF who was charged with kidnap and rape of a 6-year-old child. It was alleged that MF snatched the 6-year-old complainant from the front garden of her home as she played, took her into a nearby park and raped her.

• R v MB & GB [Salisbury Crown Court] 2022

  Fraud, Willful Neglect & Theft

  Alejandra was led by Mark Ruffell of Pump Court Chambers in prosecuting MB and GB. The Defendants were charged with fraud, willful neglect, and theft, arising out of their supply of care services to a large number od disabled and vulnerable adults. It was alleged that MB and GB were overcharging for the provision of care, stealing money from the individuals that they cared for and willfully neglecting the same individuals.

• R v AD [Bournemouth Crown Court] 2022

  Child Destruction

  Alejandra was led by James Newton-Price QC of Pump Court Chambers is representing AD who was charged with child destruction, wounding with intent and perverting the course of justice. The prosecution case was that AD assaulted his pregnant partner by delivering blows to the stomach that caused the placental abruption that led to the baby’s still birth.

  News Report

   

• R v Sqn Ldr J [Court Martial Centre Catterick] 2022

  Sexual Assault

  Alejandra represented Squadron Leader J who was charged with sexual assault following an alleged incident that is said to have occurred during a commemorative dinner at an RAF Station. Following Alejandra’s submissions on abuse of process, the prosecution offered no evidence.

• R v CK [Central Criminal Court] 2022

  Perverting the Course of Justice - ONGOING

  Alejandra is being led by Liam Walker QC of Doughty Street Chambers in representing CK, a well known rapper on the Urban music scene. CK is charged with perverting the course of justice and possession of ammunition without a firearm certificate following a gang related tit-for-tat shooting on the Harrow Road in 2019.  

  The five-month trial took place in 2022, following which the jury were unable to reach verdicts for CK. A re-trial is due to take place in October 2023.

  News Reports:

  https://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/crime/four-men-due-trial-after-craig-small-killing-8025776

  https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/wembley-north-london-craig-small-arrests-fatal-shooting-a4527081.html

  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-48926769

  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-49659365

   

• R v JD & Others [Isleworth Crown Court] 2022

  Import of Class A Drugs - ONGOING

  Alejandra is being led by John Okajov of 2 Harcourt Buildings in prosecuting Operation Genie. The Defendants are charged with offences relating to the importation of cocaine from Colombia though London Heathrow Airport. It is alleged that arrangements for couriers, collection and transportation of the class A drugs were made through EncoChat and various other Telephones.

  News Report

• R v AJ [Kingston Crown Court] 2022

  Attempted Rape - ONGOING

  Alejandra is being led by Ali Naseem Bajwa KC of QEB Hollis Whiteman, in representing AJ, a local musician, who is charged with attempted rape. It is alleged that after a drunken night out, AJ took the complainant to his home address and attempted to rape her as she slept.

• R v JZ & ors [Inner London Crown Court] 2023

  Employment Fraud - Ongoing

  Alejandra is instructed as sole counsel to represent JZ, who is one of 10 Defendants alleged to have been involved in a large-scale employment fraud and money laundering operation.

• R v N [Nottingham Crown Court] 2022

  ABH Against Prison Officers

  Jonathan represented one of the few remaining IPP prisoners who at this point had served 16 years for attempted robbery. 3 counts of ABH against prison officers. Defendant made admissions in court and the assaults were caught on CCTV. Acquitted unanimously. 

• R v B [Snaresbrook Crown Court] 2022

  s.18 (GBH)

  Following CCTV edvidence defendant was acquitted.

• R v O-C [Inner London Crown Court] 2022

  Sexual Assault

  Defendant was acquitted of two sexual assaults following ID and forensic evidence.

• R v MA [Snaresbrook Crown Court] 2022

  Robbery

  Defendant did not give evidence and was acquitted.

• R v MS [Woolwich Crown Court] 2022

  Sexual Activity with a Child

  Multiple allegations of sexual activity with a child.  Defendant did not give evidence and was acquitted.

• R v O & Others [Sheffield Crown Court] 2022

  Fraud

  Conspiracy to possess fraudulent ID documents. Multi-handed case. Only defendant to be acquitted.

• R v. Newport [Snaresbrook] 2022

  PE teacher convicted by a jury of inciting his ex- student to send nude photographs

  Fiona Ryan prosecuted this former PE teacher who was convicted by a jury of inciting his ex- student to send nude photographs. Following legal argument, the judge was also satisfied that sexual touching of the 13 yr old student, to which he had pleaded guilty on a limited basis, went beyond what he had accepted.

• R v. Varga [Harrow] 2022

  Fiona Ryan prosecuted this attempted rape, sexual assault and robbery. The defendant was charged with a violent attempted oral rape by a stranger. Defendant pleaded guilty on day 1 of trial. Found to be dangerous and sentenced to life imprisonment with minimum of 8 years, taking time spent in custody into account. Would have been a 12 year determinate sentence.

• R v. Waheed [Snaresbrook] 2022

  Sexual activity with a child

  Fiona Ryan prosecuted a 40 year old man for sexual activity with a child, utilising s.28 procedure for evidence of schoolgirl victim.  Defendant convicted after trial.

• R v. Clarke [Snaresbrook] 2022

  Sexual assaults upon clients by a massage therapist

  Fiona Ryan prosecuted a massage therapist for sexual assaults upon clients. Guilty pleas on day 1 of trial. Sentenced to imprisonment and prohibited from engaging in any type of ‘bodywork’ on females whether on a paid or voluntary basis.

• R v. H [Wood Green] 2021

  Father convicted of Sexual Assaults on 11 year old daughter

  Fiona Ryan prosecuted this assault of a child under 13 by penetration. The father of the 11 year old victim was convicted by a jury for sexually assault and digital penetration of his 11 year old daughter. Sentenced to 6 years 6 months’ imprisonment.

• R v. O’Brien [Wood Green] 2021

  Assault by penetration whilst asleep on a bus

  Fiona Ryan prosecuted this assault by penetration. The Defendant attacked a woman on a bus while she slept. Change of plea on day 4 of trial, after victim had given evidence. Sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment.

