All Recent Cases

• 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. 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 

• 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.

  News Report here.

• 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. 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 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 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 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.

• 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. 

• 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 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.

• 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Adeniji [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. 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. 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. 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 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.

• 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 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. 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. 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. 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 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 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 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. 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 robbry 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.

• 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 & anor [Snaresbrook] 2017

  Section 18 Wounding

  Aska Fujita defended a youth jointly charged with an adult for s18 wounding by stabbing another youth in the stomach. The ten-day trial included applications to exclude identification evidence and to include the bad character of the co-defendant due to the cut-throat defence. Instructed by Sternberg Reed Solicitors.

• 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.

• 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 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 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 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. 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.

• 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 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. 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 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.

• R v. MC [Inner London] 2016

  GBH Sc18

  Charlotte Hole defended this allegation of s.18 GBH using a knife and metal pole.  Extensive issues of non-defendant bad character, and cross-examination of medical experts.

• 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. 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. 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. Akhtar [Southwark & C.O.A.] 2016

  Appeal against a decision to stay proceedings

  Charlotte Hole 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. Akhtar [2016] EWCA Crim 390

• 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. 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. S [Canterbury] 2016

  GBH

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

• 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. 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.

   

• 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”.

• 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. 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. 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. F 2015

  Theft From Employer

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

• 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. 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. 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. 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. DR [Woolwich] 2015

  Firearms

  Charlotte Hole represented this defendant charged with possession of a disguised firearm (a taser with the appearance of a mobile phone) and faced a minimum 5 year sentence.  Successfully argued ‘exceptional circumstances’, allowing a suspended sentence to be imposed, following written submissions described as “a model of how to assist the Judge in a case such as this”.

• R v. MM [Peterborough] 2015

  Indecent Exposure

  Charlotte Hole represented this defendant who was acquitted of exposure following cross-examination of children aged 8, 11 and 14, one of whom had Tourette’s syndrome, and acquitted in a linked trial of one count of possession of extreme pornography.

• 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. 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 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. Langridge [Maidstone] 2014

  Benefit Fraud

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

• 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. JG [Southwark] 2013

  Misconduct in Public Office

  Charlotte Hole was led by Ian Glen QC in this trial alleging misconduct in Public Office, a former police officer, acquitted after a trial. Instructed by Berry & Lamberts.

• 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. 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. 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.

• 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.

• 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.