General Crime
R v Boshein [2023] EWCA Crim 560
Representing a trainee police officer who pleaded guilty to possessing an extreme pornographic image. Sentence reduced from 10 months’ immediate custody, to an 8-week suspended sentence on appeal. The Court of Appeal gave guidance regarding the correct approach to sentencing in such cases.
R v IC (Leicester Crown Court)
Representing defendant charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon. Acquitted on both counts after a 4-week trial. Led by Matthew Butt KC.
R v G (2023) (Wellingborough Youth Court)
Acting for young defendant charged with rape and assault by penetration. The alleged offences occurred when the defendant was 14 years’ old. He was acquitted of those charges following a 2 day trial.
R v K (2022) (Leicester Crown Court)
Acting for young defendant charged with requiring others to engage in forced or compulsory labour and to supply Class A drugs on a county line between Leicestershire and London. Successful application to have the proceedings stayed as an abuse of process.
R v SOK and JP (2021) (Central Criminal Court sitting at Aldersgate House)
Acting for a defendant alleged to have imported Class A, B and C drugs into the United Kingdom from Los Angeles. Both defendants acquitted on all counts.
Read more about the case here.
R v SR (2021) (Aylesbury Crown Court)
Acting for one of a number of defendants facing trial at Aylesbury Crown Court for the alleged importation and supply drugs and money laundering. The prosecution relies to a large extent on Encrochat material. Led by Siza Agha.
R v FS (2021) (Aylesbury Crown Court)
Acting for a defendant charged with PWITS Class A at Aylesbury Crown Court. The case involved detailed cross-examination of a drugs expert.
R v DH (2019) (Basildon Crown Court)
Acting as a court appointed advocate assisting a defendant to oppose an application for a post-acquittal restraining order. His conviction for sexual assault had been overturned by the Court of Appeal. Following a hearing which involved detailed cross-examination of the complainant the Judge refused the Crown’s application.
Financial Crime / POCA
Fresh View Swift Properties Limited v Westminster Magistrates’ Court and Ors [2023] EWHC 605 (Admin)
The first High Court decision to consider the requirements for making an Account Forfeiture Order. Funds passing through an unregistered money service business became recoverable property, and it was not disproportionate to forfeit those funds in the hands of a customer of that business where they were on constructive notice that it was unregistered. Led by Kennedy Talbot KC.
(Read the judgment here)
R v JF (2022) (Derby Crown Court)
Successfully secured the discharge of an ‘all assets’ Restraint Order. The order was obtained in relation to a defendant suspected of laundering part of the proceeds of an investment fraud.
R v SG (2020-22) (Birmingham Crown Court)
Acting for the third defendant in a complex fraud and money laundering trial at Birmingham Crown Court. Led by Luke Ponte.
R v GS (2021) (Isleworth Crown Court)
Acting for a defendant who pleaded guilty to defrauding his employer out of more than £250,000. The court was persuaded to impose a suspended sentence.
R v AB (2020-21)
Acting for an Iranian national who had bank accounts containing approx. £1.1 million frozen by Leicestershire Police. Following detailed written representations the Account Freezing Order was set aside before the case reached the forfeiture stage. Led by Rachel Barnes.
R v SS (2020)
Acting for a British-Iranian national who was the subject of an application by HMRC for an Account Forfeiture Order. Following detailed written representations the application for forfeiture was dropped and HMRC agreed to pay most of the respondent’s legal costs. Led by Rachel Barnes.
Civil Preventative Orders
MPS v SYL (2021) (Westminster Magistrates’ Court)
Acting for the MPS in an application for a Stalking Protection Order in relation to a high-profile public figure. The defendant had engaged in acts associated with stalking in relation to a journalist at a national newspaper, along with her partner. The order was granted for a period of 5 years.
Read further following links here and here.
MPS v YZ, QX, GM, YZ and WN (2020-2021) (Westminster Magistrates’ Court)
Acting for the MPS in its first applications for Slavery and Trafficking Risk Orders. The applications related to five defendants involved in the trafficking of primarily Chinese women for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Orders were granted in relation to three defendants, with adverse findings made in relation to a fourth. All defendants have now been charged with a raft of criminal offences.
Read further here.
Licensing / Regulatory
New Evaristo Club (‘Trisha’s) (2022)
Acting for one of the oldest jazz bars in Soho during a review of its Premises Licence by the Licensing Authority, supported by the Metropolitan Police Service. Westminster City Council declined to revoke the licence, instead suspending it for 14 days and adding a number of further conditions.
Read more about the case here and here.
Circa Loca (2022)
Acting for a nightclub which had its licence revoked following multiple stabbings at the premises. An appeal against the suspension of the licence as an interim step was successful and the local authority conceded the remainder of the appeal, agreeing to permit the premises to re-open with additional conditions attached to the licence.
117 Trading Limited (2021)
Acting for a company in a successful application for a premises licence. The application was granted in the face of a large number of objections from local residents.
Read further here.
Club 29 (2020)
Acting for the MPS in a successful application to revoke a Premises Licence. The application, robustly opposed, followed a violent brawl outside of the premises which resulted in four people being stabbed.
Public Law, Inquests and Inquiries
Hill v Independent Office for Police Conduct [2022] UKIP Trib 6
Acting for the Claimant in a claim before the Investigatory Powers Tribunal. The Tribunal found the IOPC to have acted unlawfully in obtaining his communications data. It also delivered a landmark ruling on what amounts to an ‘interception’. Led by Nicholas Yeo.
(Read the judgment here)
Cecil Steven Heilligger v Wesminster Magistrates’ Court and Anor [2022] EWHC 1056 (Admin)
Acting for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis in judicial review proceedings in respect of an unlawful search warrant. Led by Nicholas Yeo.
(Read the judgment here)
Grenfell Tower Inquiry (Phase 2) (2020)
Instructed by the London Fire Brigade to assist with disclosure and the preparation of Rule 9 statements for the Inquiry.