25th APRIL 2024: PROSECUTING COUNSEL
James Dawes KC and James Caldwell act as Prosecuting Counsel in an ongoing trial at Exeter Crown Court, instructed by Helen Phillips of South West CPS. The trial is expected to last 6 weeks.
Media: BBC News
10th APRIL 2024: CONVICTIONS SECURED
Amy Oliver acted as second junior prosecuting counsel in a case involving what has been described as “Britain’s biggest benefit fraud”. Amy assisted in the preparation and bringing of the case against the five defendants who all, ultimately, pleaded guilty today to fraud and money laundering offences. They are due to be sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court in May.
Amy was instructed by Ben Reid of the CPS Serious Economic, Organised & International Directorate who stated “For a number of years, these defendants conspired to commit industrial-scale fraud against the Universal Credit system, costing the taxpayer more than £50 million”.
Media: BBC, ITV, Sky, Crown Prosecution Service Press Release
2nd APRIL 2024: DRUNK DRIVER CONVICTED OF KILLING TWO
Sally Mertens secures the conviction of a woman for causing the deaths of two of her passengers and serious injury to another, by dangerous driving.
The defendant was driving her convertible Mini Cooper in the early hours of 16th July 2022 when she overtook another car at considerable speed and crashed, causing the two rear-seat passengers, who were not wearing seatbelts and were ‘twerking’ at the time, to be flung from the car and killed. Her boyfriend, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, was also seriously injured. All of them had been drinking and the defendant was over the limit for alcohol.
Following a trial at the Old Bailey, a jury convicted the defendant unanimously on all counts and she will be sentenced on Friday.
Sally was instructed by the London Homicide Unit of the Crown Prosecution Service.
Media: The Sunday Times
1st APRIL 2024: APPOINTMENT TO THE INSOLVENCY SERVICE
Dominic Hockley appointed as Standing Counsel to The Insolvency Service Legal Services Directorate (Criminal Team).
Following a recent competitive recruitment exercise, Dominic and three others have been appointed as Standing Counsel to the Insolvency Service for a period of three years.
18th MARCH 2024: SILKS’ DAY
Our warmest congratulations to Kate Blumgart KC upon her appointment as King’s Counsel. We are very proud of her achievement and wish her continued success for the future.
1st MARCH 2024: BURGLAR SENTENCED
Prosecuted by Jenny Burgess, the defendant was sentenced to 11 and a half years’ imprisonment for a spate of burglaries culminating in the tying up and violent assault on a third and final victim.
The defendant stole property from the homes of three young men each of whom he had befriended whilst on a night out and accompanied home. He had sexual intercourse with the first two victims following which he stole high-value clothing and electrical goods. The third victim was tied up, gagged and beaten by the defendant and a second man before his address was also burgled.
Jenny was instructed by Francis Gomer of the Crown Prosecution Service.
23rd FEBRUARY 2024: SUCCESSFUL APPEAL AGAINST CONVICTION
Paul Cavin KC, leading Patrick Hill (3 Raymond Buildings), successfully represented Bob Stewart MP in his appeal against conviction to Southwark Crown Court. Following a retrial, the Court quashed his Magistrates’ Court conviction of last year for an alleged racially aggravated public order offence.
Paul was instructed by Ellen Peart and Rishi Joshi of BCL Solicitors LLP.
22nd FEBRUARY 2024: DENTIST RECEIVES HOSPITAL ORDER
Sally Mertens successfully prosecutes a dentist for offences relating to his sustained campaign of harassment against two individuals and other staff linked to the General Dental Council (“GDC”) and which included him threatening to kill his local MP, Barry Gardiner.
On the 15th of September 2023, Amit Kerai, pleaded guilty to four offences: (1) putting Keith Percival in fear of violence by harassment, (2) putting Emily Vidovic in fear of violence by harassment, (3) making a threat to kill Barry Gardiner MP, and (4) sending an electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety to call centre staff at the General Dental Council.
Following his suspension from practice by the GDC in 2018, Mr Kerai began a four-year campaign of harassment against fellow dentist Keith Percival, who had sat on the local dental committee, and his daughter who worked as an administrator for the same organisation. Mr Kerai sought help from his local MP, Barry Gardiner, visiting him at his constituency surgery in February 2022. He later threatened to kill him.
Today at the Old Bailey, the Recorder of London sentenced him to a Hospital Order. He was also made subject to a Restraining Order for an indefinite period.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-68367110
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/barry-gardiner-amit-kerai-dentist-b2500883.html
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1869659/dentist-threatened-to-kill-labour-mp-barry-gardiner
19th FEBRUARY 2024: ACQUITTAL SECURED
Today at the Old Bailey, Fer Chinner secured the acquittal of her client who was on trial for two conspiracies to murder. Fer was instructed as Junior Counsel.
At the conclusion of the prosecution case it was successfully argued by the Defence that the prosecution evidence had not stood up to cross-examination and was inherently flawed. The Judge ruled there was no case to answer on all charges and directed the jury to return verdicts of Not Guilty.
The client had been arrested by the Police in 2021, accused of being the gunman in a drive- by shooting. The prosecution case was that two men were targeted by the defendants who carefully planned to murder the two men. Shots were fired at the two men from a stolen Mitsubishi bearing false plates. The client denied being in the vehicle at the time of the shooting despite being picked up on CCTV running from the spot where the vehicle had been burnt out.
The Defence successfully argued that the prosecution evidence could not prove presence at the scene of the shooting, and that what evidence there was of participation was insufficient to prove an intention to kill.
Counsel were instructed by Guven Atesh of Atesh Solicitors.
14th FEBRUARY 2024: CONVICTIONS SECURED IN OPERATION DAPHNIS
Sally Mertens, leading Amy Oliver/Joe Weeks, successfully prosecuted a seven-handed conspiracy to steal and associated conspiracy to conceal, disguise, convert, transfer and/or remove criminal property, involving cars worth in excess of a million pounds.
Following a five-week trial, and six hours of deliberation, the jury returned unanimous verdicts of guilty in relation to three defendants. Four defendants had entered pleas of guilty in March 2022. Sentencing has been adjourned to a later date.
Counsel were instructed by the CPS Complex Casework Unit (East Midlands).
13th FEBRUARY 2023: COVENTRY GANGSTER CONVICTED OF STRANGLING WOMAN AND HIDING HER BODY UNDER A BED
Paul Cavin KC and William Goss today secured the conviction of Shannon Grant for the murder of Natasha Morais, following a four-week trial at Leicester Crown Court. Natasha Morais died on 22nd June 2023 having been strangled using cable ties. Burn injuries to her body also revealed a level of torture using heated metal tools. Her body was found hidden in the base of an Ottoman-style bed. The defendant will be sentenced on 21st March 2024.
Paul and William were instructed for the prosecution by the CPS Complex Casework Unit (East Midlands).
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-68285595
https://metro.co.uk/2024/02/13/killer-caught-camera-buying-cable-ties-hours-killing-woman-20273613/
25th JANUARY 2024: SENTENCE OF IMPRISONMENT FOR MAN WHO DIRECTED SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN
Prosecuted by Toby FitzGerald, today a defendant received a total sentence of 13 years and six months’ imprisonment for multiple international sexual offences committed in relation to young complainants located in the United States. The defendant made live internet contact with children in the United States, one of whom was under 13 years old, and caused or incited them to perform sexual acts. He was also sentenced for possessing multiple indecent images of children and for an offence of possessing extreme pornography.
23rd JANUARY 2024: KATE BLUMGART TO BE APPOINTED KING’S COUNSEL
It is with great delight that 2HB announces the King’s approval of the Lord Chancellor’s recommendation that Kate Blumgart be appointed one of His Majesty’s Counsel.
Kate will be sworn in at Westminster Hall on the 18th March 2024, presided by The Lord Chancellor where he will formally bestow the title of King's Counsel.
We congratulate Kate and wish her the very best in Silk!
19th JANUARY 2024: ACQUITTAL SECURED
Following a 10-day trial, Jenny Burgess secured the acquittal of a defendant accused of possessing a firearm. The defendant - who was only 17 years old at the time - was arrested after armed police stopped the Uber in which he was travelling in North London.
His adult co-defendant was convicted of arranging for an unidentified third party to pass the firearm into the taxi. He awaits sentence.
Jenny's client admitted carrying a knife at the time of the police-stop and was given a 12-month conditional discharge for this offence.
Jenny was instructed by Mohsin Arif and William Giller of Lloyds PR.
12th JANUARY 2024: MOTHER AND HER BOYFRIEND SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDER OF 18 MONTH-OLD
Jack Benham and Sian Hedges, who were convicted in November 2023 of murdering Sian Hedges’ son Alfie Phillips, following a frenzied and sustained attack on him in November 2020, were sentenced today at Maidstone Crown Court. Mr Justice Cavanagh, referring to the assault on the 18 month-old as ‘vicious and brutal’ imposed life sentences on both defendants, with minimum terms of 23 years and 19 year respectively.
Jennifer Knight KC and William Goss were instructed for the prosecution by the CPS South East Complex Casework Unit.
4th JANUARY 2024: CUSTODIAL SENTENCES FOR CARE HOME RESIDENTS’ ABUSERS
Kate Blumgart and James Caldwell secure convictions of three defendants accused of ill-treating residents at a care home in Sutton. The defendants were convicted by a jury following a 4-week trial at Croydon Crown Court last year and sentenced today to a total of 5½ years’ imprisonment.
The defendants were employed as support workers at Grove House care home in Sutton which provided residential care for those with learning disabilities, mental illness and complex needs.
Two male residents suffered abuse at the hands of the defendants which included being sprayed with water, verbally insulted and humiliated, locked in a room, dragged by their hands and legs and roughly man-handled, denied food and having their clothing and possessions deliberately damaged.
These crimes have been described as “…as shocking example of a disability hate crime, involving abuse of very vulnerable people with complex needs”.
Kate and James were instructed by the Crown Prosecution Service (London South).
https://www.cps.gov.uk/london-south/news/three-men-jailed-abusing-residents-sutton-care-home
21st DECEMBER 2023: ATTEMPTED MURDER CONVICTION SECURED
Kate Blumgart and Charles Drinnan secure convictions for Attempted Murder, Wounding with Intent, Attempted Wounding with Intent, ABH and Possession of Knifes after a 14-day trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
The Defendant attacked members of the public with Stanley knife blades. The victim of the Attempted Murder had his throat slit nearby to the Tower of London in what was a savage, unprovoked and random attack. The other attacks were similarly random and violent, with the Defendant slashing members of the public with Stanley knife blades on buses and in a pub. The case involved novel points of law and required careful presentation as the incidents were split across five dates over a two-year period in locations around the country.
The Defendant will be sentenced in Spring 2024.
Kate Blumgart and Charles Drinnan were instructed for the prosecution by the CPS Crown Court North-East Unit.
20th DECEMBER 2023: DEATH BY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONVICTION AND SENTENCE
Jenny Burgess secures conviction of Defendant for Causing Death by Dangerous Driving. The defendant was convicted by a jury following a 9-day trial at Southwark Crown Court and sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment.
The victim was a family man in his 50s who was crossing the road outside Earls Court tube station in the early hours of 1st January 2021 when he was hit by a Zipcar driven by the defendant and which was travelling at almost twice the speed limit. The Zipcar had been dishonestly hired by the defendant using his co-defendant’s account and there was evidence that the defendant had been drinking before the collision.
The defendant failed to stop or seek assistance at the scene. He subsequently called his co-defendant admitting that he had “done a hit and run”.
The co-defendant had been previously sentenced to 1 year’ imprisonment after admitting perverting the course of justice after he had lied to the police and to Zipcar about the vehicle being stolen.
Jenny Burgess was instructed by Miranda Jollie of CPS Homicide.
https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/muhammed-gure-hit-run-dad-28323283
20th DECEMBER 2023: COMPANY FINED £100,000 FOR BREACH OF HEALTH & SAFETY REGULATIONS
Charles Drinnan successfully represented the Health and Safety Executive in a Prosecution against a marine contractor for breaching working at height regulations. The company, who had contracts to repair Royal Navy warships and vessels, acted in a way that could have resulted in serious injury or death of two workers who removed equipment on a vessel’s deck in breach of Regulation 4(1) of the Work At Height Regulations 2005.
The company, which had a turnover of £18.5 million in 2022, was fined £100,000 plus costs.
Charles Drinnan was instructed by Nathan Cook of the Health and Safety Executive
13th DECEMBER 2023: TEACHER BANNED FOR LIFE FROM TEACHING FOR SEXUALLY MOTIVATED RELATIONSHIP WITH A CHILD AND DISHONESTY
Charles Drinnan, instructed by Kingsley Napley LLP, successfully represented the Teaching Regulation Agency in a case before a Professional Conduct Panel.
The case concerned allegations of unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the professional into disrepute. The teacher developed an inappropriate relationship with a child, sending inappropriate messages, including a topless photograph and heart emojis, gifts and money. The teacher then deleted evidence of the relationship, which the Panel found to be dishonest.
The teacher had denied his conduct was sexually motivated or dishonest, but the Panel found that the teacher’s actions were sexually motivated and that he had behaved dishonestly throughout the investigation.
The teacher was prohibited from teaching indefinitely. In view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved, the teacher is not entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.
30th NOVEMBER 2023: MOTHER AND HER BOYFRIEND CONVICTED OF MURDER OF 18-MONTH-OLD BOY
Jack Benham and Sian Hedges were both convicted today of the murder of her son, following a 9-week trial at Maidstone Crown Court. Alfie Phillips died on 28th November 2020 following a sustained assault during which he suffered serious injuries including fractures to both his arms, one leg and multiple ribs. He also had multiple bruises to his face, head and body. Injuries to his mouth revealed an attempt to smother him. The defendants will be sentenced on 19th December 2023.
Jennifer Knight KC and William Goss were instructed for the prosecution by the CPS South East Complex Casework Unit.
6th NOVEMBER 2023: SENTENCE UPHELD IN £20 MILLION DARK WEB CONSPIRACY
The Court of Appeal today published judgment in the case of Christopher Kirkby v Rex [2023] EWCA Crim 1293 in which John Ojakovoh successfully responded to an appeal against sentence by one of five defendants involved in a conspiracy to supply counterfeit Xanax tablets (active ingredient Alprazolam, a controlled drug of class C), with a street value of more than £20 million. All five had previously been sentenced after a four-day Newton hearing, prosecuted by John Ojakovoh and Dominic Hockley, to determine the factual basis for sentencing after the five defendants had pleaded guilty. The Appellant’s grounds of appeal asserted that his sentence was manifestly excessive because of disparity with co-defendants’ sentences, and failure to account for totality, but the Court agreed with John Ojakovoh that totality principles had been correctly applied, and that differences in the roles, level of culpability, and aggravating and mitigating features, fully justified the Appellant’s sentence of 9 years 6 months.
John Ojakovoh was instructed by CPS Serious Economic Organised Crime and International Directorate, and Tammy Mears of the CPS.
3rd NOVEMBER 2023: PROLIFIC CONVICTED PAEDOPHILE RECEIVES ANOTHER SENTENCE OF IMPRISONMENT
Having pleaded guilty in August to multiple counts relating to sexual abuse of boys aged 6-11 living in Vietnam, spanning a ten-year period (see 2HB News dated 8th August 2023), the defendant, Behn, today received an extended sentence of 17 years’ imprisonment. Mark Gadsden appeared at the Sentencing Hearing on behalf of the Crown.
A co-defendant, Thorogood, will be sentenced for his involvement later this month.
The NCA investigation of the organised paedophile network continues in a number of countries across Europe and includes suspects based in the UK.
Mark (and Tom Nicholson & Edward Franklin who appeared for the Crown at the plea hearing) was instructed by the CPS Serious Economic, Organised Crime and International Directorate (SEOCID).
3rd NOVEMBER 2023: ORGANISED CRIME GROUP SENTENCED
Five members of an organised crime group were sentenced last week at Isleworth Crown Court to a total of more than 80 years’ imprisonment for their part in a drugs conspiracy prosecuted by John Ojakovoh and Edward Franklin. The case involved the importation of more than 300 kilos of cocaine and heroin, with a street value of more than £50 million. The lorry driver who on five occasions brought most of the drugs into the UK via Harwich port received 16 years, having previously been convicted at trial. Four other members of the OCG, including its head, who had all previously pleaded guilty, received sentences ranging from 21 years to 10 years 1 month. The Court set a timetable for confiscation proceedings.
John Ojakovoh and Edward Franklin prosecuted the case for the CPS Serious Economic Organised Crime and International Directorate. The case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command.
20th OCTOBER 2023: TWO HARCOURT BUILDINGS AND ITS MEMBERS RANKED IN 2024 CHAMBERS AND PARTNERS
We are delighted to announce that 2 Harcourt Buildings and 8 members individually have been ranked in the Crime and Financial Crime categories within the 2024 edition of Chambers and Partners UK.