• R v R [Central Criminal Court] 2021

  Murder of homeless woman during covid lockdown

  ‘Vicious’ attacker murdered ‘gentle’ homeless woman as she slept outside Plaistow church | Evening Standard

• R v SJ [Kingston Crown Court] 2021

  Successful defence of severely disabled woman accused of facilitating the rape of a child

  Charlotte Newell QC defended a young woman with significant physical disabilities, wheelchair bound and non-verbal accused of facilitating the rape of a child by her boyfriend. Charlotte together with Talitha Gilpin of Birds solicitors prepared sought targeted expert reports as to the Defendant’s susceptibility to abuse establishing that she too was a victim of coercion and abuse. Following comprehensive representations the Crown offered no evidence.

• R v TP and AP [Inner London Crown Court] 2021

  Prosecution of brothers for historic familial rape

  Charlotte Newell QC and William Davis successfully prosecuted brothers for historic rape and abuse of their 3 sisters.

• R v C [Croydon CC] 2021

  Defence of historic sexual abuse of young males

  Charlotte Newell QC instructed by Diana Payne of Blackfords represented elderly man accused of the rape and sexual abuse of numerous boys and young men over a 40 year period. 

• R v B [Woolwich Crown Court] 2021

  Domestic homocide

  Charlotte Newell QC successfully prosecuted Romanian man for the murder of his girlfriend who he had brought to the UK to work in prostitution.

  Vasile Bratu: Abusive husband stabbed wife to death with scissors after haircut row | Evening Standard

• R v B & M [Snaresbrook Crown Court] 2021

  Rape and sexual abuse by male in his 60s offering “sugar daddy” arrangements with teenage girls

  Charlotte Newell QC and Catherine Farrelly successfully prosecuted professional male in his 60s who groomed and abused a series of young girls offering “sugar daddy” arrangements, deploying BDSM abuse and introducing his brother into “threesome” sexual activity.

  John Bancroft: Essex man sentenced to 25 years for using dating apps to sexually exploit seven teenage girls | UK News | Sky News

• R v AT & Ors [Central Criminal Court] 2022

  Unlawful killing following mass brawl in south – East London

  Charlotte Newell QC led James Brown in this trial at the Central Criminal Court.

  Mum's life 'shattered into pieces' after Chilsehurst plumber Frankie Bulbrook chased and killed in mass brawl (msn.com)

   

• R v RH [Inner London Crown Court] 2022

  Murder of teenager by best friend

  Charlotte Newell QC successfully prosecuted teenager for stabbing his best friend to death in front of his mother and brother. Witnesses and Defendant both vulnerable and requiring intermediaries and adaptations to the Court process.

  Nineteen-year-old guilty of stabbing a teenager in front of his family – Southwark News

• R v IK [Oxford Crown Court] 2022

  Rape

  Successful defence of man accused of raping his wife.

• R v A Youth [Liverpool Crown Court] 2022

  Prosecution of 14 year old boy for murder of 12 year old girl in Liverpool City Centre

  Charlotte Newell QC and Frederick Hookway successfully prosecuted one of Britain’s youngest murderers for the fatal stabbing of a 12 year old girl stabbed to death in Liverpool City Centre.

  Ava White: Boy who killed girl, 12, in Snapchat row gets life - BBC News

• R v MA [Isleworth Crown Court] 2021

  Murder of vulnerable male cuckooed by serial liar and drug user

  Charlotte Newell QC prosecuted the murder of this vulnerable male. Defendant chose to represent himself part way through trial.

  Frail 55-year-old man murdered by fake nephew who took over his life in three weeks (yahoo.com)

• Operation Tambov [Iselworth CC] 2022

  Murder

  Led junior for the prosecution in a three-handed murder [Instructed by CPS, Homicide Unit].

  Deceased stabbed to death in Parsons Green.

• Operation Tembe [Wood Green Crown Court] 2022

  Two-handed Murder

  Two-handed murder trial. First defendant stabbed the deceased in clear view of CCTV cameras. Second-defendant was in the vicinity at the time that the fatal wound was concerned. Case required detailed submissions in relation to joint enterprise. Instructed by CPS, Homicide.

  Led by Bill Boyce KC

  https://www.itv.com/news/london/2022-02-27/london-teenager-brutally-murdered-while-acting-as-peacemaker

• Operation Venetic [Southwark Crown Court] 2022

  Conspiracy to Supply Cocaine

  Leading junior. Five-handed conspiracy to supply cocaine trial. Evidence obtained as part of Operation Venetic. Defendants alleged to be involved in conspiracy to supply £10m of cocaine. [Instructed by CPS, SCU]

• R v S [Isleworth CC] 2022

  Attempted Murder

  15 year-old defendant charged with attempted murder.  Stabbed the victim on fifteen occasions in a street in East London.

  Jury discharged; re-trial in 2023.

• R v B [Central Criminal Court] 2022

  Death by Dangerous Driving

  Prosecution of young defendant for causing death by dangerous driving. The deceased was fifteen years of age and riding an e-scooter at the time of the collision. Instructed by CPS, Homicide.

  https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/man-james-biscoe-killed-teenager-junior-alexander-driving-drunk-bromley-london-crime-b1004381.html

   

   

• Operation Tambo [Central Criminal Court] 2022

  Three Handed Murder

  Three-handed murder trial at the Central Criminal Court. First defendant charged with murdering a fellow resident at the YMCA hostel in Wimbledon. Two further defendants alleged to have helped him conceal the murder weapon in a vent. Case involved detailed analysis of hours of CCTV footage.  Instructed by CPS, Homicide.

  Led by Anthony Orchard KC

   

• R v JD [Luton Crown Court] 2017

  Preventing Lawful Burial

  Defended in R. v. JD: 2017, Luton Crown Court, preventing lawful burial, perverting the course of justice.  Jury could not agree on verdicts.  Prosecution dropped the lawful burial charge at re-trial.

