Sam Willis

• R v. S [Croydon] 2020

  Evasion of duty on 150,000 cigarettes

  Sam Willis was instructed by the specialist fraud unit to prosecute this case of ‘tobacco smuggling’. The defendant had been importing, storing and selling cigarettes for over three years, without paying any import duty or VAT on them.

• R v. M [Canterbury] 2020

  Smuggling four illegal entrants into the UK

  Sam Willis prosecuted a man caught smuggling four Albanian nationals into the UK, using a sophisticated concealment in the back of his van.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• R v. K [Snaresbrook] 2019

  Cannabis supply

  Sam Willis acted for this defendant accused of supplying cannabis. The case involved careful analysis of evidence served late by the prosecution, including a report by a drugs expert, mobile telephone downloads and forensic drug analysis.
   

• R v. M [Woolwich] 2019

  Striking a police officer to the throat

  Sam Willis acted for this defendant who was acquitted after a three day trial. The defendant was of good character and was seen on police 'bodyworn video' striking a police constable to the throat. The issue for the jury was self defence.

• R v. R [Newcastle] 2019

  Theft trial, involving various psychiatric and intermediary reports

  Sam Willis was instructed in this 3 day theft trial involving various psychiatric and intermediary reports. Following an adverse verdict, a suspended sentence was secured through detailed mitigation using the medical evidence.

Notable Cases