Crime
R v Gallagher, Starkey, and Ors
(2022)
Alisdair acted for Sonny Starkey, grandson of Ringo Starr, in this very high-profile prosecution in which he persuaded the CPS to offer no evidence and for his client to be bound-over in respect of allegations of affray and assault.
R v David Carrick
(2022)
Alisdair (leading Patrick Hill) is representing Mr Carrick, a serving police officer charged with 44 counts of sexual offences against 12 complainants.
R v S
(2021)
Alisdair (leading Edmund Gritt) secured complete acquittals for a police driver accused of causing death by dangerous driving arising out of the pursuit of a moped which had been engaged in crime.
R v D
(2021)
Alisdair secured the acquittal of a student accused of the rape of another student during Fresher’s Week.
R v Walker
(2021)
Alisdair represented Sarah Walker in the missing body murder trial arising from the disappearance of Sarah’s 17 year old daughter, Bernadette.
R v Wells
(2021)
Alisdair represented Mr Wells, the former doctor, in his trial for the drugging and raping of children.
R v Chilman
(2021)
Alisdair represented Mr Chilman in the murder trial arising from the discovery of the burned body of his former partner’s new lover.
R v Z
(2021)
Alisdair secured Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity verdicts in this difficult, complex, and highly emotive murder trial. Z killed his brother-in-law and tried to kill his sister and nephew. The trial centred on the disputed psychiatric evidence and Alisdair’s cross-examination of the Crown’s expert.
R v Hughes, Harrison and others
(2020)
Alisdair acted for one of the drivers in the very high-profile manslaughter trial arising from the deaths of 39 migrants in a lorry container being imported to the UK.
R v AD
2020
Alisdair’s client, a teacher in a secure psychiatric unit, was acquitted of all counts of sexually abusing a child patient.
R v W
2019
Successful defence of man found with £500,000 in cash hidden in his flat. Charged with money-laundering, he explained that he was a semi-professional gambler and the money was his winnings from poker and horse racing.
R v P
2018
After successfully appealing the defendant’s conviction arising from the judge’s wrongful refusal to allow time for an expert to complete their report, Alisdair secured complete acquittals for a police officer accused of historical sexual abuse of his partner’s daughter. Complicated issues of memory contamination from Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR).
R v T
2018
Successful defence of police officer accused of historical serious sexual offences against step-daughter.
R v F
2018
Successful defence of man accused of historical sexual offences against his partner’s three children.
R v C
2018
Legally and factually complex defence of loss of control for man accused of murdering his wife over her sexual humiliation of him.
R v H
2018
Successful defence of a woman accused of serious, historical sexual assaults on her son. A highly unusual, difficult and emotionally charged case in which Alisdair secured his client’s acquittal.
R v W-C
2018
Successful defence of businessman accused of buggery and other serious historical sexual offences against his cousin during the late 80s.
R v B
2018
Successful defence of headmaster and former scout master accused of a series of historical, serious sexual offences.
R v U
2017
Successful defence of young defendant accused of a leading role in fatal stabbing. Found not guilty of murder, manslaughter and conspiracy to commit GBH.
R v M
2017
Successful defence of man accused of raping his sister 35 years ago. The case raised complicated issues of doli incapax and also the presumption of incapacity of rape by reason of age. He was acquitted of rape and of ABH but convicted of an indecent assault for which he was fined.
R v L
2017
L was acquitted of attempted murder. He had stabbed through the heart the leader of a gang who had harassed L and damaged his property. Convicted of GBH.
R v L, V & S
2016
Successful defence of man accused of double gang-rape in the mid-eighties
R v O
2016
Secured the acquittal of a man accused of raping his brother’s wife over an extended period, and historical sexual assault of his niece
R v C
2016
Successful defence of a man accused of raping an unconscious woman. Complex pharmacological and mental health issues
R v A
2015
Successful defence of a man accused of historical childhood incestuous sex offences by his sister. (Direct Access)
R v J
2015
Man accused of historical sexual assaults by a male friend of the family. Acquitted.
R v J
2015
Successful defence of man accused by former wife of a historical campaign of rape and assault.
R v E
2015
Secured the acquittal of a police officer accused of serious abusive behaviour, sexual and physical, on previous partners
R v M
2015
Secured the acquittal of a PC who had previously served with distinction as a Firefighter and who had been accused of the physical and indecent assault of recruits to the Fire Service.
R v C
2015
Police Officer accused by colleague of serious sexual assaults. Acquitted.
R v GC
2014
Successful defence of serving DS against allegations of child rape going back to the 1970s.
R v WH
2014
Secured acquittal of man accused of gang rape during the 1970s.
R v GJ
2014
Defended an allegation of child sex abuse dating back 30 years. The defendant was acquitted.
R v C
2013
Secured the acquittal of a police firearms officer accused of attempting to anally rape and digitally penetrating, his partner.
R v Michael Turner (Michael Le Vell)
2013
The successful defence of actor Michael Le Vell in his prosecution for child rape and other serious sexual offences.
R v D & Y
2013
Successful defence of a 14 year old boy accused of, when 13, raping his co-defendant’s 15 year old girlfriend.