• R v NDT [Wood Green Crown Court] 2019

  s18

  Defended in R. v. NDT, Wood Green Crown Court.  Acquitted of s18 (alleged gang stabbing).

• R v C [Woolwich Crown Court] 2020

  Supply of Class A Drugs

  Defended in R. v. C, Woolwich Crown Court, conspiracy to supply Class A drugs: sole defendant (of 9) to be acquitted.

• R v AB [Newcastle Crown Court] 2021

  Death by Careless Driving

  Defended in R. v. AB, Newcastle Crown Court, death by careless driving. 

• R v MB [Wood Green Crown Court] 2020

  Rape

  Defended in R. v. MB, Wood Green Crown Court, multiple complainant rape case.

• R v IB [Central Criminal Court] 2022

  Money Laundering

  Defended in R. v. IB: 2022, Central Criminal Court at Nightingale Court: acquitted of money laundering and jury could not agree on multiple charges of offering Class A drugs.

• R v AO [Central Criminal Court] 2022

  GBH & other charges

  Defended in R. v. AO, Central Criminal Court: sole defendant (of 4) to be acquitted by the jury of all charges: conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm, conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life, violent disorder.  This case related to a linked series of shootings.

• R v NH [Central Criminal Court] 2022 2022

  Murder - Ongoing

  Alejandra is being led by Liam Walker KC in representing NH, a youth, charged with murder. The Crowns case is that NH, together with his co-defendants murdered the victim by stabbing him repeatedly to the chest and back. The Crown’s case against NH is that he acted jointly with his co-defendants despite not being the person who delivered the fatal stabs. The case is heavily reliant upon expert evidence, bad character and gang evidence.

• R v AK [Southwark Crown Court] 2023

  Money Laundering - Ongoing

  Alejandra is being led by Jeffrey Israel in representing AK, one of eight defendants accused of defrauding a large number of victims and businesses in the UK, Canada, Trinidad & Tobago and the USA. The total sum of monies defrauded is over £3m. The Crown’s case is that the organised crime group arranged a large number of payment diversion frauds where victims were defrauded into diverting direct debit payments to ‘mule’ accounts. One of the business targeted is said to be American Express. Having obtained the money through the diversion frauds, it is alleged that the money was then laundered through mule accounts. This case involves voluminous amounts of banking and telephone evidence.

• R v. Finch - C.C.C. 2021

  Official Secrets Act

  Matk Heywood KC led the Prosecution and subsequent reference of sentence to Court of Appeal of defence contractor employed by BAe Systems who compiled records of highly secret operational information relating to a missile system currently in service with the UK armed forces and abroad and then travelled to Europe to send copies by email to multiple recipients.  Extremely unusual conviction for an offence under section 1 of the Official Secrets Act 1911.

  News Article.

• Operation Balaban - Southwark 2019

  Multi-Million £ Carbon Credit Fraud

  Mark Heywood KC defended in this £7 million carbon credit fraud listed for three months.  Following extensive legal argument before the close of its case, the Crown, who relied in large part on evidence of the state of the carbon credit market at the relevant time, was forced to acknowledge that its expert fell well short of the standards required in legal proceedings and that there had been disclosure failings such that it was unfair to continue to try the defendants. This case hit the headlines after the alleged expert, Andrew Ager, was discredited leading to many other convictions to be looked into on alleged mis-selling of carbon credits.

  BBC News Article

• Operation Cullinan 2021

  Multi-Company Boiler Room Fraud

  Mark Heywood KC leading Gregory Fishwick defended in this multi-company boiler room fraud that sold diamonds as investments. The Crown’s case was that a team of brokers including Lewis Bloor from The Only Way is Essex used false identities and pressure sales techniques to con elderly and vulnerable people from hundreds of thousands.The evidence against them included a purported confession that was excluded upon application by the Defence.  The Crown also sought to include companies either side of the Indictment period as evidence of bad character but this again was successfully resisted. The Defence managed to show that the Crown’s disclosure was fundamentally flawed.  Having read the written submissions the Crown initially dispensed with their own expert who had valued the stones and nearly worthless.  Having then considered the supplemental written submissions on disclosure the Crown had to concede that they could not continue to prosecute any and all of the Defendants. Instructed by Bark & Co.

  BBC News Article.

• Operation Kandla 2022

  Health & Safety Prosecution under the Medicines Act 1968

  Mark Heywood KC led William Davis in the prosecution of a company that manufactures total parenteral nutrition, which is supplied to vulnerable patients receiving nutrition intravenously. In 2014 a contaminated batch was supplied to hospitals treating severely premature babies. 19 babies developed infections as a result, and one died. After protracted and contentious litigation, the defendant company pleaded guilty to a health and safety offence and to offences under the Medicines Act 1968. The company was sentenced in April 2022.

  BBC News Article.

• Operation Rayak 2022

  Swedish Gangland Assasination

  Mark Heywood KC led for the Crown in this case involving a Swedish Gangland assassination of a member of a leading figure in Swedish organised crime by a rival group who carried out the shooting by firing 10 shots at point blank range in London in front of the victim’s wife and 2 year old child. This was a carefully planned operation involving protracted surveillance of the victim, disguises, the procurement of semi automatic weapons and ammunition and a clean up operation after the event. 

  News Article.

   

• R v. Dr S [Isleworth] 2021

  Doctor charged with multiple sexual assaults upon a colleague

  Sarah Forshaw KC was privately instructed to represent this Doctor whom it was alleged had assaulted, on numerous occassions, a female colleague, whilst on duty. Following a seven day trial the defendant was acquitted. Instructed by Berkeley Square Solicitors.. 

• R v. AS [Maidstone] 2022

  'First Date' Rape

  Sarah Forshaw KC was instructed privately to defend AS who had been accused of oral, anal and vaginal rape following a first date, after meeting on the 'Hinge' dating app. Following a nine day trial the defendant was found not guilty of all charges. Instructed by Blackfords LLP.