Crime – 2 Harcourt Buildings - Band 4 London (Bar)
‘2 Harcourt Buildings is a recognised set for general crime with members of chambers prosecuting and defending the full range of criminal cases. Barristers at the set frequently take instruction in serious proceedings, many of them involving homicide, terrorism, sexual offences, drugs and child abuse. Recent examples of work include R. v. Howe & others, a complex case concerning the kidnap, imprisonment and rape of a young woman.
Client Service:
"The clerks go above and beyond to assist at all hours of the day in any way they can.”’
Individually Ranked Barristers London (Bar):
CRIME
James Dawes KC “James was a master of the material; he was very detailed and forensic in his presentation of the psychiatric matters involved and also in full command of the facts of the case generally."
"James is an affable, likable advocate, who's on top of the papers. He's a good speech maker and a good cross-examiner." [Band 5]
Paul Cavin KC "His command of the facts and the law was matched only by his command of the broader situation. He radiated an aura of calmness and competence that immediately put me and my team at immediate ease."
"If you've got something hidden under a stone, expect to be asked about it because he will find it." [Band 5]
Jennifer Knight KC "She's very thoroughly prepared, she knows her brief and she has an effective style." [Band 5]
Catherine Donnelly "Effective, determined, highly capable and good company to boot." [Band 4]
Dominic Hockley "Gritty, determined and clever, Dominic cross-examines very well." [Band 4]
Christopher Stimpson "Very good at sexual offences cases, he prepares his brief from both sides and is someone whose judgement you can trust." [Band 5]
FINANCIAL CRIME
Jane Osborne KC “Jane is an excellent KC.”
"She is good with the client and a great person to work with." [Band 4]
Individually Ranked Barristers North Eastern (Bar):
CRIME
Julian Jones "Julian Jones is thorough, clever and strategic in court and a powerful advocate." [Band 3]
We would like to thank those who took the time to act as referees for this process.
6th OCTOBER 2023: NEW MEMBERS OF CHAMBERS
2 Harcourt Buildings is delighted to announce that following the successful completion of pupillage, both Simran Ghotra and Joe Weeks have accepted our offers of tenancy in chambers. We are thrilled for them and have no doubt they will quickly build on their already successful practices.
4th OCTOBER 2023: CASE OPENED FOR THE PROSECUTION
Jennifer Knight KC, leading William Goss, has today opened the case for the prosecution at Maidstone Crown Court: a mother and her boyfriend are accused of murdering her 18-month-old son, Alfie Phillips, in a caravan in Kent during lockdown in 2020. Alfie died with a “myriad of bruises” and traces of cocaine in his body. The trial continues.
4th OCTOBER 2023: TWO HARCOURT BUILDINGS AND ITS MEMBERS RANKED IN 2023 LEGAL 500
We are delighted to announce that 2 Harcourt Buildings and 10 of its members (across 2 practice categories) have been ranked within the 2023 Legal 500 publication.
LONDON BAR – CRIME – TIER 4
2 Harcourt Buildings, with ‘a broad range of quality advocates‘, is gaining a reputation for being ‘a prominent defence practice‘ as well as an established prosecution set.
‘Keith Poynter is really good and very straightforward to deal with. Gary Wright is a really nice guy and a very helpful clerk. They’re both really safe pairs of hands.’
‘Keith Poynter is a top clerk and a natural leader. He is extremely responsive, always available and great at sorting diary issues. He is widely respected by solicitors, counsel and other clerks. He is ably assisted by Gary Wright who complements his proactive approach.’
‘2 Harcourt Chambers has now developed into a set with a prominent defence practice. Historically, they have had a reputation as being a prosecution set but are now conducting complex and high-profile defence work.’
‘A premier league set in every respect.’
‘2 Harcourt Buildings is an outstanding chambers. It has a national reputation for conducting the most serious prosecutions, and is a ‘go-to’ set for two counsel cases. At the junior end it is arguably the most experienced and able set of criminal juniors at the Bar.’
‘A fine chambers with a broad range of quality advocates. A top set.’
‘A set whose clerks are always happy to assist where they can. Both senior and junior members are popular and sought-after.’
INDIVIDUALS
CRIME
James Dawes KC - (Tier 4)
Jennifer Knight KC (Tier 4)
Jane Osborne KC ‘Jane has an excellent legal brain. Her written and oral submissions are of a very high standard. She has a comprehensive knowledge of her brief. Her cross-examination is suitably concise and effective. Her final speeches are very jury friendly and effective.' Jane balances defence and prosecution work, primarily prosecuting homicides, including those involving young people alleged to have connections to gangs. (Tier 4)
Catherine Donnelly Catherine is well-known for handling high-profile homicide and serious sexual offences cases. (Tier 2)
Tom Nicholson 'Tom is a good lawyer. He is hard-working and a pleasure to work with.' (Tier 2)
Sam Barker ‘Sam is an excellent lawyer and a naturally gifted advocate.’ (Tier 4)
Edward Franklin ‘Edward is an intellectual heavyweight. It is apparent from his excellent drafting that he has easy command of complex legal principles. His advocacy is measured and all the more forceful for that. He has mastered the art of emphasis by understatement, and can convey to better effect with a few short words that which many struggle to achieve when addressing courts at great length.’ (Tier 4)
Jenny Burgess ‘Jenny is a class act. She is meticulously prepared and knows her cases inside out. She is a confident, engaging advocate who gets straight to the point with legal arguments. She is reasonable in the points she takes and is very persuasive. Her closing speeches are also great.’ (Tier 4)
FRAUD CRIME
Jane Osborne KC ‘Jane assimilates case papers rapidly and has a clear grasp of the details. She gives important strategic advice from the outset of her instructions and is very pragmatic and forthright with clients when necessary.’ (Tier 4)
Dominic Hockley ‘Dominic is bright, diligent, knowledgeable and has very good judgement. He has excellent interpersonal skills which allows him to gain the trust of instructing solicitors, clients, opponents and judges alike. He has extensive experience in dealing with heavy fraud cases and is able to deal with factually complex matters with ease.’ (Tier 3)
John Ojakovoh ‘John is highly intelligent, has a good eye for detail and is very thoroughly prepared. He is liked by judges and extremely effective in cross-examination.’ (Tier 4)
3rd OCTOBER 2023: ACQUITTAL SECURED
Following a trial at Southwark Crown Court, Catherine Donnelly, as a Leading Junior, secured the acquittal of her client on allegations of fraud. The charges centred on a multi-million pound fraud said to have been committed against Barclays Bank over a two year period.
She was instructed by Mohsin Ariff at Lloyds PR Solicitors.
3rd OCTOBER 2023: WELCOME TO OUR NEW PUPILS
Chambers would like to welcome Alice Hewitt and Nicole Shaw who have each started their First Six Pupillages with us today. Edward Franklin and Paul Casey are their Pupil Supervisors and we wish them both the best of luck!
25th SEPTEMBER 2023: CONVICTIONS SECURED IN MULTI-COMPLAINANT INCESTUOUS CHILD ABUSE CASE
Following a three-week trial at Luton Crown Court, William Goss secured convictions on all 17 counts against man who, over the course of approximately 7 years, groomed, raped, and sexually and physically assaulted his elder daughter, and sexually assaulted another younger daughter. He was also convicted of the premeditated rape of his elder daughter’s school friend in a field during the COVID lockdown. Sentencing will take place in November.
William was instructed as Junior Counsel for the Crown by CPS Thames & Chiltern RASSO.
11th SEPTEMBER 2023: WELCOME
We are pleased to welcome Jade Lancaster, a lawyer from New Zealand, who will be spending three weeks being hosted by chambers and gaining some experience of the English courts and justice system. Jade is a Junior Crown Prosecutor at Raymond Donnelly & Co. in Christchurch, currently visiting England on the Pegasus scholarship scheme. We hope she finds her time here interesting and enjoyable.
24th AUGUST 2023: LIFE SENTENCE WITH 27-YEAR MINIMUM
Having pleaded guilty in April 2023 to murder, the defendant was today sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 27 years.
Jane Osborne KC, representing the prosecution, submitted that the defendant’s attack on his 28-year-old girlfriend, Ailish Walsh, who was 23 weeks pregnant with his child, was so brutal as to necessitate a starting point for sentence of 30 years. The judge stated in sentencing that the attack had some premeditation and was carried out with the intention of killing not only Ms Walsh but also their unborn child by virtue of the fact that at least one of the stab wounds was aimed towards the abdomen of the deceased and the foetus.
Having heard evidence from the pathologist about the 58 stab wounds to the deceased’s neck, face and genitals (caused by a pair of scissors) and multiple areas of blunt force trauma to the complainant’s head and face (likely caused by a 15kg dumbbell) HHJ Lickley KC labelled the attack "brutal, ferocious and savage” and found that the wounds were targeted with a view to causing maximum pain and an intention to disfigure Ms. Walsh. As a consequence, he found that the attack had elements that were sadistic in nature and therefore justified a minimum term starting point of 30 years as the seriousness of the offence was “particularly high.”
18th AUGUST 2023: CONVICTION SECURED IN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FINANCE FRAUD
Charles Drinnan successfully prosecuted a Pakistani national who was part of a wide ranging and complex conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation across a number of UK universities.
The scheme involved a ‘man on the ground’, who would approach university students asking them if they wanted a discount on their fees. If agreeable, the students’ details would be provided to the Defendant, who acting as a ‘middle-man’, would forward them to his co-conspirators in Pakistan. Credit card data from all around the world would then be mined from the dark web or stolen in another way before being used to pay the student’s fees. Upon confirmation of payment from the universities, students would pay the man on the ground, less their discount, and the money would move up the chain before disappearing into Pakistan. On occasion the fees would be overpaid, with refunds being directly paid from the university to the conspirators. The scheme unravelled when the foreign banks started reversing transactions (a process known as ‘chargeback’), leaving the students in huge debt to the universities having handed over their money to the conspirators. There was evidence of a ‘Ponzi’ element to the scheme whereby complaining students would have their chargebacks paid with the money of other students to retain trust and keep the scheme running. The total value of the fraud was over £150,000. The Defendant left the country to Pakistan before the verdict was delivered.
17th AUGUST 2023: REGULATORY SUCCESS - TEACHER PROHIBITED FROM TEACHING FOR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
Charles Drinnan successfully represented the Teaching Regulation Agency in a case before a Professional Conduct Panel.
The case concerned allegations of unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the professional into disrepute - the teacher was heavily intoxicated and took part in a drinking game with students at a school prom, where he groped a colleague having said ‘if it wasn't for her wedding ring, he’d f*** her in a heartbeat’. The teacher also bought jewellery for a pupil and failed to maintain appropriate professional boundaries in communications with the student.
The teacher had denied his conduct was sexually motivated, but the Panel found that the touching and the comment about having sex with her was sexually motivated. The Panel further found that the communications with the pupil were unprofessional and inappropriate and that the purchasing of jewellery was a failure to maintain professional boundaries.
The teacher was prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England. He may apply for the prohibition order to be set aside, but not until 5 years from the date of the order at the earliest.
Charles was instructed by Kingsley Napley LLP.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-66520306
15th AUGUST 2023: CONVICTIONS SECURED
Following a six-week trial at Kingston Crown Court, Tom Nicholson – acting as Leading Counsel for the Crown – secured the convictions of three men for their involvement in a shooting at an Indian restaurant in Greenford. Elton Charles – son-in-law of Lord Patten, former Governor of Hong Kong – was convicted for his role as ‘getaway driver’ and will be sentenced along with three others (one of whom had pleaded guilty before trial) in September 2023.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lord-patten-son-law-guilty-gun-crime-trial-court-zwljt3hg0
10th AUGUST 2023: CONVICTIONS & 17-YEAR EXTENDED SENTENCES SECURED
Sam Barker successfully prosecuted two men for a “shocking” mass stabbing after a botched robbery in the City of London. Each man was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment (serving at least two-thirds of their prison sentences) with an extra 5 years on licence once released. The judge commended City of London Police and awarded over £7500 from the City of London Sheriffs to 7 brave members of the public who tackled them.
8th AUGUST 2023: PROLIFIC CONVICTED PAEDOPHILE PLEADS GUILTY
Prosecuted by Tom Nicholson, with Edward Franklin appearing for the Crown at the plea hearing today, a convicted paedophile pleaded guilty to multiple counts relating to sexual abuse of boys aged 6-11 living in Vietnam, spanning a ten-year period.
National Crime Agency (“NCA”) investigators, working with Europol and Dutch authorities, identified Christopher Behn, 68, as a member of a Europe-wide network of men who travelled together to abuse children across the globe. He was arrested at Gatwick Airport in February 2020 after having been identified by NCA investigators as appearing in images with another member of the network, a Dutch man who was convicted in the Netherlands. Behn was detained by officers before he could board a flight to Vietnam.
His encrypted devices were seized and their forensic examination led to the recovery of photographs taken by Behn of him abusing children in Myanmar. He was prosecuted for these Myanmar-based offences by Tom Nicholson in 2021, leading to the imposition of an extended sentence of 12 years, but the NCA continued to investigate him as it was clear to officers that he was involved in offending on a much larger scale.
Further examination of his encrypted devices by Dutch police resulted in the recovery of images and videos of even more serious abuse. NCA investigators were then able to match the suspect’s diaries, extensive South East Asia travel history and online conversations between him and other offenders with some of the images, thus proving multiple occasions when Behn committed child abuse overseas between 2008 and 2018.
A sentencing hearing has been set for 29th September 2023. The NCA investigation of the organised paedophile network continues in a number of countries across Europe and includes suspects based in the UK.
28th JULY 2023: HUMAN TRAFFICKING CONVICTION SECURED
Following a trial at Reading Crown Court, Nick Alexander, as Leading Counsel, secures the conviction of Najib Khan for his involvement in an organised crime group linked to the prolific smuggling of migrants to the UK by lorry.
Khan was identified as being part of the network by the National Crime Agency after the arrest of his co-conspirator Waqas Ikram who was caught red-handed attempting to break into an HGV to put migrants inside. A seized iPhone contained numerous conversations with Khan outlining their involvement in another people smuggling network, charging migrants up to £7,000 a head to bring them to the UK.
They had been involved in multiple successful and unsuccessful crossings. One attempt foiled by border agents involved 16 migrants, including 11 minors, rescued from a purpose-built concealment in a lorry carrying loose tyres. Officers reported the heat and nature of the concealment made breathing difficult.
Ikram pleaded guilty at an earlier date. Both men will be sentenced in October.
28th JULY 2023: RETIRED MET POLICE OFFICERS SENTENCED
James Dawes KC and Jenny Burgess have secured the conviction of two retired Metropolitan police officers of conspiring to share indecent images of children over a period of 3 years. The conspiracy involved the shared use of a "library" of thousands of indecent images saved onto a shared hard drive. A third conspirator, RW, a serving Chief Inspector with the MPS, committed suicide before he was charged.
One of the defendants who was sentenced and who concealed devices containing indecent images of children within the walls of his home, was also convicted of encouraging RW to commit an offence of misconduct in public office by providing details and photographs of a young boy declared to be a missing person.
The two defendants were sentenced to a total of 9 years and 6 months.
24th JULY 2023: DRUG CONSPIRACY AND POSSESSION OF CRIMINAL PROPERTY - 18.5 YEAR SENTENCE
Charles Drinnan, as a led Junior Counsel, successfully prosecuted a leading conspirator in a substantial drugs case who has been sentenced at Winchester Crown Court to 18 years and 6 months’ imprisonment. The case involved the use of sophisticated ‘spoofing’ technology in an attempt to conceal a commercial drug dealing enterprise involving large quantities of high-purity cocaine, cannabis and large amounts of cash. Following a 4-week trial involving pre-eminent expert evidence on this complex technology, the lead defendant was unanimously convicted. At sentence, the Court agreed with the Prosecution that the defendant played a leading role. Two co-conspirators had earlier pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy.
Charles and Leading Counsel were instructed to prosecute by James Lewis of the Serious Economic, Organised Crime and International Directorate (SEOCID) of the CPS.
23rd JULY 2023: MURDER ACQUITTAL SECURED
Nicholas Alexander, as Junior Counsel for the Defence, represented a client who stood trial for a revenge murder over a drug debt. The client was one of a group who was said to have armed themselves with weapons and hunted down the victim and his group deliberately running them down with a car. During the course of the 6-week trial the client was subject to significant cut-throat defences by others and bad character applications. The client was acquitted of murder and attempted murder and convicted of manslaughter and wounding. The Judge at sentencing stated he was not satisfied the client had had a weapon. Counsel were instructed by Vienna Kang Advocates.
21st JULY 2023: SUSPENDED SENTENCE SECURED
Sally Mertens secures a suspended sentence for a young man convicted of a second offence of possession of a knife during the currency of a Youth Rehabilitation Order with Intensive Surveillance and Supervision Order for Section 18 and possession of a knife in July 2021.
Following a conviction for being in possession of a knife on the 19th of February 2023, the court found that there were exceptional circumstances and did not impose a sentence of immediate imprisonment. Mr Ince was sentenced to 6 months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months.
