Recent Cases

• R v Alexander Blackman [Court Martial Appeal Court] 2017

  Murder reduced to manslaughter following CCRC reference and second appeal

  Jeffrey Israel and Senghin Kong led by Jonathan Goldberg QC and instructed under the Bar Direct Access scheme, represented former Royal Marine Sergeant Alexander Blackman (also known as “Marine A”) who succeeded after a long campaign for justice in having his conviction for murder reduced to manslaughter by diminished responsibility. The campaign was led by the renowned author Frederick Forsyth and the Daily Mail, and supported by thousands of members of the public.

  The new legal team submitted a 100-page report to the CCRC in December 2015. A year later the CCRC referred the case back to the Court Martial Appeal Court who swiftly quashed the conviction for murder and imposed a sentence for manslaughter which would allow for the former sergeant’s almost immediate release. Outside Court after the sentencing hearing on 28 March 2017, the wife of Marine A, Mrs Claire Blackman said: 
  
  “We are overjoyed at the judges’ decision to significantly reduce Al’s sentence, such that he can be released imminently. This is the moment that we have all been fighting hard for. It is hard to believe that this day is finally here. There are so many people we must thank for getting us here. They include of course our brilliant legal team, Jonathan Goldberg QC, Jeffrey Israel and Senghin Kong, thank you all. They also include the fabulous Frederick Forsyth and the wonderful Richard Drax MP, both of whom have fought tirelessly in support of Al.” 

  Mrs Blackman later added:
  
  “Jeffrey consistently offered us calm, considered and professional advice. His patience knows no limits. His knowledge and observation skills meant that he was always open and honest - never promising anything he couldn't deliver. And he certainly delivered.”
  
  “What Senghin doesn't know about the law and its application isn't worth knowing. His knowledge and attention to detail is incredible and yet his approach was always to help us clearly understand and explore solutions. Everyone needs a Senghin on their team.”

  To read more about this case please use the links below:

  Daily Mail report on the sentencing (28 March 2017)

  Telegraph report on the sentencing (28 March 2017)

  The sentencing remarks (28 March 2017)

  Daily Mail report on the conviction being quashed (15 March 2017)

  Guardian report on the conviction being quashed (15 March 2017)

  The appeal judgment (15 March 2017)

  Joshua Rozenberg’s commentary in anticipation of the appeal hearing (5 February 2017)

  Daily Mail Campaign for Justice page

• 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. 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

   

• 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 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.

View All Cases

Notable Cases

• R v Alexander Blackman [Court Martial Appeal Court] 2017

  Murder reduced to manslaughter following CCRC reference and second appeal

  Jeffrey Israel and Senghin Kong led by Jonathan Goldberg QC and instructed under the Bar Direct Access scheme, represented former Royal Marine Sergeant Alexander Blackman (also known as “Marine A”) who succeeded after a long campaign for justice in having his conviction for murder reduced to manslaughter by diminished responsibility. The campaign was led by the renowned author Frederick Forsyth and the Daily Mail, and supported by thousands of members of the public.

  The new legal team submitted a 100-page report to the CCRC in December 2015. A year later the CCRC referred the case back to the Court Martial Appeal Court who swiftly quashed the conviction for murder and imposed a sentence for manslaughter which would allow for the former sergeant’s almost immediate release. Outside Court after the sentencing hearing on 28 March 2017, the wife of Marine A, Mrs Claire Blackman said: 
  
  “We are overjoyed at the judges’ decision to significantly reduce Al’s sentence, such that he can be released imminently. This is the moment that we have all been fighting hard for. It is hard to believe that this day is finally here. There are so many people we must thank for getting us here. They include of course our brilliant legal team, Jonathan Goldberg QC, Jeffrey Israel and Senghin Kong, thank you all. They also include the fabulous Frederick Forsyth and the wonderful Richard Drax MP, both of whom have fought tirelessly in support of Al.” 

  Mrs Blackman later added:
  
  “Jeffrey consistently offered us calm, considered and professional advice. His patience knows no limits. His knowledge and observation skills meant that he was always open and honest - never promising anything he couldn't deliver. And he certainly delivered.”
  
  “What Senghin doesn't know about the law and its application isn't worth knowing. His knowledge and attention to detail is incredible and yet his approach was always to help us clearly understand and explore solutions. Everyone needs a Senghin on their team.”

  To read more about this case please use the links below:

  Daily Mail report on the sentencing (28 March 2017)

  Telegraph report on the sentencing (28 March 2017)

  The sentencing remarks (28 March 2017)

  Daily Mail report on the conviction being quashed (15 March 2017)

  Guardian report on the conviction being quashed (15 March 2017)

  The appeal judgment (15 March 2017)

  Joshua Rozenberg’s commentary in anticipation of the appeal hearing (5 February 2017)

  Daily Mail Campaign for Justice page

• 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 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

• “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. 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.