• R v. Dr B [Southwark] 2022

  Dr accused of deliberately infecting partner with HIV

  Sarah Forshaw KC defended this Doctor whom it was accused of deliberately infecting his boyfriend with HIV. They had met on the 'GRINDR' app and had a consensual sexual relationship but it was later alleged that the defendant had failed to disclose his HIV positive status. The Jury was discharged after a 5 day trial and the Crown subsequently offered no evidence.

• R v. LD & ors [Wood Green] 2022

  North London Shooting in broad daylight.

  Sarah Forshaw KC represented one of four defendants in this trial involving a fatal North London 'shooting'. The Deceased was shot twice in broad daylight on housing estate in Edmonton. Case involved the analysis of CCTV and Cell Site evidence to demonstrate how the Defendants happened to ‘spot’ the deceased and follow him around the streets of Edmonton before two of them exited a car and shot him at close range. Cut throat defences were run. Evidence as to the Defendants’ association and clothing worn by the shooter at the time of the killing was admitted  through drill videos recovered from You Tube. Trial commenced on the 4th October 2021 and concluded on the 18th March 2022. Jury were in retirement for 100 hours and 19 minutes. Sarah Forshaw's client was the only defendant acquitted of murder.

• Operation Caliadne [Woolwich] 2022

  EncroChat cocaine supply conspiracy

  Sam Willis, led by William Davis, prosecuted this EncroChat OCG who were involved in the supply of 30+ kilos of cocaine around London. The case was in the first wave of prosecutions following the infiltration of the Encro network, and the trial involved several admissibility arguments relating to the source, integrity and reliability of the data. A further complicating factor was that the lead defendant’s wife was a serving Met Police officer.

  Sam was instructed by the CPS London Complex Casework Unit.

  https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/b3a210dc-7986-11ed-bcd8-855e06175970

  https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1700940/Julian-Agalliu-metropolitan-police-drugs-encrochat-system-uncovered/amp

  https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/met-police-pc-agalliu-cocaine-cannabis-encrochat-barnet-kensington-b1042254.html?amp

• Operation Lynne [Chelmsford] 2023

  OCG providing false passports for cash

  Sam Willis, led by Dickon Reid, prosecuted this organised crime group who were facilitating illegal entry into the UK by providing false passports in exchange for cash. Over a six-week trial, evidence against the seven defendants was presented showing numerous trips to European cities where false passports were handed over to asylum seekers who then used them to board flights to the UK.

  Legal issues during the case included the use of evidence from foreign law enforcement authorities, the admissibility of a modern slavery expert's opinion on the evidence, and the extent to which a claim to be a modern slave could amount to an abuse of process.

  Sam was instructed by the CPS East of England Complex Casework Unit.

  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/people-smuggling-gang-jailed-for-26-years

• R v T & 7 Ors [Leeds Crown Court] 2022

  Money Laundering

  Rupert Kent was instructed by Kangs Solicitors as a led junior in a 7-month trial of eight defendants alleged to have been complicit in the United Kingdom’s largest ever money laundering scheme, in which £266 million in cash was allegedly laundered through the international trading of gold bullion.

• R v IA & Others [Southwark Crown Court] 2021

  Conspiracy Class A Drugs & Firearms

  Ria was led by James Martin in this multi-kilo Class A drugs conspiracy involving firearms. The case featured extensive Encrochat, probe and surveillance evidence.

• R v DB & Others [Central Criminal Court] 2021

  Conspiracy to Murder

  Ria was led by David Nathan QC of 33 Bedford Row and instructed to represent DB in a ten week trial involving two allegations of conspiracy to murder and alternative offences of Conspiracy to Cause GBH with Intent and Conspiracy to Possess Firearms with Intent to Cause Fear of Violence. The Crown’s case was that DB had been enlisted by the first defendant to carry out contract shootings on behalf of a senior gang member residing in Turkey and operating on an Encrochat phone. DB was acquitted of all conspiracies arising from the allegations of planned contract killings.

• R v HS [Snaresbrook Crown Court] 2022

  Possession with Intent to Supply Class A Drugs

  Ria was instructed to represent ZW who was the sole tenant of a property where a significant quantity of Class A drugs were found. Ria successfully argued that a video ostensibly showing ZW preparing crack cocaine was inadmissible, leading to the video being excluded and the Crown offering no evidence.

• R v RK & Others [Central Criminal Court] 2022

  Murder, Conspiracy to Pervert the Course of Justice

  Ria was led by James Scobie QC of Garden Court Chambers and instructed to represent RK who faced trial for Murder and Conspiracy to Pervert the Course of Justice. It was alleged that RK and one of his co-defendants jointly attacked the deceased and then spent days covering up the death, ultimately setting fire to the deceased’s body in a public park. Shortly before trial, the Crown accepted a guilty plea to Manslaughter and Perverting the Course of Justice.

• R v DG and Another [Croydon Crown Court] - Ongoing 2022

  Assault by Penetration

  Ria is instructed to represent DG who is charged with two counts of assault by penetration against the complainant who was intoxicated and alleges being forced to have group sex with DG and his co-defendant.

• R v DO & Others [Croydon Crown Court] - Ongoing 2022

  Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs

  Ria is instructed to represent a sex worker, alleged to have conspired to supply over a kilo of cocaine.

• R v KS – [Central Criminal Court] - Ongoing 2022

  Rape

  Ria is instructed to represent KS who is charged with two counts of rape. It is alleged that having been invited with his friends back to the complainant’s flat, he entered her bedroom while she was drunk and asleep and vaginally and anally raped her. 

• R v DB & Another – [Snaresbrook Crown Court] - Ongoing 2022

  s.18 GBH with Intent, Robbery

  Ria is instructed to represent one of two brothers, charged with GBH with Intent and Robbery. It is alleged that the complainant was followed and pursued by the pair, threatened at knife point and beaten until he handed over his property.

• R v TP & Others – [Wood Green Crown Court] - Ongoing 2022

  Kidnap

  Ria is instructed to represent TP who is one of three defendants charged with kidnap. It is alleged that the complainant was dragged into a car at knifepoint and threatened for money believed to be held by his wealthy father.