Sally was instructed byGuven Atesand Hazal Arslan of Atesh Solicitors in respect of both cases.
14th JULY 2023: 11 YEARS FOR MODERN SLAVERY OFFENDERS
Following a trial prosecuted by Paul Cavin KC and Amy Oliver, the two defendants have each been sentenced to 11 years in prison. The wife and the privately-employed carer of the victim (who has cerebral palsy) had exploited and isolated him to the extent that he was essentially enslaved in his own home. His needs were neglected to an extreme level, and he was subjected to violence by his carer from which his wife failed to protect him.
BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-66178290
Independent: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/sussex-disabled-man-wife-partner-jailed-b2375773.html
Daily Mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12298607/Moment-police-raid-Chichester-modern-slavery-house.html
5th JULY 2023: DRILL RAPPER JAILED
A Drill rapper 23-year-old Ellis Heather, also known as Rack5 has been locked up for 7 years after being caught with a Zoraki M906 gun.
Ellis Heather was caught last year by plain-clothes officers on the 7th of October 2022. Met Police officers were driving through Ladbroke Grove, West London when they noticed a black Mercedes with the defendant in the front passenger seat wearing an open-face balaclava. They tried to stop the car, but it made off and pulled over on nearby St Marks Road. The defendant jumped out of the car and ran down Bassett Road. Officers chased him and he was later detained and arrested. . They found the gun lying in some undergrowth nearby; the gun was found to be loaded and capable of being fired.
Mark Paltenghi and Sam Barker prosecuted, instructed by the CPS.
29th JUNE 2023: CLASS A DRUG IMPORTATION 23-YEAR SENTENCE
A leading participant in a drugs conspiracy case, prosecuted by John Ojakovoh and Edward Franklin, was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court to 23 years and 2 months’ imprisonment. The case involved the importation from the Netherlands into the UK of vast quantities of cocaine, with almost a tonne being imported in the final month of the conspiracy alone. The defendant had previously pleaded guilty but claimed, in a Newton hearing to determine the factual basis for sentencing, that he had played only a Significant role in the conspiracy and was only involved for the final two months. However, the Court agreed with the Prosecution that the defendant played a Leading role and had been involved for a number of years. Confiscation proceedings will follow.
John Ojakovoh and Edward Franklin were instructed to prosecute by Giorgina Venturella of the CPS International London and South East Division.
29th JUNE 2023: UNDERCOVER POLICING ENQUIRY PUBLISHES INTERIM REPORT
Undercover policing unit tactics not justified, says report - BBC News
Page Nyame practises in crime and public inquiries. She is instructed as counsel (second junior) on the Inquiry Legal Team and was a contributor to Counsel to the Inquiry’s submissions on section 2 of the Inquiries Act 2005 and the relevant legal framework applicable to undercover policing in the Tranche 1 era - Undercover Policing Inquiry (ucpi.org.uk)
26th JUNE 2023: FORMER ROYAL VERGER CONVICTED
Catherine Donnelly prosecuted Clive McCleester who was Queen Elizabeth II’s verger at Windsor Castle. The offences date from the 1960s to the 1980s. One of the complainants had died during the course of the proceedings and the Prosecution won a ruling allowing the deceased’s video evidence to go before a jury at trial. The defendant will be sentencd on the 10th July 2023.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/verger-child-sexual-abuse-clive-mccleester-qb6jlddlz
21st JUNE 2023: SIX CONVICTED OF SMUGGLING PLOT
Julian Jones, leading for the Crown, secures the convictions of six men charged with conspiracy to contravene section 170(1)(b) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 arising from their involvement in smuggling in excess of 6.5 million cigarettes. The duty they sought to evade would have exceeded £1,800,000, albeit the cigarettes were in fact counterfeit. The defendants received a variety of sentences totalling 26 years of imprisonment. One further defendant was acquitted.
In the lead-up to the trial, that had originally been scheduled to take place in January 2021 and which had been delayed for a variety of reasons, both leading and junior trial counsel for the Crown became unavailable. On the final working day before the trial, Julian Jones was instructed as replacement leading counsel, along with a replacement junior counsel. Four defendants failed to attend their trial and applications made by the Crown for these defendants to be tried in their absence were granted.
Julian was instructed by Janice Wild of the Serious Economic, Organised Crime and International Directorate (SEOCID) of the CPS.
https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/derby-news/littleover-man-part-gang-helped-8538121
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/richmond-cigarette-gang-behind-18m-27163996
14th JUNE 2023: LIFE IMPRISONMENT
Paul Cavin KC successfully prosecuted the trial and sentence of Erik Feld who today at the Old Bailey received a sentence of life imprisonment for murder with a minimum term of 28 years.
2nd JUNE 2023: ACQUITTALS SECURED
Jane Osborne KC secured unanimous acquittal for her client on 9 counts of historic sexual offences with allegations dating back to 1980 after a seven-day trial.
Jane was privately instructed by Kate Watts at Wannops LLP, Portsmouth.
22nd MAY 2023: SUCCESS FOR OUR PUPILS
Both our pupils – Simran Ghotra and Joe Weeks – have been busy in the Crown Court winning their first trials.
In her first effective Crown Court trial, Simran represented a woman charged with ABH and threatening to destroy property. Her client has autism and the co-defendant has ADHD and so there were intermediaries throughout the trial. Simran secured unanimous acquittals on both counts. She was instructed by Louise Rodaway at Wessex Solicitors.
Furthermore, in her third week of her second six months’ pupillage, Simran was instructed as trial counsel for the lead defendant who was jointly charged with affray with three others regarding an offence that allegedly occurred in March 2019. Simran made successful representations to the Prosecutor, who offered no evidence against Simran’s client on the day of trial. The Crown offered no evidence against Simran’s client alone. Simran was instructed by Oliver Mather at Lloyds PR Solicitors.
Joe Weeks has also had success at Chichester Crown Court where he represented one defendant in a case in which his four co-defendants had pleaded guilty. His client was charged with alternatives of theft and handling in relation to stolen catalytic converters. The case was withdrawn from the jury following Joe’s successful submission of no case to answer. Joe was instructed by Rhean Bailey of Goldman Bailey Solicitors.
19th MAY 2023: £100 MILLION ‘iSPOOF’ FRAUD MASTERMIND SENTENCED
Prosecuted by John Ojakovoh and James Caldwell, a man who masterminded ‘iSpoof’, a website that provided fraudsters with tools to commit fraud on an industrial scale, was sentenced today at Southwark Crown Court to 13 years and 4 months’ imprisonment for fraud and money laundering offences. This followed the Metropolitan Police’s largest ever fraud investigation, Operation Elaborate. Fraudsters paid using Bitcoin to purchase iSpoof subscriptions, allowing access to tools enabling them to pose as employees of banks and other trusted organisations, intercept one-time passwords and PIN codes, and empty victims’ bank accounts with devastating results. John Ojakovoh told the court how the defendant received ‘the lion’s share’ of iSpoof’s £3.2 million subscription proceeds, and that victims’ losses totalled at least £43 million in the UK and £100 million worldwide. Confiscation proceedings will follow.
John Ojakovoh and James Caldwell were instructed by Thomas Short of the CPS Serious Economic Organised Crime and International Directorate.
https://www.ft.com/content/9239cc58-cbee-42c1-87c1-4c14327203b9
19th MAY 2023: RECORDER APPOINTMENTS
HM The King has appointed James Dawes KC and Edward Franklin as Recorders on the advice of the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales. They are deployed to the South-Eastern circuit in the Crown Court.
17th MAY 2023: SENTENCED
Tom Nicholson prosecuted Operation Strey, in which the defendants Zietek and Beard were today sentenced to 8 years in prison for their role supplying passports to the highest echelons of organised crime.
BBC News: Fraudsters jailed for selling fake passports to fugitive criminals https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65560640
16th MAY 2023: ATTEMPTED MURDER CONVICTION SECURED
Toby Fitzgerald and Imogen Nelson secure conviction for Attempted Murder, after a 9-day trial at Maidstone Crown Court. On 5th November 2022, Miguel ‘Alex’ Batista carried out a planned attack born of jealousy and rage on the pub landlord of the Cricketer’s Inn, in Meopham, Kent, armed with knives and a spade. Alex Batista was today sentenced to 27 years’ imprisonment. The offence was investigated by the Kent and Essex Police Serious Crime Directorate. Toby and Imogen were instructed by the CPS.
To read more about the case, click the links below:
Man jailed after ‘ferocious and brutal attack’ on pub landlord | The Independent
12th MAY 2023: MODERN SLAVERY CONVICTIONS SECURED
Paul Cavin KC and Amy Oliver successfully prosecuted the carer and the wife of a man with cerebral palsy for their exploitation and ill-treatment of him over a 4-year period. The jury not only convicted the defendants of neglect and assault, but also found them guilty of the more serious offence of holding a person in slavery or servitude. Over a prolonged period, the victim's wife and privately-employed carer had isolated him from his family and left him almost permanently in bed, whilst they had an affair together.
28th APRIL 2023: ACQUITTAL SECURED ON ALL COUNTS
Imogen Nelson secures acquittal on 10 counts of sexual assault, following a five-day trial at Portsmouth Crown Court. Imogen’s elderly client was alleged to have engaged in a six-month course of sexual abuse against a vulnerable adult he met through his employment as a delivery driver. Imogen was instructed by Wessex Solicitors.
28th APRIL 2023: COURT OF APPEAL SUCCESS
William Goss successfully appeals against the unlawful imposition of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. The appeal also raised issues of the Court’s power to amend a Sexual Offences Prevention Order made in respect of convictions for Rape and other serious sexual offences committed over 13 years ago. William was instructed by the Registrar for Criminal Appeals.
20th APRIL 2023: CONVICTION SECURED IN £100 MILLION ‘iSPOOF’ FRAUD
Following the Metropolitan Police’s largest ever fraud investigation, John Ojakovoh and James Caldwell secured the conviction at Southwark Crown Court of the UK-based founder and leading administrator of the ‘iSpoof’ website, an online one-stop-shop for fraudsters. Users of iSpoof paid subscriptions in Bitcoin in exchange for services which included the ability to pose as employees calling from the genuine telephone numbers of banks and other trusted organisations and to intercept one-time passcodes, thus gaining access to and emptying victims’ bank accounts. The total losses enabled by iSpoof amount to £43 million in the UK alone and £100 million worldwide. The defendant will be sentenced in May.
John Ojakovoh and James Caldwell were instructed by Thomas Short of the CPS Serious Economic Organised Crime and International Directorate.
11th APRIL 2023: COMPANY DIRECTOR ACQUITTED OF FRAUD
John Ojakovoh, instructed as Leading Counsel, successfully defended his company director client against charges of Cheating the Public Revenue and four counts of Fraud, arising from allegations of deliberate failure to submit returns to HMRC and pay £300,000 in respect of care home employees’ PAYE and National Insurance after the care home entered administration. This was a case in which a detailed defence and perseverance with extensive and detailed disclosure requests and applications, achieved the client’s acquittal on all counts, after the Prosecution accepted that there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction and offered no evidence.
John Ojakovoh led Efstathios Divaris and was instructed by Kevin Lowry-Mullins, Consultant at TV Edwards LLP.
3rd APRIL 2023: DRUG IMPORTATION AND FIREARMS SENTENCES
Two men received sentences totalling 13 years’ imprisonment at Harrow Crown Court for cannabis importation and firearms offences, following an earlier three-week trial in which John Ojakovoh prosecuting secured convictions on all counts. The case involved the importationof cannabis into the UK from the USA with a street value of around £500,000, and a handgun and ammunition found in a lock-up unit in Wembley. In sentencing, the Court accepted the Prosecution submission that in the circumstances it could be inferred that the defendants stored the weapon intending that (or reckless as to whether) it would be used for a criminal purpose. A third man, who had previously pleaded guilty to participating in the cannabis importation, received a suspended sentence.
31st MARCH 2023: £20 MILLION DARK WEB CONSPIRACY
John Ojakovoh and Dominic Hockley successfully prosecuted one of the largest ever dark web drugs conspiracies and associated money laundering in a four-day Newton hearing to determine the factual basis for sentencing after the five defendants had pleaded guilty. The conspiracy involved the supply of counterfeit Xanax tablets (active ingredient Alprazolam, a Controlled Drug of Class C) with a street value of more than £20 million marketed over the dark web and internet. As the relevant drug supply Sentencing Council guidelines do not include indicative quantities for Harm for Alprazolam or indeed for any Class C drug, expert evidence was heard on the issue. The Court agreed with the Prosecution submissions that the evidence showed this to be a case far in excess of Category 1 Harm. The case also involved an extensive and complex cryptocurrency tracing exercise, as the conspiracy’s profits were laundered through Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency. The three main defendants were sentenced to a total of more than 20 years’ imprisonment. Two remaining defendants await sentence. Confiscation proceedings will follow.
John Ojakovoh and Dominic Hockley were instructed to prosecute the case by Adrian Flasher of the CPS Serious Economic Organised Crime and International Directorate, and Tammy Mears of the CPS. Page Nyame also assisted on the fourth day.
https://www.cps.gov.uk/wessex/news/three-imprisoned-one-britains-largest-dark-web-drugs-cases
24th MARCH 2023: MURDER CONVICTION SECURED
Paul Cavin KC, leading James Brown of 5KBW, secured the conviction of Mr Feld who murdered a man in a cemetery during an attack. The victim was repeatedly hit over the head with a claw hammer, causing fatal injuries. Sentence will take place on 31st March.
Tower Hamlets: Cemetery hammer attacker Erik Feld guilty of murder - BBC News
17th MARCH 2023: CONVICTIONS SECURED
Jane Carpenter secured the conviction of Corporal Conway on the charges of assault by penetration and rape following a court martial that took place at Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire. He is due to be sentenced on 11th May 2023 and faces being sent to a civilian prison and discharged from the Army. He has been made the subject of the sex offenders notifications requirements pending sentence.
17th MARCH 2023: CONVICTIONS SECURED
Tom Nicholson was instructed as Leading Counsel in this 10-week prosecution of six defendants at Reading Crown Court, leading Genevieve Reed of Red Lion Chambers.
The allegation was that the defendants had taken part in a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice by creating FOGs – fraudulently obtained genuine passports, with the name and details of one person and the photo of another, a criminal on the run. These included murderers and those at the very highest echelons of organised crime.
The investigation by the National Crime Agency (“NCA”) was one of their most significant in recent years, and took 5 years to come to conclusion.
The trial led to the convictions of three men – Christopher ZIETEK, Anthony BEARD and Alan THOMPSON. The NCA investigation also ensured that murderers like Christopher Hughes and Jordan Owen were brought to justice, and traced many high-level OCG nominals on the run round the world.
16th MARCH 2023: OPENING FOR THE PROSECUTION
Jane Carpenter has opened the case on behalf of the Service Prosecuting Authority against an Army Corporal charged with rape. The Military Court trial continues.
15th MARCH 2023: CITY EXEC’S LATE GUILTY PLEA
Fer Chinner represents the Prosecution in the case of ‘high-flyer’ City firm executive charged with sexual assault. The defendant changed his plea to guilty following a lengthy wait by the complainant to give evidence at trial. Sentence was adjourned to May.
13th MARCH 2023: WELCOME TO SEAN BRUNTON KC
We are delighted to announce that Sean Brunton KC has accepted an offer to join 2 Harcourt Buildings. Not only does Sean bring his extensive experience of Homicide and other serious crime, but also his substantial knowledge and expertise in environmental, health and safety, animal law and other regulatory crime. We welcome him and wish him a happy and prosperous future with us.
24th FEBRUARY 2023: RAPIST GETS 19 YEARS IMPRISONMENT
Following a trial, Kate Blumgart successfully secured the conviction on multiple counts of a rapist who today was sentenced to 19 years’ imprisonment. Mehari, 38, preyed upon vulnerable female victims – he dragged his first victim off a pathway in Kennington Park as she walked home from a night out with friends; three years later, he posed as an Uber driver to lure his second victim into his car and then raped her after she had fallen asleep on the backseat.
The sentencing judge ordered that he serve at least two thirds of his prison sentence before being considered for release. He will also be subject to sex offender notifications for life. Jenny Burgess represented the prosecution for the sentencing hearing.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/rape-kennington-uber-old-bailey-sentence-jail-b1062631.html
16th FEBRUARY 2023: DRUGS CONVICTIONS SECURED
Jenny Burgess and William Goss secured the convictions of two defendants, Urszula Drozd and Mariusz Kowalczyk, involved in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs worth £0.5 million following a joint National Crime Agency and Metropolitan Police operation. They and a third defendant who had pleaded guilty were sentenced to a total of 23 years 8 months.
Jenny and William were instructed by CPS London North West.