R v Ezekiel & Another
2013
Counsel for the Crown in the successful prosecution of the former leader of Thanet Council for Misconduct in Public Office.
R v G
2012
Secured the acquittal of defendant accused by well-known author of rape and GBH during their marriage
R v Studholme
2012
Leading junior counsel for the only defendant acquitted of conspiracy to supply London’s largest ever seizure of cocaine.
Fraud
R v H (Southwark Crown Court)
Leading counsel international conspiracy to defraud and money-laundering.
Re W-C (Chancery Division)
Proceedings in respect of an accountancy services firm.
R v S (Ipswich Crown Court)
Leading counsel multi-million pound international conspiracy to defraud.
R v B (Leeds Crown Court)
Leading counsel multi-million pound international VAT missing trader fraud.
R v C (Chichester Crown Court)
Regional Development Office fraud.
R v W (Isleworth Crown Court)
Money laundering web.
R v JF (Croydon Crown Court)
Leading counsel million pound fraud on the Home Office.
R v A (Southwark Crown Court)
Large scale bribery for the award of local government contracts.
R v H (Lewes Crown Court)
Million pound income tax fraud and ancilliary JR proceedings.
R v B (Southwark Crown Court)
A complex and large-scale multi-million fraud on the mobile phone networks.
R v W (Inner London Crown Court)
Industrial scale money-laundering through domestic casino networks, and property transactions in Spain.
R v S (Kingston Crown Court)
Leading counsel multi-handed money laundering.
R v AJ (Croydon Crown Court)
Leading counsel multi-million pound fraud against DEFRA.
R v E (Maidstone Crown Court)
Prosecution of the former Mayor of Thanet for corruption and Misconduct in Public Office.
R v Hamper
2012
Leading junior counsel in the successful defence of a woman accused of conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to launder the proceeds of cocaine supply.
R v John & Others
2012
Leading junior for 3rd defendant in largest DEFRA prosecution for fraud relating to animal medicines.
Inquests
The Daniel Morgan Inquiry
(2021)
Alisdair acted for three officers named in the report in this very high-profile Inquiry.
Inquest into the Death of AG
(2022)
Alisdair acted for two police officers central to the investigation of the murder of AG.
Inquest into the death of RC
2021
Mr C had armed himself with a lethal air weapon that had the appearance of a sawn-off shotgun and walked to a local petrol station where he acted aggressively. On being challenged by armed police, he levelled the weapon at them, tragically giving the officers no option in the circumstances but to discharge their weapons. The jury found that he had been lawfully killed, Alisdair acted for the officers concerned.
Inquest into death of ST
2016
Represented three Custody Sergeants in widely reported death in custody case
Inquest into death of DB
2015
Represented a police officer whose vehicle crushed a member of the public after being left unattended. Complex issues of latent defect in the braking system, an unlawful killing conclusion was avoided following representations on behalf of the officer.
Professional discipline
SRA v Beckwith
(2020)
Alisdair acted for the successful appellant in the leading case on the meaning of ‘integrity’ in professional discipline. A case which is widely seen as a rebuke of the SRA by the High Court both in respect of the nature of the allegations brought and the costs accrued.
SRA v Y
(2022)
Alisdair made successful representations against referral to the SDT for a solicitor who faced allegations of breaches of the Principles in respect of management and oversight, client matters, and breaches of the Accounts Rules.
SRA v X
(2021)
Alisdair acted for a high-profile solicitor who faced allegations of sexual impropriety. Alisdair made successful representations against referral to the SDT and the matter was resolved without reference to any sexual misconduct.
SRA v Z
(2021)
On appeal to the SDT from an order by the Adjudicator, Alisdair was successful in overturning findings of breaches of Principle 6 (undermining public trust)
In the matter of Sean Rigg
2019
Successful representation of officer cleared of any wrong doing arising from the death of Sean Rigg in 2008. Police discipline hearing held 10.5 years after the tragic events.
R v P
2018
After successfully appealing the defendant’s conviction arising from the judge’s wrongful refusal to allow time for an expert to complete their report, Alisdair secured complete acquittals for a police officer accused of historical sexual abuse of his partner’s daughter. Complicated issues of memory contamination from Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR).
R v T
2018
Successful defence of police officer accused of historical serious sexual offences against step-daughter.
R (Chief Constable of the Derbyshire Constabulary) v The Police Appeals Tribunal
(Green & Stewart – Interested Parties) [2012] EWHC 2280
Re H
2016
Successful representation of Police Custody Sergeant at discipline proceedings for failure to secure medical attention for a detainee with two broken legs.
R v E
2015
Secured the acquittal of a police officer accused of serious abusive behaviour, sexual and physical, on previous partners.
R v M
2015
Secured the acquittal of a PC who had previously served with distinction as a Firefighter and who had been accused of the physical and indecent assault of recruits to the Fire Service.
R v C
2015
Police Officer accused by colleague of serious sexual assaults. Acquitted.
R v GC
2014
Successful defence of serving DS against allegations of child rape going back to the 1970s.
R v C
2013
Secured the acquittal of a police firearms officer accused of attempting to anally rape and digitally penetrating, his partner.