• R v. Akhtar [Southwark & C.O.A.] 2016, R v. Akhtar [2016] EWCA Crim 390 2016

  Appeal against a decision to stay proceedings

  Successfully defended a prosecution appeal against a decision to stay proceedings involving a vulnerable defendant where special measures were essential for a fair trial, but had not been put in place by the Court.

• R v AA [CCC] 2021

  Attempted Murder

  Led by Rupert Kent, prosecuting a father charged with attempting to murder his young daughter by stabbing.  Trial was before by a High Court judge, and issues relating to mental health, capacity, and the admissibility of confessions to medical professionals arose.

• R v BS [Basildon] 2022

  Attempted Murder

  Instructed as junior alone to prosecute a 15 year old for the attempted murder by stabbing of another teenage boy.

• R v S, B, P, Q, R [Snaresbrook] 2022

  Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs

  Leading Dominic Hockley, 2HB – prosecution of an organised crime group identified through Operation Venetic, involving Encrochat and SkyECC material.  The group had conspired to supply wholesale quantities of Class A drugs, and weapons including a Skorpion machine pistol and handguns.

• R v FD & RJ [Guildford] 2022 2022

  Romance Fraud

  Leading Anna Dutka, and instructed by the Serious Economic, Organised Crime and International Directorate (SEOCID) of the CPS, prosecuted this case of romance fraud, where vulnerable victims were defrauded of £426,311.68. Victims were targeted based on their sexuality, age and poor health, with the defendants posing as younger men seeking romantic relationships to gain trust. Over 80 victims were identified. The defendants were sentenced to 8 years and 3 years 9 months’ imprisonment respectively.

  News articles:

  https://www.cps.gov.uk/cps/news/romance-fraudster-who-scammed-over-ps400000-victims-jailed

  https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/surrey-singleton-conned-fraudsters-who-25828717

• R v D, H, H, M, D, L-F [Guildford Crown Court] 2021

  Conspiracy to Convey Drugs into Prison

  Instructed as junior alone to prosecute a multihanded conspiracy to convey drugs into prison, involving admissibility of intercepted telephone calls.

• R v S-P & T [Southwark] 2023

  Investment Fraud

  Ben Holt led for the prosecution in this trial of two defendants alleged convicted of committing fraud by abuse of position in relation to investments made on behalf of clients. Both were directors of an advisory business. They fraudulently advised their clients to invest in an investment scheme that they had set up. Both businesses failed; leaving their clients at a financial loss. [Instructed by CPS, SFD Manchester].

• R v Kersys [Kingston] 2022

  One Punch Manslaughter

  Ben Holt was sole prosecution counsel in a ‘one-punch manslaughter’ trial.

   

• Operation Locomotion [Southwark] 2022

  VAT evasion

  Lead prosecutor in a six-handed VAT evasion trial. The defendants were convicted of setting up a warehouse in Essex that was used to divert alcohol that should have been travelling under bond. The scheme was running for almost a year; the total loss to the Revenue was over £2m.  Instructed by CPS, SFD Liverpool.

• R v O [Wood Green] 2022

  Attempted Murder of mothers partner

  Prosecution of a man for attempted murder. He attacked his mother’s partner with a baseball bat.  Instructed by CPS, London.

• R v Charkaoui & Ors [Southwark] 2022

  Conspiracy to supply 250kgs of Cocaine

  Lead prosecution counsel in a five-handed large-scale drug supply conspiracy. The main two-defendants were alleged to have been involved in the supply of 250kgs of cocaine over a two-year period.  Instructed by CPS, SCU.

• R v BL [Wood Green Crown Court] 2023

  Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs

  Alejandra was instructed as the Leading Junior to represent BL who was charged with Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs. The case related to a large-scale conspiracy to supply drugs across the UK, involving voluminous telephone downloads, covert observations and police intelligence records.

  The trial was halted during the Crown’s case and the jury was discharged.

• R v AN [Central Criminal Court] 2023

  Attempted Murder, wounding with intent and having an offensive weapon – Ongoing

  Alejandra is instructed to represent AN who is charged with Attempted Murder following a stabbing on a Victoria Line tube train. This serious charge is complicated by gang membership, bad character and CCTV evidence.

  The Defence case is that AN was acting in self-defence, having been threatened by the complainant with a knife.

  The Daily Mail - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11470433/Man-charged-stabbing-16-year-old-busy-London-tube.html

  The Standard - https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/stabbing-victoria-line-train-stockwell-london-crime-b1042382.html

  Wandsworth Guardian - https://www.wandsworthguardian.co.uk/news/23151139.victoria-line-tube-stabbing-man-charged-attempted-murder/

  The Sun - https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/20554323/teen-charged-schoolboy-stabbed-tube-train/

• R v JB [Woolwich Crown Court] 2023

  Rape, ABH and Bladed Article

  Alejandra, acting on behalf of the CPS, prosecuted JB who was charged with three counts of rape, ABH and threats with a bladed article.

  The Crown’s case was that JB had booked the complainant via an esort service to attend his home for companionship. Upon the complainant attending, JB refused to pay for her services and instead raped her vaginally and orally before assaulting her.

• R v BAC [Woolwich Crown Court] 2023

  Rape, Assault by Penetration and Sexual Assault

  Alejandra, acting on behalf of the CPS, is instructed to prosecute the case against BAC who is charged with seven counts of rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault.

  The Crown’s case is that BAC took advantage of the complainant’s drunken state following a night out for her birthday, raped her in a car park and outside a leisure center whilst she was unconscious due to intoxication and then took her to her house. When the complainant woke up the following morning, the Defendant failed to tell her that they had engaged in sexual acts the night before and instead told her that he clothes was muddy because she had fallen on the floor on the way home. The multiple rapes are captured on CCTV.

• R v DA [Cardiff Crown Court] 2023

  Kidnap, False Imprisonment & Blackmail

  As led junior Phoebe defends in a 12 handed trial involving allegations of kidnap, false imprisonment and blackmail. The prosecution allege that a Harrow gang kidnapped a number of men in Wales and transported one back to London where he was held for ransom. Phoebe is led by Jeffrey Israel.