9th FEBRUARY 2023: MURDER CONVICTION SECURED
James Dawes KC and Edward Franklin secured the conviction of a youth for his part in a gang ride-out murder in Walthamstow. The youth had denied presence, claiming he had been wrongly identified. He will be sentenced on 10th March. James and Edward were instructed by CPS Homicide.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/youth-walthamstow-london-old-bailey-cctv-b2258803.html
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/youth-walthamstow-london-old-bailey-cctv-b1051791.html
8th FEBRUARY 2023: MURDER CONVICTION SECURED
James Dawes KC successfully prosecuted a man for murder in Birmingham Crown Court. Robert Goodwin, who stabbed his friend Shane Thompson 17 times with a kitchen knife, had claimed he was mentally unwell when he killed him. He will be sentenced for murder on 4th April. James was instructed by West Midlands CPS.
https://www.cps.gov.uk/west-midlands/news/man-convicted-murdering-shane-thompson
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-64582827
https://www.birminghamworld.uk/news/robert-goodwin-murder-shane-thompson-4019616
2nd FEBRUARY 2023: CONTESTED CONFISCATION PROCEEDINGS
Contested confiscation proceedings in which the prosecution claimed a benefit figure of £1,003,697 and substantial available assets including overseas property, ends in a final order of £2394 benefit with only £500 to pay.
The defendant (BS) was represented by Dominic Hockley at the confiscation proceedings. BS had been alleged to be part of an international OCG targeting celebrities such as Tamara Ecclestone and Frank and Christine Lampard in a series of high value burglaries. He was acquitted of this, but convicted of a related money laundering offence.
This case involved complex legal argument concerning the valuation of counterfeit currency as well as hidden assets, pensions and life interests in overseas property.
Dominic was instructed by Laurence Grant of Duncan Lewis Solicitors.
1st FEBRUARY 2023: MAN SENTENCED FOR MANSLAUGHTER
James Dawes KC prosecuted David Cheres who stabbed his neighbour 52 times, causing her death. The Defendant claimed he was mentally unwell when he killed her. He was convicted of manslaughter and ordered to be detained under the Mental Health Act. James was instructed by CPS Homicide.
4th JANUARY 2023: TWO HARCOURT BUILDINGS PUPILLAGES 2024
We are pleased to confirm that Two Harcourt Buildings are offering two 12-month pupillages starting in October 2024. Applications can now be submitted via the Pupillage Gateway and close on 8th February 2023.
Each pupillage carries an award of £32,400. For further details please visit the Two Harcourt Buildings advert on the Pupillage Gateway at Bar Council Jobs - Two Harcourt Buildings – 12 Months – October 2024 (pupillagegateway.com)
9th DECEMBER 2022: CPS PANEL UPGRADES
We are pleased to announce that a number of members of Chambers have been upgraded on the CPS lists of Advocate Panels and/or Specialist Lists. These include:
Sally Mertens – G4 General
Dominic Hockley - G4 General, G4 Serious Crime, G4 Fraud, G4 POCA
Natalia Constantine - G3 General
Amy Oliver - G3 General
Charles Drinnan - G3 General, G2 Serious Crime, G2 Fraud
William Goss - G2 Serious Crime, G2 Fraud
Page Nyame- G2 General, G2 POCA
(“G” denotes the grade. There are four grades - 1, 2, 3 & 4. Grade 4 is the highest. POCA stands for the Proceeds of Crime Act list.)
25th NOVEMBER 2022: JOHN OJAKOVOH INSTRUCTED IN ‘UK’S BIGGEST ANTI-FRAUD OPERATION’
John Ojakovoh has been instructed to prosecute in Operation Elaborate, described by the Metropolitan Police as the biggest proactive counter-fraud investigation ever in the UK.
The case involves the iSpoof website and its alleged UK-based administrator. The site operated as a one-stop shop for fraudsters, providing them with the technology to make telephone calls to victims under the pretence of being employees of legitimate banks and other trusted organisations. Victims are believed to have lost tens of millions of pounds.
John Ojakovoh is instructed by the CPS Serious Economic Organised Crime and International Directorate.
For further information please see:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63736573
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/nov/24/100-people-arrested-ispoof-uk-biggest-investigation
https://news.met.police.uk/news/more-than-100-arrests-in-uks-biggest-ever-fraud-operation-457840
18th NOVEMBER 2022: UNANIMOUS MANSLAUGHTER ACQUITTAL
Tom Nicholson acted for a defendant charged with Manslaughter, Possession of a Firearm, and Perverting the Course of Justice. Following a seven-week trial at Isleworth Crown Court, his client was the only defendant acquitted.
It had been alleged that his client was the driver for a planned “ride-out” in West London with a submachine gun. The plan was said to have been aborted when the gun accidentally went off – killing the front seat passenger. His client was alleged thereafter to have been involved in a hurriedly-hatched cover-up operation.
Tom was led by David Bentley KC of Doughty Street Chambers and instructed by James O’Hara at Imran Khan & Partners.
18th NOVEMBER 2022: MONEY LAUNDERING CONVICTIONS SECURED
Four-week money laundering trial at Southwark Crown Court concludes with Jenny Burgess and William Goss securing convictions on all counts of the only defendant, Jacob GROSS, who via his UK merchant accounts received over £1.6m from the online sale of illegal medications across numerous European countries.
The case was prosecuted by the Specialist Fraud Unit, the investigation provided over 100,000 pages of evidence, and was over a decade in duration.
11th NOVEMBER 2022: DRUG IMPORTATION AND FIREARMS CONVICTIONS AFTER TRIAL
Two men were convicted of drug importation and firearms offences this week after a three-week trial prosecuted by John Ojakovoh at Harrow Crown Court. The case involved the importation of cannabis into the UK from the USA with a street value of around £500,000, and a handgun and ammunition found in a lock-up unit in Wembley.
The first man had previously pleaded guilty to masterminding the cannabis importation but there was no forensic evidence linking him to the handgun and ammunition; and he denied possession, claiming that the items must have been stored without his knowledge by others who it was accepted also used the lock-up. The second man denied involvement in cannabis importation and claimed that the presence of his DNA on the handgun must have resulted from secondary transfer after he helped move a friend’s household belongings into the lock-up, a possibility which the expert witness was unable to rule out. However, the jury convicted on all counts.
The two men await sentencing, together with a co-defendant who had previously pleaded Guilty to cannabis importation.
3rd NOVEMBER 2022: FURTHER GUILTY PLEAS
Catherine Donnelly represented David Fuller who today pleaded guilty to a further sixteen counts dealing with his abuse of the bodies of twenty-three women over a thirteen-year period at two hospital mortuaries. Sentencing will take place at the Central Criminal Court the week of the 5th December 2022.
Catherine is instructed by Andrew Craske of Main Nicholls LLP.
3rd NOVEMBER 2022: SERIAL ROMANCE FRAUDSTER CONVICTED
Mark Paltenghi and James Caldwell secure the convictions of a high-value serial romance fraudster who duped his victims out of just over £324,000 in an investment scam. The defendant was convicted by a jury following a trial at Kingston Crown Court. Sentence has been adjourned.
https://www.cps.gov.uk/cps/news/serial-romance-fraudster-scammed-over-ps324000-victims
27th OCTOBER 2022: Following the Court of Appeal judgement in the case of Kadir v R [2022] EWCA Crim 1244, 2HB pupils Simran Ghotra and Joe Weeks review the guidance given on the use of live-link via WhatsApp in criminal trials. Read their guide here.
21st OCTOBER 2022: TWO HARCOURT BUILDINGS AND ITS MEMBERS RANKED IN 2023 CHAMBERS AND PARTNERS
We are delighted to announce that 2 Harcourt Buildings and 8 members individually have been ranked in the Crime and Financial Crime categories within the 2023 edition of Chambers and Partners UK.
Crime – 2 Harcourt Buildings - Band 4 London (Bar)
‘2 Harcourt Buildings is a recognised set for general crime with members of chambers prosecuting and defending the full range of criminal cases. Barristers at the set frequently take instruction in serious proceedings, many of them involving homicide, terrorism, sexual offences, drugs and child abuse. A source says: "All of the members I have worked with have shown a high level of commitment and professionalism in their work." Recent highlights include representing necrophile and serial murderer David Fuller, who was accused of murdering Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce in Tunbridge Wells in 1987.
Client Service:
"Senior clerk Keith Poynter is a diary wizard, even with the disarray that the criminal justice system is in. He is assisted by Joe Scanlan, Gary Wright and Amanda Copas, all of whom are excellent, friendly and super responsive (even on a Saturday, when we are forced to contact then!).”’
Individually Ranked Barristers London (Bar):
CRIME
James Dawes KC “Completely charming and infinitely disarming when he cross-examines.” [Band 5]
Paul Cavin KC “Paul is an authoritative advocate who has a deft touch with the jury.” [Band 5]
Jennifer Knight KC "It was no surprise when Jennifer was appointed KC. She is a fearless and formidable prosecutor." [Band 5]
Catherine Donnelly "Catherine is easy to work with and offers realistic advice to her clients." [Band 4]
Dominic Hockley “A talented and versatile practitioner." “He can get through thousands of pages of evidence in a short time”. [Band 4]
Christopher Stimpson "Chris is very focussed on getting his clients results. His endeavours on their behalf leave them feeling that they had the day in court that they deserved." [Band 5]
FINANCIAL CRIME
Jane Osborne KC “Jane Osborne KC is regularly instructed to prosecute complex frauds, including tax and revenue frauds, boiler room frauds and MTIC fraud. She is noted for her expert handling of cases involving allegations of money laundering. She acts on behalf of the Central Fraud Group.”
“Jane possesses the full range of advocacy skills required to be a performer at the highest level.” [Band 4]
Individually Ranked Barristers North Eastern (Bar):
CRIME
Julian Jones “Julian Jones prosecutes and defends complex criminal cases involving fraud, sexual assault and homicide. He possesses particular expertise in disclosure.”
“He is an excellent barrister who is extremely well read.” “Julian has an excellent manner in court.” “Julian works incredibly hard.” “He is a persuasive advocate.” [Band 3]
We would like to thank those who took the time to act as referees for this process.
10th OCTOBER 2022: WELCOME TO JULIAN JONES, DOOR TENANT
2 Harcourt Buildings is pleased to welcome Julian Jones as a practising door tenant. Having practised for many years in London, Julian moved to Park Square Barristers in Leeds in 2019. He now seeks to re-establish and develop his London-based serious crime practice and will do so through chambers.
Julian is a ranked individual in the Legal 500 - “Julian has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law… a barrister anyone would want in their corner”.
Julian is now available for instructions in London and the South of England.
30th SEPTEMBER 2022: TWO MEN SENTENCED FOR ‘SHOCKING AND BRUTAL’ ASSAULT AND ‘EXTREME AND HUMILIATING SEXUAL VIOLENCE’
Two men who were convicted in May 2022 of the kidnap, false imprisonment, multiple rape and assault of a 17-year-old girl, were sentenced today at Isleworth Crown Court. In sentencing, the Judge likened the victim’s 3-day ordeal, during which she was kidnapped, beaten with nun chucks, had her vagina searched for drugs and was raped multiple times, including on several occasions by both men at once, to torture. HHJ Barrie described the victim as a ‘remarkable young woman and one who has shown enormous courage’. Both Raheem Howe and Ajani Williams received extended sentences of 20 years and 8 months (with a 6 year extension period) and 16 years and 4 months (with a 6 year extension period) respectively.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/two-men-jailed-rape-teenage-girl-b2190895.html
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/teenage-girl-rape-country-lines-london-ipswich-abdul-howe-ajani-williams-b1029620.html
Jennifer Knight KC and Abigail Husbands were instructed by the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit.
29th SEPTEMBER 2022: TWO HARCOURT BUILDINGS MEMBERS RANKED IN 2022 LEGAL 500
We are delighted to announce that 7 members of Chambers have been individually ranked in 2 different categories within the 2022 Legal 500 publication.
CRIME
James Dawes KC 'James is a great detail man. He is incredibly hard-working. He knows his case and the papers inside out.' (Tier 4)
Jennifer Knight KC ‘Jennifer is an excellent communicator. She is one of the leaders in the field of sexual crime.' (Tier 4)
Jane Osborne KC ‘Jane combines a busy prosecution and defence practice, including a specialism in manslaughter.’ (Tier 4)
Catherine Donnelly (Tier 2)
Tom Nicholson ‘Tom combines a calm approach with excellent client care skills. His case preparation is first-rate.’ (Tier 2)
Sam Barker (Tier 4)
FRAUD CRIME
Dominic Hockley ‘Dominic is a polished advocate with an easy and engaging courtroom manner. He is exceptionally bright and has all the law at his fingertips.' (Tier 3)
Legal 500 Set Profile link: 2 Harcourt Buildings
20th SEPTEMBER 2022: COMPANY DIRECTOR IMPRISONED
A company director was sentenced last week at Southwark Crown Court to four years’ imprisonment following his trial earlier this year in which John Ojakovoh and Dominic Hockley secured unanimous convictions on all counts for the theft of £600,000 and associated money laundering. The money had been paid by four investors for convertible bonds intended to generate further funding for a biofuel project but was spent instead by the defendant on himself, family, friends and associates. The defendant claimed he had always intended to repay investors in full, but, as the judge remarked in sentencing, had not repaid one penny of that money in five years. The Court set a timetable for confiscation proceedings.
John Ojakovoh and Dominic Hockley prosecuted the case for the CPS Serious Economic Organised Crime and International Directorate.
13th SEPTEMBER 2022: ATTEMPTED MURDER CONVICTION SECURED AFTER FAILED M’NAGHTEN RULES INSANITY DEFENCE
Following a trial at The Old Bailey in front of HH Judge Philip Katz KC and a jury, Mark Paltenghi secured the conviction of the defendant for the attempted murder of his partner.
The case arose from an incident that occurred at the defendant’s address: At the conclusion of a heated argument lasting an hour or so in the early hours of the morning with his wife, that was overheard by neighbours in the block of flats where he lived, the defendant, having armed himself with a kitchen knife, proceeded to stab her at least 30 times to the head, neck and torso; one of the wounds slit her throat. This all took place in front of two young children. A particularly brave neighbour, having heard the victim shout that her partner was armed with a knife and the children crying, kicked in the door, grabbed the children and took them to safety, whilst his partner called for the police. It is only because the victim was rushed to hospital so quickly that she survived.
At trial, the defendant did not dispute wounding his partner, but relied upon the very rarely use defence of insanity under the M’Naghten rules. It was a particularly difficult case to prosecute because : (a) The Crown was unable to call the victim as, 2½ years on, she was still unfit to give evidence; and (b) both defence psychiatrists agreed - as did the Crown's expert - that the defendant's mental health at the time of the offence satisfied the relevant criteria under the rules. The defendant did not give evidence at trial, but relied upon the said expert evidence. The prosecution case was advanced on the basis that this was a "domestic argument" which had been prompted by the defendant suspecting that his wife was having an affair and which culminated in the defendant losing his temper - a scenario that the experts were unable to accept.
Ultimately, of course, it was for the jury to decide whether to accept the expert evidence or not and, at the end of a 2-week trial, they concluded that the defendant (upon whom the burden of proof lay) had failed - on the balance of probabilities - to establish the defence of insanity and convicted him of attempted murder. Sentence has been adjourned to 14 October 2022.
The legal directions given by the trial judge on insanity can be found here.
https://www.mylondon.news/news/north-london-news/dad-who-stabbed-girlfriend-more-25009223
29th JULY 2022: COUZENS APPEAL DISMISSED
Couzens appeal dismissed by the Court of Appeal; read what 2HB's Tom Nicholson wrote about Whole Life Orders two weeks ago here.
28th JULY 2022: CLASS A DRUG IMPORTATION CONVICTIONS AFTER TRIAL
John Ojakovoh and Edward Franklin secured convictions this week at Isleworth Crown Court for conspiracies to import cocaine and heroin. Evidence showed that the defendant, a lorry driver, had brought Class A drugs into the UK in his lorry via Harwich port on four occasions before being stopped at the port with his fifth consignment, 146 kilos of cocaine and heroin, which had a street value of more than £14 million. The defendant claimed that he had been unaware that any drugs had been placed on his lorry, but the jury convicted unanimously on both counts of conspiracy in the fourth week of the trial. He awaits sentencing, together with co-defendants who had previously pleaded Guilty.
John Ojakovoh and Edward Franklin prosecuted the case for the CPS Serious Economic Organised Crime and International Directorate.
22nd JUNE 2022: WHEN DOES LIFE MEAN LIFE?
Tom Nicholson explores the meaning of Life, here.
17th JUNE 2022: LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR SUTTON COLDFIELD DAGGER MURDERER
James Dawes QC secured a conviction for murder for the stabbing of a man to death with an SS dagger. The Defendant had admitted manslaughter but denied murder.
Kane Stonehouse was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 20 years at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday 17th June 2022.
Junior counsel was Robert Price and the instructing solicitor was Louisa Connolly, both of West Midlands CPS.
10th JUNE 2022: PETER CLEMENT
1st JUNE 2022: SENTENCING COUNCIL CONSULTATION
2HB’s pupil, Brittany Buckell, examines the recent draft guideline on Perverting the Course of Justice issued by the Sentencing Council for consultation. Read her overview here.
23rd MAY 2022: ACQUITTAL SECURED IN MULTI-HANDED ARMED ROBBERY CASE
After a 5-day trial at Portsmouth Crown Court, Charles Drinnan secured the unanimous acquittal of his client who had been accused of a serious dwelling armed robbery. The jury took less than two hours to acquit.
The three defendants were accused of entering a man’s home and violently attacking him before stealing his property. They were arrested close by on the same evening.
Forensic evidence linked Charles’ client to the premises, a co-defendant was found with a missing item and the other was identified in an ID parade.
Charles adduced his client’s antecedent record as part of the defence and successfully argued into evidence the reprehensible behaviour of the Complainant along with his co-counsel.
Charles was instructed by Tracy Heywood of Wessex Solicitors.
20th MAY 2022: ACQUITTAL SECURED IN RAPE CASE
After a 5-day trial at Portsmouth Crown Court, Imogen Nelson secured the unanimous acquittal of her client who had been accused of rape.
The defendant, who was of previous good character, was accused of raping the complainant at a party. The issue for the jury was whether the complainant was too intoxicated to consent, and whether the defendant’s belief in her consent was reasonable.
Imogen was instructed by Kate Watts at Wannops LLP.
17th MAY 2022: TWO MEN GUILTY OF KIDNAP, FALSE IMPRISONMENT, RAPE AND ASSAULT
Following a 9-week trial at Isleworth Crown Court, two men have been convicted of the kidnap, false imprisonment, multiple rape and assault of a 17-year-old girl. The victim’s 3-day ordeal during which she was kidnapped in the early hours of the morning in Ipswich and held hostage in a hostel in the town before being taken to London, was motivated by revenge over a drug debt. The victim was beaten with nun chucks, had her vagina searched for drugs and was raped multiple times, including on several occasions by both men at once. The defendants will be sentenced later this year.
Jennifer Knight QC and Abigail Husbands were instructed by the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit.
https://www.mylondon.news/news/north-london-news/girl-17-kidnapped-raped-attacked-23988744
https://www.fulhamsw6.com/#!pages/shared:common:hfcrime312
https://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/crime/brent-men-convicted-after-girl-kidnapped-and-raped-8970128
https://www.hammersmithtoday.co.uk/#!pages/shared:common:hfcrime312
13th MAY 2022: CONVICTION UPHELD IN PRIVATE PROSECUTION BY MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT
The Court of Appeal this week published judgment in the case of Macmillan Cancer Support v Toogood [2022] EWCA Crim 633 in which John Ojakovoh successfully responded to an appeal against conviction for theft and fraud in connection with donations raised in a Macmillan ‘Go Sober’ charity event by a regular customer of a pub managed by the Appellant. The Court rejected all three of the Appellant’s grounds of appeal in a judgment handed down by the Lord Chief Justice. The Appellant’s first ground asserted that the trial judge’s remarks in summing up wrongly implied that her defence was logically contradictory, but the Court agreed with John Ojakovoh’s characterisation of the remarks as ‘a colloquial way of reminding [the jury] to “focus on the real issues”’.
The Appellant’s second ground asserted that late prosecution evidence given at trial ought to have been excluded, but the Court upheld the trial judge’s ruling as the matters to which the evidence pertained ought to have been flagged in the defence statement.
The Appellant’s third ground asserted that investigators had shared her defence statement in meetings with key prosecution witnesses, allowing them to tailor their evidence and warning them of potential cross-examination points. John Ojakovoh submitted that the meeting notes merely indicated that the witnesses had been given a ‘short unobjectionable summary of the defence’. The Court agreed that nothing improper occurred, and that the investigators had merely complied with their duty to make reasonable lines of enquiry.
The Appellant had been convicted on 22 June 2021 after a six-day trial at Winchester Crown Court and sentenced on 26 August 2021 to a total of 18 months’ imprisonment suspended for 24 months and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and pay compensation of £1500 to Macmillan Cancer Support.
John Ojakovoh was instructed by Ashley Fairbrother of Edmonds Marshall McMahon in this private prosecution for Macmillan Cancer Support.
A transcript of the judgment can be found here.
12th MAY 2022: COMPANY DIRECTOR CONVICTED OF THEFT AND MONEY LAUNDERING
John Ojakovoh and Dominic Hockley secured convictions on all counts in the trial at Southwark Crown Court of a Company Director for the theft of £600,000 and associated money laundering. The money had been paid to the company by four investors in convertible bonds intended to generate further funding for a biofuel project. John Ojakovoh told the jury that this was a case of ‘other people’s money burning a hole in the defendant’s pocket’ as the defendant spent investment proceeds on himself, his family and his friends. The defendant claimed that he had always intended to repay the money, but the jury convicted unanimously on all counts.
John Ojakovoh and Dominic Hockley prosecuted the case for the CPS Serious Economic Organised Crime and International Directorate.
6th MAY 2022: ACQUITTAL SECURED IN STABBING CASE
Imogen Nelson secures acquittal by a jury of man accused of Wounding with Intent to Cause Grievous Bodily Harm.
Her client, the defendant, was accused of attending the flat of the complainant and stabbing him in the stomach with a knife in revenge for an argument between the defendant’s girlfriend and the complainant. The defence at trial was that whilst the defendant accepted presence, he denied stabbing the complainant and alleged that another person was responsible. Although this wasn’t mentioned by him in interview, he made this fact known at an early stage of the Crown Court proceedings. Following legal argument on the first day of trial and Imogen’s successful application for disclosure, material in support of a non-defendant bad character application was served by the prosecution. At trial, one particular pillar of the defence case was that there had been a wholesale failure by the Police to pursue this very reasonable line of enquiry.
Imogen was instructed by Louise Rodaway of Wessex Solicitors.
30th MARCH 2022: THE LOCKDOWN DRUG DEALER
Tom Nicholson prosecuted the NCA case of Fatjon Kurti, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison today, after using the first three months of lockdown in 2020 to supply 58kgs of cocaine, worth some £2m. Kurti used an Encrochat encrypted phone to supply a network of other dealers with kilos of cocaine, using couriers to deliver the cocaine and collect hundreds of thousands of pounds in cash. Kurti was caught partly because he sent photos showing his Playstation football profile to fellow drug dealers, another way he occupied his time while sitting at home, trafficking cocaine on a grand scale.
https://www.dorset.live/news/dorset-news/cocaine-dealer-jailed-after-phone-6884289
3rd MARCH 2022: COURT OF APPEAL AGREES SENTENCE UNDULY LENIENT
Originally one of Catherine Donnelly’s cases, this was a domestic violence case where the prosecution successfully appealed the sentence on the basis it was unduly lenient. The Court of Appeal found the facts to be so serious that the correct approach was to depart from the Sentencing Council Guidelines.
The Court stated “'There must be rare cases where (a) the interests of justice require departure from the guideline and (b) a failure to do so will lead to an unduly lenient sentence. Given the approach taken by the Solicitor General and in view of the outcome of a conventional application of the guideline, it is unnecessary for us to determine whether this is one of those cases. Had we been required to decide the issue, our preliminary view is that, irrespective of any other application of the guideline, this is one of those rare cases’.
The transcript of the judgment can be found here.
3rd MARCH 2022: 2HB PUPIL AWARDED ANN GODDARD SCHOLARSHIP
Many congratulations to 2HB’s pupil, Page Nyame, who has been awarded an Ann Goddard Scholarship by Gray’s Inn. This scholarship is awarded to certain individuals of merit who undertake pupillage in publicly funded (legal aid) work.
https://www.graysinn.org.uk/news/grays-inn-pupillage-scholars-2022
2nd March 2022: 2HB PUPIL CONTRIBUTES TO CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PANEL DISCUSSION
2HB’s pupil, Naomi Barker, participated in a panel discussion at Peterhouse and Newnham College at Cambridge University regarding applying to the Bar and life as a barrister. Naomi was one of three panellists invited to reflect on their different experiences and professional backgrounds and she was able to contribute valuable advice from the perspective of a criminal barrister. Her pupil master is Nicholas Alexander.
1st MARCH 2022: CVP REMOTE HEARING GUIDANCE 2022
2HB’s pupil, Page Nyame, examines the recent guidelines issued by the Lord Chief Justice regarding the use of CVP remote hearings. Read her overview here.
4th FEBRUARY 2022: JOSHUA HALL KILLER SENTENCED
James Dawes QC prosecuted Harley Demmon, who was today ordered to be detained at her Majesty’s pleasure for a minimum of 14 years at Gloucester Crown Court. Demmon’s name was allowed to be published even though he was only 15 when he murdered Joshua Hall. Demmon was convicted after a contested trial.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-60259528
5th JANUARY 2022: TEENAGER ACQUITTED OF KIDNAP, FALSE IMPRISONMENT, BLACKMAIL AND POSSESSION OF KNIVES
Sally Mertens successfully represented an 18-year-old (17 at the time of the offences) accused of being the fifth member of a group of kidnappers who held the victim hostage while attempting to extort money from his High-Net-Worth family in North London in February 2020. The gang applied a tracker to the victim’s car and then orchestrated a damage only collision involving him. When he got out of the vehicle to enquire why a BMW had crashed into the rear of his Mercedes, he was bundled into a Chrysler, stabbed and held hostage for 11 hours, whilst they demanded a ransom of £100,000 from his family. The false imprisonment came to an end when there was an intervention by armed officers.
Sally represented the fifth defendant who had purchased the BMW used in the car collision and had sat outside the victim’s family home whilst the kidnappers made their demands.
After a two-week trial he was acquitted in an hour of kidnap, false imprisonment, blackmail and possession of two knives.
The other four defendants pleaded earlier last year and will be sentenced at a later date.
Sally was instructed by Mohsin Ariff and Kate Coleman of Lloyds PR Solicitors.
20th DECEMBER 2021: PRA fines Standard Chartered Bank £46,550,000 for failing to be open and cooperative with the PRA
The Prudential Regulation Authority (“PRA”) has imposed a financial penalty on Standard Chartered Bank of £46.55 million for failing to be open and cooperative with the PRA and for failings in its regulatory reporting governance and controls in relation to a tailored PRA liquidity expectation.
This is the largest fine the PRA has imposed in a case brought by the PRA alone and independently of the FCA.
2HB’s Max Mills was instructed by the Bank of England to act as an Investigator.
Read the Bank of England’s press release dated 20/12/21 here.
https://amp.theguardian.com/business/2021/dec/20/standard-chartered-fined-bank-of-england-pra
https://amp.ft.com/content/956cc32f-d114-4300-9806-96939e96f45c
20th DECEMBER 2021: 27 YEAR-OLD SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR KILLING 3 YEAR-OLD
Paul Marsh was today sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment for Manslaughter and Child Cruelty having been convicted in November of killing his partner’s 3 year-old daughter. The victim, who was one of twins, suffered with serious global developmental delay and was undergoing assessment for autism. In sentencing, Mr Justice Cavanagh told Paul Marsh there was no conceivable excuse for him taking out his frustrations on the child, killing her in a fit of anger and aggression.
Jennifer Knight QC and Emilie Morrison of 2HB prosecuted the case for South East Complex Casework Unit and Kent Police Major Crime Unit.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-59730120
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/folkestone-kent-police-paramedics-witness-b1979506.html
16th DECEMBER 2021: 8 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL MONEY LAUNDERER
John Ojakovoh successfully prosecuted a man for his role as the organiser of a multi-million-pound international money-laundering operation in which he and an associate made some 30 journeys from the UK to Dubai with suitcases of criminal cash.
Having entered a late guilty plea on the first day of trial, he was later sentenced on 16th December at Southwark Crown Court to 8 years’ imprisonment.
John Ojakovoh was instructed by Claire Busby of the CPS Specialist Fraud Division. The case was investigated by the National Crime Agency.
15th DECEMBER 2021: DAVID FULLER RECEIVES WHOLE LIFE ORDER
Catherine Donnelly acted as Junior Counsel for David Fuller who, on 15th December 2021 at Maidstone Crown Court, was given a whole life order for the historic murders of Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce in Tunbridge Wells.
He was also sentenced for sexual abuse of corpses in the mortuary at the Pembury hospital, offences of extreme pornography, indecent images of children and voyeurism.
In her sentencing remarks The Honourable Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said:
There are some crimes which are so wicked that even if the prisoner is detained until he dies it will not exhaust the requirements of retribution and deterrence. I have no doubt at all that had the Secretary of State been required to set a tariff for the totality of your murderous, bizarre, and grossly repellent offending David Fuller, you would have been notified that you would never be released from prison. In my judgment your offending falls into that extreme category and would have been considered by any reasonable judge or Home Secretary to do so, whether you were sentenced in 1988 shortly after the murders or today.
And who are you David Fuller? You are 67 years old. In 1973 and 1976 you were convicted of dozens of burglaries committed by climbing into homes through windows. You have spent the subsequent 45 years living an outwardly mild and ordinary life, you were described as a man who was good under pressure, while in seclusion you committed acts of the deepest darkness. Having killed two young women who were full of the promise of life you became a vulture, picking your victims from among the dead, within the hidden world of hospital mortuaries which you were left free to inhabit, simply because you had a swipe card. The depravity of what you did reveals that your conscience is seared; calloused over. The sentence I am about to pass means you will spend every day of the rest of your life in prison.
A government Inquiry has been ordered into the Mortuary offending. Sir Jonathan Michael, a fellow at the Royal College of Physicians, will chair the inquiry.
Catherine Donnelly was led by Oliver Saxby QC and instructed by Andrew Craske and Andrew Main of Main Nickolls, Tonbridge.
Read the transcript of sentencing remarks here.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-59207611
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/17044961/david-fuller-bedsit-murderer-jailed-for-life-corpses/
14th DECEMBER 2021: WOMAN SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABDUCTION
Charlotte Robbins, 28, has been sentenced for abducting a child during a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in March 2020. Appearing for the prosecution at the trial in April 2021 Dominic Hockley told the jury that “no child should be dragged from his mother by a stranger”. The jury convicted her, finding that her actions were unreasonable.
Charlotte Robbins snatched the four-year-old boy from her mother and carried him away through the crowd. The frantic mother cried for help as she caught up with them and a man from the crowd assisted in returning the child to his mother. Robbins was intoxicated at the time having taken GHB and alcohol and claimed to have made a mistake as to the identity of the child.
Robbins was sentenced to an 18-month community order with a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/woman-who-snatched-boy-royal-25697317
6th DECEMBER 2021: ACQUITTAL SECURED IN SECTION 18 WOUNDING CASE
Following a two-week re-trial at Maidstone Crown Court, Imogen Nelson secured the unanimous acquittal of her client who was the First Defendant on the indictment. It had been alleged that her client was jointly involved in a serious stabbing that occurred in Gravesend in June 2020.
The issue at trial was whether her client was liable as an accessory by virtue of his alleged involvement as a ‘getaway driver’. Until his acquittal by the jury, the defendant had spent 18 months in custody on remand.
Imogen was instructed by Mark French of Montague Solicitors.
1st DECEMBER 2021: CUSTODIAL SENTENCES FOR CIGARETTE SMUGGLING GANG
The prosecution team, which included Dominic Hockley, secured convictions of those involved in the smuggling and selling of 117 million illicit cigarettes across the UK over a three-month period in 2020 (worth £36 million in lost duty and taxes) and moving cash out of the country. Three of the smugglers were caught after officers from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs cracked their messages on the encrypted comms platform EncroChat. They were also convicted of money-laundering having sent approximately £8 million in cash out of the country during the first lockdown, of which £1.6 million was seized by officers in May 2020. James Caldwell represented the prosecution at the sentencing hearing at which two defendants were sentenced to over 14 years’ imprisonment.
1st DECEMBER 2021: FAREHAM DEVELOPER SENTENCED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME
Amy Oliver represented the prosecution in the sentencing hearing of luxury homes developer, Knightsgate (UK) Ltd, for damaging or destroying a resting place of a wild animal of a European protected species, namely dormice.
In breach of environmental regulations and planning permission conditions, Knightsgate instructed a tree surgeon to clear the land in Botley Road, Swanwick with a view to building six new homes. In so doing, they destroyed the natural habitat of dormice and other species, with long-lasting effects on biodiversity. The court found that the company had acted deliberately, and that it was a flagrant and blatant offence.
Knightsgate was sentenced to a fine of £40,000 and was also given a confiscation order of approximately £69,000 which represented the cost of the mitigation measures which they should have, but did not, put in place before commencing work on the site.
https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/19754923.knightsgate-uk-ltd-cleared-land-rookery-avenue-swanwick/
25th NOVEMBER 2021: CRIME & CLIMATE
Following COP26, 2HB Pupils, Brittany Buckell and Page Nyame, discuss what the criminal law can do for the environment. Read their article here.