• R v ME [St Albans Crown Court] 2023

  Multiple Rapes & Assault

  Sarah Forshaw KC led Phoebe Bragg in the defence of a man accused of multiple rapes, assaults and harassment by a former partner. The Crown eventually offered no evidence before a jury was sworn. Instructed by James Farrell of Weightmans.

• R v VC [Southwark Crown Court] 2023

  Confiscation Proceedings

  Phoebe prosecutes in confiscation proceedings involving a multi-million pound mortgage fraud. These proceedings involve the application to vary the original confiscation order on the basis of ownership of property, principles of joint ownership and third party interests.

• Operation Arabica [Isleworth Crown Court] 2023

  Conspiracy to Burgle

  Phoebe was led junior in the prosecution of 8 defendants accused of conspiracies to burgle Tiffany & Co, Hermes and other luxury goods stores across Knightsbridge.

• R v MM [Isleworth Crown Court] 2023

  Rape & Controlling & Coercive Behaviour

  Sarah Forshaw KC leading Phoebe Bragg defended this trainee solicitor accused of rape and controlling and coercive behaviour over the course of an intimate relationship. The prosecution ultimately offered no evidence following a litany of disclosure failures and representations made by the defence. Instructed by Hickman and Rose.

• Anjorin [2022] EWCA Crim 1931 2022

  Appeal of Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs

  Alejandra represented the Appellant at the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) on an appeal against sentence following the imposition of a 28-month sentence of immediate imprisonment at Norwich Crown Court,  following guilty pleas to two counts of Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs.

  It was successfully argued that the sentencing judge had failed to apply any discount to the Appellant’s sentence for personal circumstances and personal mitigation.

  Following successful appeal, the sentence was reduced to 24 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years.

  https://crimeline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/anjorin.pdf

• R v. S and A [Luton] 2023

  Long-running employee fraud against the NHS

  Sam Willis prosecuted this case of fraud by false representation and abuse of position, where an NHS worker had been submitting fabricated timesheets that were then paid by his partner (a manager in the same department). During a two-week trial, various strands of evidence collected by the NHS Counter Fraud Authority were presented to the jury, including timesheets, emails, door access records, and computer access logs.

  Sam was instructed by the CPS Serious Economic, Organised Crime and International Directorate.

• R v. P [Southwark] 2023

  Rape, Sexual Assault & False Imprisonment

  Sarah Forshaw KC leading Valeria Swift and instructed by Nick Vamos of Peters & Peters, represented this young man from a wealthy and prominent overseas family, who was found not guilty of all charges against him following a two-week trial at Southwark Crown Court in February 2023.
  
  Accusations made by his former girlfriend had resulted in a six-count indictment, including allegations of sexual assault, false imprisonment and rape. He was released under investigation shortly after his arrest, and was granted bail to return to and remain in his home country until the trial. Peters & Peters obtained permission for him to attend all pre-trial hearings remotely. The allegations date back to 2018. Trial was originally scheduled for early 2022, but was adjourned owing to prosecution disclosure failures. The failures continued up to and during trial, with a number of disclosure hearings taking place, and significant items of disclosure provided only on the day the case was opened to the jury.
  
  Following the two-week trial, during which the client gave evidence, the jury returned unanimous not guilty verdicts on all charges after less than three hours’ deliberation.
   

• Operation Forte [Croydon] 2023

  Spree of commercial burglaries across London committed by OCG

  Sam Willis, led by Charlotte Hole, prosecuted this case of an OCG committing a spree of commercial burglaries across London. The group targeted bookmakers and other shops, typically breaking in during the night using sledgehammers and then cutting open the shop's safe using power tools. Investigated by the Flying Squad, the evidence against the eight defendants was presented over four weeks and included CCTV, covert surveillance, forensics, mobile telephone downloads, and cell site mapping.

  Sam was instructed by the CPS Complex Casework Unit.

  https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/croydon-burglary-gang-jailed-met-flying-squad-b1088840.html

  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12213239/Gang-masked-bookie-burglars-stole-50k-string-raids-jailed.html

• R v W & 1 Other [Central Criminal Court] 2023

  Murder

  Rupert Kent was instructed by the CPS Homicide Team as led junior in this two-handed seven-week trial relating to a 2018 murder, with knives and a firearm, committed by members of a London gang. The trial involved calling an acquitted defendant from an earlier trial as a prosecution witness.

• R v S & 6 Others [Bournemouth Crown Court] 2023

  Drugs Supply & Modern Slavery

  Rupert Kent was instructed by CPS London South as leading junior in this seven-handed two-month trial focussing on the county lines class A drug supply activity of a London based gang who targeted vulnerable drug addicts in Bournemouth, and used children as drugs runners.

• R v A & 2 Others [St Albans Crown Court] 2023

  Fraud & Bribery

  Rupert Kent was instructed by the CPS’s Serious Economic Organised Crime and International Directorate as a led junior in this three-handed three-month trial centring around the large-scale and dishonest procurement of goods by an employee of, and suppliers to, an NHS Trust.

• R v B & 3 Others [Southwark Crown Court] 2022

  Money Laundering

  Rupert Kent was instructed by the CPS London Complex Casework Unit as leading junior in this two-handed money laundering case, involving the activities of an organised criminal group who laundered the criminal proceeds of stolen, and ‘rung’, vehicles.

• R v G & 1 Other [Isleworh Crown Court] 2022

  Confiscation

  Rupert Kent was instructed by the CPS Proceeds of Crime Unit as leading junior in a three day contested confiscation proceedings arising out of 1,300 pages of statutory statements and appendices.

• R v. V [CCC] 2023

  Hatchet killer convicted of murder

  Sam Willis, led by Catherine Pattison, prosecuted this murder where the defendant was relying on the partial defence of diminished responsibility. The defendant accepted that he had killed his sister-in-law by brutally attacking her with a hatchet, but claimed that he had been suffering from paranoid delusions at the time that caused him to see her as a manifestation of the devil. The prosecution’s case was that this ’sham defence’ had been concocted by the defendant after his arrest to avoid the consequences of his actions. Following a three-week trial the defendant’s account was rejected by the jury and they convicted him of murder and making a threat to kill. Complexities included contested opinion evidence from four psychiatrists and the admissibility of the defendant's previous conviction in Moldova for the unlawful killing of his ex-wife.
   