21st NOVEMBER 2021: 2HB PUPIL PARTICIPATES IN OXFORD UNIVERSITY LAW SOCIETY PANEL DISCUSSION REGARDING CAREERS IN LAW
Recently 2HB’s First Six Pupil, Naomi Barker, discussed her start to a career as a criminal barrister with other panel members at Harris Manchester College’s Law Society event. She was one of three Oxford law graduates who were invited to contribute to the discussion about beginning a career in law.
Naomi studied Jurisprudence at St. Anne’s College, Oxford; thereafter she worked at a couple of legal charities representing survivors of torture and immigration detainees, before being called to the Bar in 2019. She also worked as a paralegal at the Infected Blood inquiry before she successfully applied for pupillage at 2HB, starting here in September. Nick Alexander is her Pupil Supervisor.
12th NOVEMBER 2021: 2HB PUPIL CONTRIBUTES TO ‘THE CIRCUITEER’
2HB’s 2nd Six Pupil, Page Nyame, has written about her and other pupils’ experiences of the inaugural South Eastern Circuit (‘SEC’) remote marshalling scheme; her comments are published at page 10 of the SEC Magazine ‘The Circuiteer’ Autumn 2021 edition.
https://southeastcircuit.org.uk/images/uploads/Circuiteer_50_Nov_2021.pdf
11th NOVEMBER 2021: COUNTY LINE DRUG-DEALER WHO WAS ALSO GUILTY OF MODERN SLAVERY SENTENCED
Ajay Stephens was today sentenced to 8 years and 7 months’ imprisonment for offences which included arranging and facilitating the movement of people (modern slavery) and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Stephens was the holder of the ‘P’ line, which was a county line running drugs from London to Hastings. He would get unsuspecting women to book and pay for accommodation in Hastings and then he made two vulnerable teenage boys, aged 15 and 17, travel from their care home in Manchester via London to collect the drugs and then to Sussex to deal his crack cocaine and heroin.
Following a swift investigation by both the Metropolitan and Sussex police forces in March 2020, Stephens was arrested and the children were safeguarded.
Toby Fitzgerald and Amy Oliver represented the prosecution.
3rd NOVEMBER 2021: BOY, 16, GUILTY OF MURDER
James Dawes QC secures conviction of 16-year-old for the murder of Joshua Hall who was killed in a vicious stabbing on a sports field in Dursley, Gloucestershire. James was instructed by Jo Pearce of CPS South West.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-59153274
https://www.glosnews.com/articles/joshua-hall-murder-trial-16-year-old-boy-found-guilty
3rd NOVEMBER 2021: 27 YEAR-OLD CONVICTED OF KILLING HIS PARTNER’S 3 YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER
27-year old care-worker Paul Marsh was convicted of Manslaughter and Child Cruelty today at Maidstone Crown Court. He killed his partner’s 3 year-old daughter in December 2019, having assaulted her on at least 2 previous occasions. Mr Marsh will be sentenced in December 2021. Jennifer Knight QC and Emilie Morrison of 2HB prosecuted the case for the South East Complex Casework Unit and Kent Police Major Crime Unit.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/folkestone/news/man-killed-girl-3-in-fit-of-temper-256807/
1st NOVEMBER 2021: TRIAL OF MAN ACCUSED OF MURDERING TWO WOMEN IN 1987 BEGINS AT MAIDSTONE CROWN COURT
The trial of an electrician accused of murdering two women over 30 years ago began at Maidstone Crown Court today. New familial DNA techniques and his sexual treatment of the victims’ bodies and bodies within a mortuary where he worked linked him to the killings.
The accused accepts he killed the women but asserts he was suffering an abnormality of the mind at the time such that he should be found Not Guilty of murder by reason of diminished responsibility.
He is represented by Catherine Donnelly. The trial continues.
28th OCTOBER 2021: REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE 5th OF NOVEMBER – KNOW YOUR EXPLOSIVE SUBSTANCES
Recently the Court of Appeal published judgment in the case of R. v. Margelis [2021] EWCA Crim 1215 where Dominic Hockley successfully responded to an appeal against conviction for an offence of making explosive substances, contrary to section 4(1) of the Explosive Substances Act 1883. The Applicant had pleaded guilty following the Crown Court Judge’s ruling that a device concealed in a parcel sent though the post which would ignite and cause a fire, with the intention of destroying the address label so as to facilitate fraud was an “explosive substance” under the 1883 Act. The Appellant contended the judge’s ruling was wrong in law.
The Appellant had devised a scheme for making fraudulent claims that expensive items had been lost in the post. Instead he would post a device that would set fire to the address label so that it could not be delivered.
The key questions on appeal were the meaning of ‘explosive’ and what amounts to a ‘pyrotechnic effect’. On behalf of the Respondent, Dominic successfully argued that the device in this case was intended to produce a sudden triggering of fire as a result of the timer causing the circuit to be completed and to heat up, and therefore is at least capable of causing a pyrotechnic effect. The Appellate judges agreed and ruled that it could “be said that a pyrotechnic effect occurs when, as a result of a sudden triggering event, heat, light, sound, gas smoke or a combination of these effects is produced through a self sustained exothermic (i.e. energy releasing) chemical reaction” and that “Applying this test, we have no doubt that the device in this case was at least capable of constituting an explosive substance”.
Given there was no issue of fact identified which the jury would have needed to determine, the appeal was dismissed.
https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Crim/2021/1215.html
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-57121428
https://www.times-series.co.uk/news/national/19304691.jail-student-sent-explosive-devices-post/
26th OCTOBER 2021: ACQUITTAL SECURED FOLLOWING PROSECUTION DISCLOSURE FAILURES
Sam Barker, instructed by Wessex Solicitors, represented a Defendant accused of luring a man with whom he had a business disagreement to an address before violently detaining and torturing him at Portsmouth Crown Court.
The allegation arose from an incident in June 2017, but the case had problems from the outset, leading to an ‘inexplicable’ delay in charging for over 2 years. The case hinged on evidence obtained from mobile telephone downloads from the three Defendants, after the Complainant refused to provide his own telephone.
Wessex Solicitors had actively sought to engage with the Prosecution over disclosure, and repeatedly set out the Defence’s concerns. By day two of the trial, Sam applied to exclude the core evidence in the case on the basis that the disclosure exercise had been so badly conducted by the Police and Prosecution that the evidence’s use would make the proceedings unfair. The Judge described the history of the case as ‘long and alarming’ and identified ‘a number of failures by the Prosecution and Police’ to comply with ‘the requirements of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, or judicial orders, or indeed any compliance with the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act, and the Criminal Procedure Rules’.
In excluding all of the telephone material which made up the bulk of the Prosecution’s case, the Judge concluded that “there has been a catastrophic failure to disclose this material correctly, properly, and in a way that gives one any confidence that all the duties have been complied with.”
2 Harcourt Buildings has extensive experience in disclosure exercises which are large and complex, and is able to advise at all stages of criminal proceedings. Many members of Chambers have advised Government teams, investigators, and specialist prosecution units during ongoing cases. Disclosure has become a fiercely contested battle-ground for large trials, and Chambers is able to offer barristers of all levels with outstanding experience to assist in these areas, whether prosecuting or defending.
21st OCTOBER 2021: TWO HARCOURT BUILDINGS AND ITS MEMBERS RANKED IN 2022 CHAMBERS AND PARTNERS
We are delighted to announce that 2 Harcourt Buildings and 9 members individually have been ranked in the Crime and Financial Crime categories within the 2022 edition of Chambers and Partners UK.
Crime – 2 Harcourt Buildings - Band 4 London (Bar)
‘Client Service:
2 Harcourt Buildings is a recognised set for general crime with members of chambers prosecuting and defending the full range of criminal cases. Barristers at the set frequently take instruction in serious proceedings, many of them involving homicide, terrorism, sexual offences, drugs and child abuse. Sources say: "You know that whoever you are dealing with here will be a daunting opponent but also one who can be relied upon to be fair and courteous."
"A very well-run and reliable set. Their clerks are always willing to assist, whether it be on a busy Monday morning, or in a situation where there's a last-minute remand." Keith Poynter is the senior clerk.’
Individually Ranked Barristers London (Bar):
CRIME
James Dawes QC “A well-prepared, fair and clear advocate who is a smooth operator." [Band 5]
Paul Cavin QC "He is very charming and effective in court." [Band 6]
Jennifer Knight QC "She is fantastic when it comes to big sex cases and an effective cross-examiner. A delight to deal with because she is so fair and reasonable." [Band 6]
Catherine Donnelly "She has excellent personal skills and is an oasis of calm in difficult trials." [Band 5]
Timothy Hunter "A fearsome fighter who focuses on the important points and speaks realistically to clients about what can and cannot be done." [Band 5]
Christopher Stimpson "An expert in defending matters of a sexual nature." [Band 6]
Dominic Hockley “An absolutely delightful and fair prosecutor who fashions a lovely turn of phrase in the course of his advocacy." [Up and Coming]
Emilie Morrison "She's good with clients as she's firm but without alienating them." [Band 6]
FINANCIAL CRIME
Jane Osborne QC "She is very diligent, has a nice manner with witnesses and judges, and is good with legal submissions." [New Silks]
We would like to thank those who took the time to act as referees for this process.
19th OCTOBER 2021: 6 MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR CARE WORKER
Having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing, a care worker was sentenced today to 6 months’ imprisonment for ill-treating a vulnerable adult with Down’s syndrome while he was in her care. She had pushed, grabbed and slapped the victim while he resided at a care home in Worthing that he had moved to following the death of his mother. Charles Drinnan represented the prosecution.
https://www.sussexlive.co.uk/news/sussex-news/worthing-care-home-worker-slapped-6086563
19th OCTOBER 2021: CREDIT FOR PLEA, CLARITY IS KEY
2HB pupil, Page Nyame, reviews the recent case of Paddon and how to get maximum credit. Read her article here.
14th OCTOBER 2021: HM CORONER CONCLUDES AVOIDABLE DELAYS IN DELIVERY CAUSED OR CONTRIBUTED TO DEATH OF BABY LOUIE AND ISSUES A PREVENTION OF FUTURE DEATHS REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
The inquest into the death of baby Louie Neil Johnston concluded on 6 October 2021. Her Majesty’s Coroner for East London, Graeme Irvine, returned a critical narrative conclusion that avoidable delays in delivery caused or contributed to his death.
Louie Neil Johnston died at Queen’s Hospital, Romford, on 28th April 2020 as a result of diffuse hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, a condition caused by an inadequate supply of oxygen to the brain during his delivery on 17th April 2020.
HM Coroner found that factors which produced the delay that caused or contributed to Louie’s death included:
1. Disregard of part of a cardiotocography (CTG) trace that monitors uterine activity, which led to uterine hyperstimulation not being considered as the cause for a drop in the baby's heart rate;
2. A prolonged attempt to deliver using a ventouse cup; and
3. A sequential decision to proceed to a forceps delivery after the ventouse cup delivery failed, instead of an immediate category 1 caesarean section.
Louie’s family is represented by 2HB’s Max Mills and Chanel Dolcy of Bhatt Murphy Solicitors.
Bhatt Murphy Press Release 9/11/2021:
Coroner’s Report dated 14/10/2021:
8th OCTOBER 2021: ACQUITTAL SECURED
Following a five-day trial at Portsmouth Crown Court, Imogen Nelson secured the acquittal of her client who had been accused of aggravated burglary. The prosecution adduced recognition evidence to support their case that the accused burgled the complainants of their prescription medication at machete point. Imogen was instructed by Louise Rodaway of Wessex Solicitors.
8th OCTOBER 2021: SUCCESS IN THE COURT OF APPEAL.
Chambers’ 3rd six pupil, Andrew Judge, instructed by Wessex Solicitors, successfully appealed the sentence of a man for stalking (R. v. Patterson [2021] EWCA Crim 1475). Andrew appeared in the Crown Court for sentence where his client received 4 years’ imprisonment having pleaded guilty in the magistrates’ court. Andrew successfully applied for leave, and secured a reduction to 3 years’ imprisonment.
Andrew argued that the sentencing judge had placed insufficient weight on the defendant’s mental health conditions, and had considered the defendant’s behaviour to be more extreme than it had in fact been. The Court of Appeal, praising Andrew’s written and oral submissions, accepted that offence had been placed too high within the guidelines by the sentencing judge, and reduced the sentence accordingly.
Chambers welcomes applications from prospective 3rd six pupils, in confidence, to the Head of the Pupillage Committee Jane Osborne QC - josborne@2hb.co.uk. Successful candidates can expect a busy and varied practice with regular Crown Court trial experience and, as Andrew has proved, the occasional visit to the Court of Appeal.
18th OCTOBER 2021: 2HB MEMBERS WALKING FOR CHARITY IN THE 2021 LONDON LEGAL WALK
Another team from 2 Harcourt Buildings will be seeking to raising funds for the London Legal Support Trust which funds Law Centres and pro bono agencies in and around London. They will be walking a 10k route through central London
Please sponsor our walkers via our Virgin Money Giving page which can be found here:
11th – 17th OCTOBER 2021: 2HB MEMBERS RAISING MONEY FOR CHARITY
A team of 2 Harcourt Buildings cyclists will be raising money for the charity Breast Cancer Now by participating in the Tour de Law.
You can support them by making a donation here:
https://tourdelaw.breastcancernow.org/fundraising/2-harcourt-buildings-fundraising-page
1st OCTOBER 2021: 29 YEARS FOR GANG OF GUN DEALERS
Tim Hunter successfully prosecuted three men accused of firearms offences. After a seven-day trial in May at Southwark Crown Court, two were found guilty, the third having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing, and today all three were sentenced to a total of 29 years’ imprisonment. Their arrests followed a surveillance operation conducted by the National Crime Agency and the recovery of three illegal Baikal self-loading pistols together with suitable rounds of ammunition.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/gang-gun-dealers-jailed-29-25136143
1st OCTOBER 2021: APPOINTMENT
The Lord Chancellor has appointed Edward Franklin as a Fee-paid Employment Judge of the Employment Tribunals (England and Wales), assigned to the London South Region.
30th SEPTEMBER 2021: TWO HARCOURT BUILDINGS MEMBERS RANKED IN 2022 LEGAL 500
We are delighted to announce that 7 members of Chambers have been individually ranked in 2 different categories within the 2022 Legal 500 publication.
CRIME
Jennifer Knight QC ‘A very talented and erudite silk. Her calm yet firm demeanour instills confidence in clients from the outset of a case.’
Jane Osborne QC ‘Jane’s advocacy is persuasive and direct. She is a down-to-earth and approachable silk.’
Catherine Donnelly (Tier 2)
Tom Nicholson ‘Tom combines a calm approach with excellent client care skills. His case preparation is first-rate.’ (Tier 2)
Hugh French ‘Hugh is a very committed barrister. His advocacy is precise and measured, and he is a very effective cross-examiner. Persuasive and unflappable.’ (Tier 3)
FRAUD CRIME
Jane Osborne QC ‘She has a great courtroom presence, and demonstrates command over both the law and the facts.’
Dominic Hockley ‘A tenacious, proactive, and very sharp barrister.’ (Tier 3)
Tim Hunter ‘A junior who always demonstrates an acute grasp of his brief.’ (Tier 3)
We would like to thank those who took the time to act as referees for this process.
Legal 500 Set Profile link: 2 Harcourt Buildings
29th SEPTEMBER 2021: FORMER FOOTBALLER CONMAN SENTENCED
Having previously pleaded guilty to 17 counts of fraud, Mr Medi Abalimba was sentenced on the 29th September at Wood Green Crown Court to 4 years' and 2 months' imprisonment. Fer Chinner represented the prosecution.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/16282826/love-island-georgia-steel-ex-thierry-henry/
14th SEPTEMBER 2021: RAPE ACQUITTAL
Fer Chinner successfully defends a man charged with multiple rape offences at Kingston Crown Court. After 6 days of evidence the jury returned unanimous Not Guilty verdicts on all charges. Fer was instructed by Andrew McArthur of BBM Solicitors.
6th SEPTEMBER 2021: FORMER GP AND POLICE DOCTOR RECEIVES LIFE SENTENCE
Robert Wells, a 69 year-old former GP and police surgeon was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years today by HHJ Rennie at Hove Crown Court. Wells was sentenced for 19 offences committed against 5 victims, including multiple rapes of a 9 year-old girl and forcing an 8 year-old boy to perform sexual acts on another child while drugged. The prosecution was led by Jennifer Knight QC and Hugh French of 2HB.
20th AUGUST 2021: TEXT MESSAGE ‘SMISHING’ SCAMMER SENTENCED
John Ojakovoh successfully prosecutes Abdisalaam Dahir for large-scale text message ‘smishing’ scam. The defendant was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court to 22 months’ immediate custody.
John was instructed by the CPS Specialist Fraud Division. The case was investigated by the DCPCU (Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit) which is a specialist City of London and Metropolitan police unit.
https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/press/press-releases/enfield-student-behind-scam-texts-jailed-22-months
https://www.cps.gov.uk/cps/news/covid-19-fraudster-jailed-cyber-scam
17th AUGUST 2021: LAWCAREERS.NET CONTRIBUTION BY 2HB PUPIL
Page Nyame-Satterthwaite is currently a first six pupil at Two Harcourt Buildings. She has extensive mooting experience as both a competitor (winner of the Norman Tapp Memorial Prize 2021) and Judge at Gray’s Inn Moot competitions and placing 1st as Winner of Best International Team at the 2019 International Criminal Law Moot. She also has experience of the National Human Rights Moot, Landmark Chambers Judicial Review Moot and University of Cambridge Speed Moots.
She contributed to the Law Careers Net article reflection on lessons learned from these experiences:
https://www.lawcareers.net/Explore/Features/17082021-Mooting-opportunities-for-students
2ND AUGUST 2021: FATHER CONVICTED OF MURDERING HIS 39-DAY-OLD BABY
Jane Osborne QC secures conviction of James Clark, the father of 39-day-old Sean Clark, who was found guilty of murdering him following a four week trial at Bristol Crown Court. Baby Sean Clark had been assaulted by shaking on at least three separate occasions causing a total of 74 rib fractures and internal head and eye injuries, with the final shaking incident causing his death. James Clark will be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court in September.
27TH JULY 2021: FORMER POLICE DOCTOR CONVICTED
Jennifer Knight QC and Hugh French secured the conviction of former GP and police surgeon Robert Wells for drugging an 8 yr old boy and forcing him to perform sexual acts on another child. Robert Wells will be sentenced for offences of gross indecency with a child and attempting to make an indecent image of a child. He will be sentenced in September.
23RD JULY 2021: FORMER POLICE DOCTOR ON TRIAL FOR SEXUAL ABUSE
The trial began this week of 69 year old Robert Wells, a former GP who acted as a police-surgeon for Hampshire Constabulary, at Hove Crown Court. Wells is charged with gross indecency with a child and other offences in respect of an 8 year old boy who he drugged and took to an industrial area where he incited him to perform sexual acts on another child who was lying on a bed there, seemingly unconscious.
Jennifer Knight QC leads Hugh French for the prosecution. The trial continues.
22ND JULY 2021: 17 YEAR OLD BOY FOUND GUILTY OF MURDERING FATHER OF TWO
Paul Cavin QC, leading Michael Speak from CPS Thames and Chiltern, secures conviction of boy, aged 17, for the murder of a father, Christopher Hewitt. Mr Hewitt was set upon and stabbed to death by two teenagers (one of whom, aged 15, was cleared of murder by the jury but convicted of manslaughter) outside his sister’s home in Stevenage. Mr Hewitt later died in hospital. Sentencing of the two teenagers, together with a third teenager, aged 19, for assisting the offenders, will take place in August.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-57930896
20TH JULY 2021: TACKLING ONLINE HARM - WHAT THE EUROS 2020 TAUGHT US
Mahesh Karu discuses the Online Safety Bill and whether it is doing enough to stop online abuse in our digital age. Read his article here.
8TH JULY 2021 : ANTI-BLM AGITATOR SENTENCED FOR VIOLENT DISORDER
The successful prosecution of Alfie Hubbard for his part in anti-Black Lives Matter demonstrations during the peaceful demonstrations held in Central London last summer concluded yesterday with Mr Hubbard being sentenced at Southwark Crown Court to 2 years’ imprisonment suspended for 2 years. Fer Chinner represented the prosecution.
13TH JULY 2021: NEW ASSAULT SENTENCING GUIDELINES
2HB pupil Page Nyame-Satterthwaite reviews the new Assault Sentencing Guidelines that came into force on 1st July 2021. Read her article here.
7TH JULY 2021: BABY-SHAKING MURDER CASE OPENED AT BRISTOL CROWN COURT
Jane Osborne QC opens the case for the prosecution in a murder trial where parents, James Clark and Helen Jeremy, are accused of killing their 39-day-old baby, Sean Clark, by shaking him.
6TH JULY 2021: THE NEW NIGHT OUT? AN INSIGHT INTO COVID STATUS CERTIFICATION BY JENNY BURGESS
In the wake of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee’s report on Covid 19 status certification, Jenny Burgess provides an insight into the government’s proposed scheme. Read her article here.
2nd JULY 2021: SECTION 71 OF THE DOMESTIC ABUSE ACT 2021 - A GAME CHANGING LEGISLATIVE PROVISION OR SIMPLY THE STATUS QUO?
Jane Osborne considers whether section 71 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 effects real change, or simply maintains the status quo. Read her article here.
1st JULY 2021: FORMER NHS MANAGER CONVICTED OF FRAUD
Amy Oliver prosecutes the case of Barry Stannard, a senior NHS employee who was yesterday sent to prison for defrauding the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust and cheating the revenue. Confiscation proceedings are ongoing.
Amy is instructed by the CPS Specialist Fraud Division in this case, which was the result of a joint investigation by NHS Counter Fraud and HM Revenue & Customs.
25th JUNE 2021: MUM WHO ‘BRAVED THE SHAVE’ GUILTY OF FRAUD
A woman who ‘Braved the Shave' to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support failed to pay the donations she received to the charity for over 2 years. A jury at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court convicted her of Fraud by Abuse of Position. Dominic Hockley secured this conviction, working in partnership with EMM Legal in this private prosecution.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/debra-cole-maerdy-court-verdict-20896198.amp
22nd JUNE 2021: POLICE CONSTABLE CONVICTED OF PERVERTING THE COURSE OF JUSTICE
Kate Blumgart secures the conviction of PC Donna Coker for Perverting the Course of Justice. The police officer was based at Ealing Police Station when she was called to the scene of a road traffic accident involving one of her colleagues PC Varinder Sehmi who had caused the crash. The victim of the crash sustained serious injuries. In an attempt to cover up her colleague’s dangerous driving, PC Coker provided a false statement which suggested the victim appeared drunk. Her lies were uncovered when her bodycam footage and CCTV were reviewed. She will be sentenced at a later date.
21st JUNE 2021: MULTIPLE CONVICTIONS SECURED IN FLYING SQUAD ARMED ROBBERY CASE
Tim Hunter and William Goss secure convictions after a 4-week trial of of five defendants accused of Conspiracy to Commit Robbery and Conspiracy to Have an Imitation Firearm with Criminal Intent. The Defendants orchestrated a highly planned and meticulously executed robbery involving the use of magnetic GPS trackers. It culminated in an armed nighttime attack on the affluent victim at his home address. Numerous high-value wristwatches and large amounts of cash were stolen. The Defendants were arrested following an investigation by The Flying Squad, and the case relied predominantly on cell-site data and expert evidence. Sentencing will take place on 3rd September 2021.
15th JUNE 2021: MAKING FOOLS OF DISCRETIONARY LIFE SENTENCES
Tom Nicholson considers the poorly drafted Release of Prisoners (Alteration of Relevant Proportion of Sentence) Order 2020, in the light of much needed clarification recently provided by McWilliams [2021] EWCA Crim 745 . Read his article here.
14th JUNE 2021: To dwell or not to dwell?
2HB’s Paul Casey considers the implications of the recent Court of Appeal judgment in this case, in which he appeared for the respondent. Read his article here.
7th JUNE 2021: ‘It only takes one Pebble to start a stampede.’
A sitting Conservative MP was convicted today of permitting his dog, a Jack Russell called Pebble, to chase a large herd of fallow deer in Richmond Park. Dominic Hockley prosecuting opened saying “it’s been said that it only takes one pebble to start an avalanche. In this case it only took one Pebble to start a stampede.” The MP, Danny Kruger, was convicted and fined at the Westminster Magistrates Court by the Deputy Chief Magistrate. Dominic was instructed by the CPS Complex Casework Unit.
4th JUNE 2021: TOM NICHOLSON SECURES CONVICTIONS OF MEN FOUND WITH LOADED FIREARMS IN THEIR CAR
On 4 June 2021 at Kingston Crown Court, Tom Nicholson secured the conviction of two men for possession of firearms with intent to endanger life. The defendants had been arrested following the discovery of two loaded firearms in the back of a car in Teddington.
2nd June 2021 :
Acquittal Secured for Man Accused of s.18 Wounding
Dominic Hockley secures the acquittal of a man accused of a serious wounding. It was alleged that the accused stabbed the complainant at least 6 times with a kitchen knife. Following a successful submission by the defence, the Learned Judge sitting at Portsmouth Crown Court found there was no case to answer and accordingly directed a Not Guilty verdict. Mr Hockley was instructed by Becky Strong at Wannops LLP (formerly Rowe Sparkes).
25th May 2021: PROLIFIC DRUG DEALER CONVICTED OF ATTEMPTED MURDER BY SHOOTING
Paul Cavin QC and Sam Barker secure convictions after a 6-week trial of a prolific London drug dealer for attempted murder by shooting and multiple firearms offences. The case involved the purchase, use, and storage of multiple firearms along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Amar Bhargava was convicted by the jury at Harrow Crown Court of purchasing lethal weapons using false documentation, and of shooting an apparently innocent man sitting in a parked car on a residential street with a magnum pistol in November 2019. He was also convicted of pouring petrol over a car and shooting it with a shotgun in retaliation for a fire-bombing of his own vehicle in March 2020. Sentence will take place on 1st July 2021.
26th March 2021: MOTHER CONVICTED OF MANSLAUGHTER
Jennifer Knight QC prosecuted this case in which a mother was convicted today of the Manslaughter by gross negligence of her 4 month old baby who drowned after she left him in the bath for a significant period of time. The defendant will be sentenced in April 2021.
21st MARCH 2021: A SLAVE TO THE FACTS?
2HB’s pupil Peter Saville considers the implications of the Appeal of BTT v Regina and the importance of identifying potential victims of trafficking and exploitation at an early stage. Read his article here.
15th FEBRUARY 2021: CHAMBERS WELCOMES CHARLES DRINNAN
We are very pleased to welcome Charles Drinnan as a new member of 2HB. Charles has quickly established himself as a coveted junior barrister with a busy practice specialising in criminal and regulatory law. Read more about Charles’ practice here.
1st FEBRUARY 2021: CHAMBERS WELCOMES CATHERINE DONNELLY
We are today delighted to welcome Catherine Donnelly as a new Member of 2HB. Catherine has established a substantial criminal practice, prosecuting and defending at the highest level and is ranked by both the Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 guides. Read more about Catherine’s practice here.
15th JANUARY 2021: PE TEACHER UNANIMOUSLY ACQUITTED
Sam Barker, instructed by Wessex Solicitors, secured a unanimous acquittal at Southampton Crown Court for a 23 year old PE teacher of good character on counts of Rape and Attempted Rape. The case involved defence toxicological evidence of the effects of Ecstasy and alcohol on the memories of the complainant and two other prosecution witnesses who claimed to be witnesses to the incident.
5th JANUARY 2021: SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION OF FATHER FOR INFLICTING GRIEVOUS BODILY HARM ON NEWBORN SON
A father charged with Causing Grievous Bodily Harm having shaken his new born baby, entered a guilty plea on the first day of his trial at Worcester Crown Court. He will be sentenced later in January along with the child’s mother who pleaded guilty to Allowing Serious Harm to a Child. Jennifer Knight QC of 2 Harcourt Buildings prosecuted the case for CPS West Midlands, leading Cathlyn Orchard of No 5 Chambers.
4th JANUARY 2021: SFO PANEL APPOINTMENT & SPECIALIST PANEL SUCCESS
Chambers is pleased to announce that the Serious Fraud Office has appointed to its Panel of Counsel for 2021 - 2024:
Jane Osborne QC
John Ojakovoh - Panel A
Dominic Hockley - Panel B
Amy Oliver - Panel C and Proceeds of Crime International Assistance ‘C’ Panel
The following members were appointed to specialist prosecution panels:
Dominic Hockley: Serious Crime Group; Counter-terrorism; and Proceeds of Crime (all at Grade 3)
James Caldwell: Fraud Group (Grade 3)
22nd DECEMBER 2020: SUCCESSFUL DEFENCE IN HMRC VAT FRAUD
Following a three-week trial at Portsmouth Crown Court involving over 30,000 pages of served evidence, James Caldwell secures the acquittal of a man accused of a £310,000 VAT fraud against HMRC.
21st DECEMBER 2020: SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION IN SCISSOR STABBING MURDER
James Dawes QC successfully prosecuted a vicious scissor stabbing murder trial at Wood Green. A guilty verdict was returned and sentence will take place in the new year.
11th DECEMBER 2020: ACQUITTAL SECURED IN HAMPSHIRE’S LARGEST COCAINE SEIZURE
Tom Nicholson represented a man charged with conspiring to supply Class A drugs following the largest cocaine seizure Hampshire has encountered.
After a three week trial, his client was acquitted by the jury.
10th DECEMBER 2020: SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION OF LARGE-SCALE DRUGS IMPORTATION
Edward Franklin of 2 Harcourt Buildings successfully prosecuted Ajah Onuchukwu who was convicted on 10th December 2020 of conspiring to import over 210 kg of heroin, cocaine and cannabis over a period of nine years. After arrest in 2015 he escaped to Holland before being returned to the UK under a European Arrest Warrant in 2018. The case was investigated by the National Crime Agency and prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service.
10th December 2020: CONGRATULATIONS TO 2HB MEMBERS ON PANEL MEMBERSHIPS AND UPGRADES
2HB is very pleased to announce that:
Nick Alexander is now a CPS Advocate Panel Member, level 4
Jenny Burgess is now a member of the Rape and Child Sexual Abuse Specialist Panel
James Caldwell is now a CPS Advocate Panel Member, level 3
Imogen Nelson is now a a CPS Advocate Panel Member, level 3
23rd November 2020: DEMONSTRATOR WHO KICKED POLICEMAN CONVICTED
Fer Chinner prosecuted a man charged with violent disorder arising from demonstrations following the global BLM marches this summer. The case was heard today at Prospero House, sitting as a ‘Nightingale Court’ for Southwark Crown Court.
TWO HARCOURT BUILDINGS MEMBERS RANKED IN 2021 CHAMBERS AND PARTNERS
We are delighted to announce that 8 members of Chambers have been individually ranked in the Crime and Financial Crime categories within the 2021 edition of Chambers and Partners UK.
CRIME
Paul Cavin QC; "Laid back but can go for the jugular when he has to."
James Dawes QC; "A very well-prepared advocate and a skilled prosecutor. He leaves no stone unturned."
Jennifer Knight QC; "She is excellent."
Timothy Hunter; "A very robust advocate" who has "sound judgement."
Emilie Morrison; "Calm, easy to work with and someone with good judgement."
Leo Seelig; "An extremely bright young barrister who is very hard-working. He's a good jury advocate and judges like him."
Christopher Stimpson; "Has a really good insight into how the prosecution works and how to respond accordingly from a defence perspective."
FINANCIAL CRIME
Jane Osborne - Strengths: "A talented jury advocate."
We would like to thank those who took the time to act as referees for this process.
1 OCTOBER 2020 - TWO HARCOURT BUILDINGS MEMBERS RANKED IN 2021 LEGAL 500
We are delighted to announce that 7 members of Chambers have been individually ranked in 3 different categories within the 2021 Legal 500 publication.
CRIME
Jennifer Knight QC ‘She is an impressive prosecutor of sexual offences and I am not surprised to see she was appointed Queen's Counsel this year. She combines forensic acumen with persuasive charm.’
Jane Osborne QC ‘Her attention to detail and client care skills are incredible.’
Tom Nicholson ‘Calm, measured and persuasive advocacy with a dry sense of humour. Determined to provide the best support both in and out of court. Utterly dependable in preparation and paperwork which is always of a high quality and can be relied upon as strong in law and content. A very jury-friendly barrister.’
Hugh French ‘Hugh is a model barrister in that he combines diligence, competence and thoughtfulness. When prosecuting he is fair and reasonable, which in turn makes him very effective as he maintains the trust of the court and jury. A tenacious cross-examiner.’
Leo Seelig ‘Very bright, with a calm and compelling court manner. A classic cross-examination style which was very effective.’
FRAUD CRIME
Jane Osborne QC ‘A firm but fair fraud prosecutor with an eye for detail and a reassuring manner. She is a commanding, jury-friendly silk who stands her ground.’
Dominic Hockley ‘He is very responsive - his work ethic and turnaround times are excellent. He is also an excellent advocate; really top-notch. He also clearly knows how to pitch things to the judge, and got a result which was pretty incredible.’
Frederick Hookway ‘He is meticulous and will know the papers inside out. The extent of his preparation is impressive and he will never be caught under prepared.’
PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINARY AND REGULATORY LAW
Frederick Hookway ‘He has excellent client care and an in-depth knowledge of regulatory law. This combination of skills and knowledge has proven to achieve remarkable results for clients.’
We would like to thank those who took the time to act as referees for this process.