  Sam was instructed by CPS Homicide.

  https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/svetlana-mihalachi-killed-ilford-hatchet-immigration-brother-in-law-met-police-crime-b1096093.html

  https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/ferocious-killer-murdered-sister-law-8621385

  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12326551/amp/Illegal-immigrant-murdered-sister-law-hatchet-reported-Home-Office-calmly-texted-husband-tell-wife-dead.html

  https://news.met.police.uk/news/man-convicted-of-the-murder-of-svetlana-mihalachi-in-ilford-470047

• Six-handed murder 2023

  Six-handed murder

  Catherine Farrelly, led by John Price KC, prosecuted this six-handed murder trial which concluded with all six defendants being convicted of murder.

  News

  Daily Mail Article

• R v AK [Southwark Crown Court] 2023

  Client acquitted of all charges in £5m money laundering offences

  Led by Jeffrey Israel, Phoebe defended an Italian national charged with multiple money laundering offences alongside multiple co-defendants, many of whom had fled the jurisdiction. The defendant was acquitted of all offences following a six week trial at Southwark Crown Court.

   

• R v LM Kingston Crown Court 2023

  Client acquitted of rape and controlling coercive charges

  Phoebe defended a man charged with multiple rape offences and controlling and coercive behaviour. These allegations were made following the breakdown of a relationship. 

• R v Youth Isleworth Crown Court 2023

  Prosecution of attempted murder following the stabbing of a 13 year schoolboy

  Led by Frederick Hookway, Phoebe prosecuted a youth for stabbing another schoolboy 17 times on his way to school. The defendant was ultimately convicted of attempted murder, having pleaded guilty to a s.18 offence and then attempted to vacate this plea.

• R v T [Snaresbrook Crown Court] 2023

  Perverting the course of justice (murder)

  Rupert Kent was instructed by the CPS Homicide Team as a junior alone in this single-handed prosecution relating to activities, conducted 24 hours after a murder, that were intended to remove the murderer from the scene of the crime, hide him from the police overnight, and then remove him from London the following day.

• R v T & 2 Others [Leeds Crown Court] 2023

  Murder

  Rupert Kent was instructed by the CPS Complex Casework Unit as led junior in this three-handed eight week trial relating to a 2011 murder, in relation to which a witness subject to immunity from prosecution gave evidence as to the torture, murder, burial and subsequent cover-up of the victim.

• R v Keet and Others [Kingston Crown Court] 2022

  Britain's Biggest Ever Amphetamine Factory

   William Davis leading Dickon Reid prosecuted a man who ran Britain's biggest ever amphetamine factory producing £10m of the drugs a month.  He was sentenced for 18 years.

  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12073391/Gang-boss-ran-Britains-biggest-amphetamine-factory-jailed-18-years.html

• R v SO and Others [Central Criminal Court] 2022

  Revenge Killing

  William Davis, led by Danny Robinson KC prosecuted a teenager who took part in the revenge killing of a 15-year-old schoolboy.  He has been sentenced to 10 years.

  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11503973/Teenager-16-stabbed-15-year-old-schoolboy-death-revenge-killing-locked-10-years.html

• R v DC [Central Criminal Court] 2022

  Manslaughter

  William Davis led by Bill Emlyn-Jones KC, prosecuted a man who changed his plea to guilty on the first day of trial and has been given a life sentence with a minimum term of nine years and four months for assaulting his mother, leaving her with fatal injuries.

  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-64628575

• R v A&MD [Woolwich Crown Court] 2022

  Drug Trading via Encrochat

  William Davis, leading Sam Willis prosecuted a Metropolitan Police officer’s husband who used the EncroChat system to trade large quantities of cocaine and cannabis including drugs packaged with the Hublot luxury watch brand.

  https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/met-police-pc-agalliu-cocaine-cannabis-encrochat-barnet-kensington-b1042254.htmlgalliu and McNeil-Duncan

• R v HU [Central Criminal Court] 2023

  Murder

  William Davis led by Allison Hunter KC prosecuted the alleged ringleader of one of the UK's deadliest gangs and has been convicted of two murders.

  https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/22762653/mali-boys-uk-deadliest-gang-war/

• Op Melrose [CCC] 2023

  People-smuggling gang linked to 39 migrant deaths in Essex

  Ben Holt was instructed as lead prosecution counsel in this trial that arose from the investigation into the thirty-nine Vietnamese nationals who died in the rear of a lorry. Ben was previously instructed as led junior [led by Bill Emlyn-Jones KC] in the prosecution of a man for thirty-nine counts of manslaughter.  Instructed by CPS, SEOCID.

  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-67580615

  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-52206257

• Op Tamora [Isleworth] 2023

  Containers filled with 270kg of cocaine, 2,500kg of cannabis and 18.6m cigarettes

  Charlotte Hole and Sam Willis prosecuted two importers for bringing into the UK 270 kilograms of cocaine, 2.5 tonnes of cannabis and 18.6 million duty-free cigarettes, all hidden inside shipping containers. Valued at £24m, the drugs had been vacuum-packed and then secreted inside crates of animal feed, yams and oranges. The cigarettes were concealed in a similar manner, hidden inside crates of snack food, coconut fibre and biscuits - the tax that should have been paid on them if imported lawfully totalled just over £9m.

  The case followed an extensive investigation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit, who became involved when a farmer discovered 189kg of cocaine in a shipping container full of animal feed. The defendants had unsuccessfully tried to divert the container to their warehouse in London so that the drugs could be removed before the container reached the farm.

  During the 16-week trial, the conspiracy was evidenced using material from numerous encrypted communications services. The jury heard technical evidence involving cell site analysis, VPN services, and IP address resolution. 