15th JUNE 2020: CHAMBERS WELCOMES JOHN OJAKOVOH
Chambers is delighted to welcome John Ojakovoh as a new member. John comes to us with an established reputation as a specialist in white-collar, cyber and organised crime. More details of John’s practice and experience can be found here.
28th MAY 2020: WHY DO SO FEW RAPES RESULT IN A CONVICTION?
In a recent opinion piece Jennifer Knight QC considers why at a time when sexual offending has perhaps never been more widely recognised and reported, convictions have hit an all-time low. Read her article in Al Jazeera here.
26th MAY 2020: THE SOCIAL MEDIA WEAPON
Before the lockdown in March, criminal practitioners were anticipating the publication of CPS guidance on the use of social media and the glamorisation of gang lifestyle and the use of weapons as evidence. Read the article published in the New Law Journal by Mahesh Karu and Sailesh Mehta here.
26th MAY 2020: REVIEWING CASES IN THE CORONAVIRUS ERA
Jennifer Knight QC and Mahesh Karu consider why there has never been a more important time to review your cases. Read their article here.
3rd APRIL 2020: CORONAVIRUS AND CRIMINAL OFFENCES
2 HB’s pupils Kitty Kirton and Adam Slack review the new offences created by last week’s Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020. Read their article here.
20th JANUARY 2020: THE RES GESTAE EXCEPTION
What happens when a witness sought to be relied upon by the prosecution does not attend court to give evidence? Chambers' pupil Kitty Kirton considers the res gestae exception to hearsay evidence and how evidence can be admitted where the witness does not attend.
Read her article here.
11th DECEMBER 2019: NOTES FROM A VERY SMALL ISLAND
Thoughts turn to Christmas on St Helena, catch the latest from Duncan Cooke here.
5th NOVEMBER 2019: NOTES FROM A VERY SMALL ISLAND
In this month’s blog Duncan Cooke reflects on the delights and difficulties of life in one of the most remote places in the world.
27th SEPTEMBER 2019: THE LEGAL 500
Chambers is very pleased to congratulate members who have been ranked in General Crime, Financial Crime and Professional Discipline in the Legal 500 2020. Jennifer Knight, Tom Nicholson and Leo Seelig are all ranked in General Crime at band 3, along with Jane Osborne who is also ranked at band 3 in Financial Crime. Frederick Hookway and Dominic Hockley are ranked in bands 3 and 4 in Financial Crime, and Frederick Hookway is also ranked at band 4 in Professional Discipline.
11 SEPTEMBER 2019 FRAUD AND FINANCIAL CRIME
Members of Two Harcourt Buildings will be speaking at the London Fraud and Financial Crime Essential Update Conference at Conway Hall on Wednesday 23 October 2019. Jane Osborne will cover the topic ‘Conspiracy and agreements in financial crime’; Leo Seelig will speak about ‘Understanding search warrants’; and James Dawes QC will present a session on ‘International evidence and enquiries’. Further information and booking details can be found here.
10th SEPTEMBER 2019: SHUB BANERJEE APPOINTED AS A RECORDER
Chambers is delighted to announce that Shub Banerjee has been appointed as a Recorder on the South Eastern Circuit, Family Division, with effect from 16th September 2019.
5th SEPTEMBER 2019: NOTES FROM A VERY SMALL ISLAND
2HB’s Duncan Cooke, currently serving as Public Solicitor in St Helena, provides a mid-Atlantic perspective on discontent. Take a break from Brexit with his latest blog.
24th JULY 2019: VICE PRESIDENT OF MULTI-NATIONAL BANK ACQUITTED
Chris Stimpson secures the acquittal of a vice president of a multi-national investment bank who was accused of two counts of rape after the complainant said she blacked out in his Chelsea home.
23rd JULY 2019: NOTES FROM A VERY SMALL ISLAND
It may be 32 degrees here, but in St Helena winter has arrived and with it the Queen’s birthday. Catch up with our Atlantic correspondent Duncan Cooke here.
19th JULY 2019: NEW CODE FOR PRIVATE PROSECUTORS
The First Edition of the Code for Private Prosecutors has now been published by the Private Prosecutors’ Association (PPA). Along with other members of the PPA, joint Head of Chambers Paul Cavin QC assisted with the drafting of the new guidance. The code, which sets the precedence for best practice, can be found here.
15th JULY 2019: ORGANISED CRIME GROUP CONVICTED
Following a 6 week trial at Harrow Crown Court, Peter Clement and Fer Chinner secure convictions against 5 members of an organised crime group who have been jailed for over 50 years. The Defendants were found guilty of kidnap and pouring acid over their victim.
News coverage can be read here.
15th JULY 2019: MULTI-MILLION POUND BOGUS MEDICATION FRAUDSTER JAILED
After what was described as a ‘hugely complex case’, Edward Cohen was sentenced to 9 years and 9 months imprisonment for selling fake viagra and slimming pills online while laundering in excess of £10m of illicit gains through religious charities. James Dawes QC led Jenny Burgess throughout the 3 month trial for the Prosecution.
News coverage can be read here.
11th JULY 2019: FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING CONVICTIONS
Following a 6 week Trial, four defendants have today been convicted for fraud and money laundering offences. Accounts payable clerk Daniel Miller defrauded his employers AllSaints of over $564,000 by using his co-conspirators companies to launder money. Jennifer Knight leading Edward Franklin appeared for the Prosecution.
17th MAY 2019: MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK 2019
Over the course of this week, 2HB has been discussing the ways barristers can manage their mental health and support others. Natalia Constantine considers how to stop life at the bar becoming a bar to life.
Read her article here.
15th MAY 2019: NOTES FROM A VERY SMALL ISLAND
Read the 2nd of Duncan Cooke’s despatches here, for an escape into tropical life, where potatoes are gifts and a nature of positivity and cheeriness pervades.
2nd MAY 2019: BIGGEST ‘VISHING’ FRAUD IN UK HISTORY CONCLUDES
Feezan Choudhary, a conman who was jailed in 2016 for 11 years, scammed bank customers out of £113m in the UK’s biggest ever cyber fraud, while spending the proceeds on a lavish lifestyle. He appeared at Southwark Crown Court today for Confiscation proceedings. Edward Franklin represented the Prosecution.
News coverage can be read here.
8th APRIL 2019: “RED RIBBON KILLER OF HASTINGS” SENTENCED
A predatory teenage paedophile who kept a ‘murder manual’ of his intended victims has today been sentenced to eight years in jail after being found guilty of raping a 15 year old girl. Harry Leigh made detailed plans to kill 30 young girls and to leave red ribbons by their bodies. Heather Stangoe appeared for the Prosecution.
News coverage can be read here.
22nd MARCH 2019: FATHER JAILED FOR SHAKEN-BABY KILLING
Christopher Barnes was today sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison after being found guilty of manslaughter and grievous bodily harm after shaking his 10 week old son to death. Jennifer Knight leading Imogen Nelson appeared for the Prosecution.
The BBC news article can be read here.
19th MARCH 2019: NOTES FROM A VERY SMALL ISLAND
Following his appointment as the Public Solicitor for the island of St Helena last year, read the first of Duncan Cooke’s mid-Atlantic despatches here.
14th MARCH 2019: DETECTIVES FOUND GUILTY
Two ‘lazy Detectives’ who dropped child abuse investigations to enjoy a romantic evening together have been found guilty of Misconduct in Public Office at the Old Bailey. Sharon Patterson and Lee Pollard forged documents to conceal evidence in an effort to convince bosses to take no further action against suspects. Leo Seelig appeared for the Prosecution.
The BBC news article can be read here.
13th MARCH 2019: CONVICTIONS FOR LARGEST EVER AMMUNITIONS BUST
A former German soldier has been convicted in one of the Metropolitan Police’s largest ever investigations. Manfred Kurz, 61, supplied thousands of rounds of ammunition and explosives to London’s underworld. Kurz’s niece and other co-conspirators were also convicted. Mark Gadsden and Leo Seelig appeared for the Prosecution.
News coverage can be read here.
13th MARCH 2019: KILLERS SENTENCED AT THE OLD BAILEY
Today two teenage brothers were convicted of murder and jailed for life, with a minimum 15 year tariff. Their cousin who was also convicted will serve 13 years for manslaughter. Paul Cavin QC led the Prosecution.
The BBC news article can be read here.
25th FEBRUARY 2019: TREASON DOTH NEVER PROSPER
As The Home Secretary Sajid Javid announces his intention to consider re-drafting the Treason Act to prosecute returning IS fighters, 2 Harcourt Buildings’ pupil Mahesh Karu takes a look at this ancient law.
Read his article here.
22nd FEBRUARY 2019: DO THEY STAY OR DO THEY GO?
The Justice Secretary David Gauke announced a ban on custodial sentences of less than 6 months this week. 2 Harcourt Buildings’ pupil Natalia Constantine considers the likely impact of his new plan.
Read her article here.
18th FEBRUARY 2019: PROLIFIC MONEY LAUNDERER CONVICTED
Kazeem Akinwale was today convicted after a National Crime Agency investigation discovered he had laundered in excess of £6m and was considered a ‘prolific g0-to money launderer for fraudsters across the world’. Rupert Kent leading Frederick Hookway appeared for the Prosecution.
The NCA news article can be read here.
29th JANUARY 2019: FORMER LABOUR MP SENTENCED
Former Labour MP Fiona Onasanya was sentenced to 3 months imprisonment at the Old Bailey today for perverting the course of justice. She is the first MP to be imprisoned for 28 years. Tim Hunter was Junior Counsel for the Crown.
The BBC news article can be read here.
1st JANUARY 2019: A NEW YEAR, A NEW SENTENCE
The Law Commission’s proposed Sentencing Code was published at the end of November 2018, 2 Harcourt Buildings’ pupil Max Mills suggests its enactment should be a matter of priority for Parliament in 2019.
Read his article here.
14th NOVEMBER 2018: WHEN GROSS NEGLIGENCE EQUALS MANSLAUGHTER
In the wake of new sentencing guidelines on manslaughter coming into force on 1.11.18, 2 Harcourt Buildings’ pupil Bill Goss considers their impact on gross negligence manslaughter.
Read his article here.
24th SEPTEMBER 2018: ‘COUNTY LINES’ DRUGS NETWORK SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTED
James Brown and Leo Seelig secure the successful conviction of five London drug dealers who were sentenced to a total of 36 years’ imprisonment at Wood Green Crown Court for their part in Supplying Class A Drugs. Through intimidation and violence, the gang expanded their network into new markets in what would become a very profitable and lucrative business. This brings the total number of county line prosecutions to over 50 this year. The CPS article can be read here.
14th SEPTEMBER 2018: SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION IN HIGH PROFILE BOILER ROOM FRAUD
Jane Osborne and Rupert Kent uccessfully secured the conviction of four men who were found guilty of masterminding a carbon credit scheme worth £2.4m. The men were Sentenced to 12 years and 8 months imprisonment. The City of London Police article can be rear here.
10th SEPTEMBER 2018: MOTHER CONVICTED ON 2 COUNTS OF ABDUCTION
Jennifer Knight successfully concludes the prosecution of a British woman for abducting her two daughters, taking them to Alaska without the knowledge or consent of their father and in contravention of a court order. The BBC News Article can be read here.
21st AUGUST 2018: CONMAN CONVICTED IN HIGH VALUE FRAUD
Jane Osborne successfully secures the conviction of Kiran Trivedi who was sentenced to 6 years and 8 months imprisonment at Guildford Crown Court. Mr Trivedi persuaded a close friend to transfer over £750,000 of savings, purporting to be an experienced investor on the Indian stock market. Rather than investing the money, Mr Trivedi lived a lavish life style, spending the proceeds on luxury accommodation, first class travel and expensive restaurants. Mr Trivedi was convicted and sentenced in his absence.
8th August 2018: SUCCESSFUL DEFENCE BY CHAMBERS PUPILS
Natalia Constantine represented 'D', who faced their sixteenth conviction for driving whilst disqualified today. Despite the Court refusing to adjourn the matter for reports and with the defendant having a long history of mental illness, Natalia achieved a 12 week suspended sentence for her client.
Mahesh Karu successfully represented 'R', who faced allegations of racially aggravated assault and assault by beating against another parent, outside their children's school. Following a half-day Trial, including evidence from an eye-witness, Mahesh secured acquittals on both charges.
Both Natalia and Mahesh were instructed by Boothroyds Solicitors.
25th July 2018: SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION OF ABUSIVE PARENTS
Jennifer Knight leading Imogen Nelson secure the conviction of the parents of a 3 week old baby on charges of Causing or Allowing Serious Injury. Both defendants were sentenced to 8 years imprisonment. The BBC News article can be read here.
20th July 2018: £1.2m CRYPTOCURRENCY SEIZURE
Leo Seelig appears for the prosecution in the first case of its kind to seize and restrain over £1.2m worth of Bitcoins. The Sky News article can be read here.
2 JULY 2018: CAUSING OR ALLOWING SERIOUS INJURY
Jennifer Knight leading Imogen Nelson opened the case to the jury today at Maidstone Crown Court in a trial charging two defendants with Causing or Allowing Serious Injury to their new born son. The Kent Online report can be read here.
4 MAY 2018: PROSECUTION SUCCESS FOR DUNCAN COOKE
Duncan Cooke successfully prosecuted on behalf of the CPS in a case which resulted in 13 years imprisonment for the perpetrator. The Met Police report can be read here.
23 MARCH 2018: TOM TRACY BOXING IN QUEENSBURY LEGAL II
Best of luck to our clerk Tom Tracy for his match this evening at the Queensbury Legal Boxing Match.
13 MARCH 2018: REGULATORY SEMINAR AT THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF NURSING
Frederick Hookway, Dominic Hockley and Emilie Morrison deliver a seminar to the regulatory team at the Royal College of Nursing covering recent legal developments in the areas of sanction, dishonesty and registration/restoration. If you are interested in organising a seminar in a similar area please contact Dominic Hockley.
9 MARCH 2018: SUCCESSFUL DEFENCE AT UNIVERSITY DISCIPLINARY TRIBUNAL
Dominic Hockley represented a student at a disciplinary hearing at the University of Sussex who faced allegations of violent misconduct, aggressive behaviour and offensive language. The conduct was capable of resulting in exclusion or suspension, but Dominic Hockley was able to persuade the Panel to permit the student to conclude her studies with a written warning.
7 MARCH 2018: MEDWAY SECURE TRAINING CENTRE PROSECUTION
Jennifer Knight and Edward Franklin await verdicts in a trial arising from an undercover investigation conducted by Panorama at Medway Secure Training Centre. The BBC report on the case can be read here.
27 FEBRUARY 2018: TUI PRIVATE PROSECUTION
Tim Hunter appears at Derby Magistrates Court on behalf of TUI (Thomson) for sentencing in the case of Roberts and Muzoka, a private prosecution brought by TUI surrounding fraudulent claims to compensation following TUI holidays. The Telegraph report on the case can be read here.
26 FEBRUARY 2018: PAUL CAVIN QC & JAMES DAWES QC SWORN IN AS SILKS
Congratulations to Paul Cavin QC and James Dawes QC on their recent silks appointments. Their swearing in ceremony will take place today.
16 FEBRUARY 2018: CONVICTIONS IN CHILD CRUELTY CASE
Heather Stangoe secures convictions of both defendants on counts of causing or allowing serious physical harm to a child and child cruelty at Maidstone Crown Court. The BBC report on the case can be read here.
8 FEBRUARY 2018: CONVICTIONS IN NINE-HANDED CONSPIRACY CASE
Tom Nicholson secures convictions in a nine-handed conspiracy to supply class A at Woolwich Crown Court. The case involved the largest ever deployment of prison telephone recordings.
1 FEBRUARY 2018: 2HB MEMBERS APPOINTED AS CIRCUIT JUDGES
Congratulations to HHJ Benedict Kelleher and HHJ Hannah Duncan who have been appointed as circuit judges. HHJ Benedict Kelleher will sit at Inner London Crown Court and HHJ Hannah Duncan will sit at Isleworth Crown Court. It is believed that HHJ Hannah Duncan is the youngest circuit court judge in the history of the English bench.
26 JANUARY 2018: TERROR RELATED SENTENCING
Iftikhar Ali, a nineteen year old who was convicted in December 2017 of 13 terror-related charges is sentenced today at the Old Bailey to 3.5 years custody. Mark Paltenghi appeared on behalf of the Crown throughout proceedings. The BBC report on the case can be read here.
21 DECEMBER 2017: SENTENCING IN HISTORICAL SEX ABUSE CASE
Andrew Soper, the 74-year-old former Abbot of Ealing Abbey, was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment today having been convicted following a trial on 19 counts of rape and other sexual offences in respect of 10 complainants who were pupils at St Benedict’s School, Ealing, in the 1970s and 80s. Andrew Soper, formerly known as Father Laurence, was extradited from Kosovo where he fled, having failed to answer his bail in 2011. Gill Etherton QC, Jennifer Knight and Emilie Morrison appeared for the Crown throughout. The Guardian report on the case can be read here.