  Charlotte and Sam were instructed by the CPS Serious Economic, Organised Crime and International Directorate (SEOCID).

  https://www.cps.gov.uk/cps/news/drug-smugglers-foiled-farmer-jailed-over-ps29-million-plot

  https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/news/2023/12/importers-of-vast-amounts-of-illegal-drugs-and-cigarettes-jailed/

  https://www.swrocu.police.uk/news/2023/12/importers-of-vast-amounts-of-illegal-drugs-and-cigarettes-jailed/

  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-67733286

  https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2023-12-16/pair-jailed-after-15m-of-drugs-hidden-in-animal-feed-delivered-to-farm

• R v MR [Snaresbrook CC] 2024

  Death by Dangerous Driving

  Anna Dutka prosecuted this sentence of causing death by dangerous driving at Snaresbrook Crown Court during which the Defendant was found to have persistently driven in a dangerous manner, ultimately causing the death of a 36-year-old woman, before fleeing the scene and attempting to steal another vehicle. He was sentenced to a custodial sentence of 11 years 3 months and disqualified from driving for 17 years. Instructed by Aisling Hosein of the CPS London Homicide Unit.

  Evening Standard News

• Op Vivalas and Kikifeet [CCC] 2024

  Revolver found after a stabbing, then a shotgun fired into a home through a letterbox

  Dickon Reid and Sam Willis prosecuted the joint case arising from Operations Vivalas and Kikifeet. After a stabbing in North London, police found a loaded Turkish revolver inside the victim’s car. Less than 48-hours later, three masked men fired a 12-bore shotgun through the letterbox of a house connected to the stabber. The prosecution’s case was that the two incidents were linked - the second being a revenge attack for the first.

• R v. AS [Snaresbrook CC] 2023

  Rape & ABH during the course of alleged sexual assault

  Sarah Forshaw KC represented this Defendant who was charged with rape and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Very unusually, the Court was persuaded that, as a matter of law, there was not enough evidence to go before a jury on the rape allegation and the charge was dismissed (application to dismiss succeeded in advance of trial.) The CPS continued with the assault charge to trial. Substantial evidence was put before the jury during a trial that lasted 2 weeks. The Defendant was unanimously acquitted of ABH in 30 minutes. Instructed by Roger Sahota of Berkeley Square Solicitors.
   

• Operation Star [Basildon Crown Court] 2024

  Drugs Conspiracy

  Prosecution of “encrochat” cocaine drugs conspiracy

• R v Dhir & Raijada [Southwark Crown Court] 2024

  Drug & Money Laundering

  Prosecution of husband and wife exporting over 7 tonnes of cocaine to Australia and associated money laundering offences. Both defendants convicted and sentenced to 33 years in prison.

• R v TK [Kingston Crown Court] 2024

  Death by Careless Driving Acquittal

  Client acquitted of causing death by careless driving. Privately instructed.

• Op Serious [Snaresbrook] 2024

  Using EncroChat to supply an AK-47, an Intratec Tec-9 automatic pistol, ammunition, and cocaine

  Sam Willis was instructed as led junior to prosecute this EncroChat Operation Venetic case involving the supply of an AK-47 assault rifle, an Intratec Tec-9 automatic pistol, ammunition, and cocaine. The nature of the case and the issues at trial required the calling of three different expert witnesses to give opinion evidence on firearms, drugs, and cell site mapping.

• R v K [Kingston CC] 2023

  One Punch Manslaughter

  Sole prosecution counsel in a ‘one-punch manslaughter’ trial. The defendant and deceased were arguing. The defendant stood up and punch the deceased once in the head. It caused him to fall back and hit his head; resulting in catastrophic brain injuries and death.  Instructed by CPS, Homicide.

• R v E [Wood Green CC] 2023

  Homicide Allegation

  Homicide allegation – stabbing in Tottenham.  ​Instructed by CPS, Homicide.

  Led by Bill Boyce KC.

   

• R v S [Isleworth Crown Court] 2023 2023

  Stabbing by 15 year old bo

  Lead prosecution counsel. The defendant, a 15 year-old boy, accused of attempted murder having stabbed an acquaintance, who was 14 years of age, a total of seventeen times.

  [Instructed by CPS, London]

• Operation Ananke [Southwark CC] 2023

  Twenty One Hander Loan Fraud

  Leading Junior for the Crown. Twenty-one handed indictment alleging a loan fraud carried out against NatWest Bank. This trial dealt with the first seven-defendants. The fraud was operated by defendants who ran a finance company in Wood Green. Two defendants were ‘inside men’ and worked within the bank. The value of the fraud was in excess of £1m.

  [Instructed by CPS, SFD].

• Operation Elite [Kingston CC] 2023

  Importation of Class A Drugs

  Defendants alleged to have imported approximately 100kgs of cocaine using a network of lorry drivers. Evidence comes from Operation Venetic.

  Leading.

• R v S [Harrow CC] 2023

  Death by Careless Driving

  The defendant had run over a man who was lying down in the middle of the road. The trial involved analysis of mobile phone usage. Defendant pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving. Hung jury in respect of death by dangerous driving.

  [Instructed by CPS, Homicide].

• R v G [Croydon CC] 2023

  Attempted Murder of Mother

  Sole prosecution counsel in this trial. The defendant was alleged to have attempted to murder his mother. Defence was insanity.  Expert evidence called by both prosecution and defence. Hung jury.  Instructed by CPS London.

• Operation Westable [CCC] 2023

  Murder & Prevention of Lawful Burial

  Successful prosecution of three defendants charged with murder and prevention of a lawful burial. The trial took three months. The prosecution called family members of the defendants in order to prove the case. Defendants jailed for life, minimum term thirty-four years. The Judge concluded that it was a sadistic murder.  Instructed by CPS, Homicide.

  Led by Allison Hunter KC [now HHJ Hunter KC].

• R v BE [Wood Green CC] 2023

  Murder

  Prosecution of a man charged with murder. Instructed by CPS, Homicide.

  Led by Bill Boyce KC.