36 Crime
King’s Counsel specialising in criminal law. Defending and Prosecuting on the Midland and South Eastern circuits and in the Court of Appeal. Instructed in the most serious, high-profile and often multi-handed cases, involving murder, firearms, conspiracy, fraud and cybercrime. A trial strategist, dedicated to the forensic analysis of evidence and passionate about the in-court examination of witnesses.
Recent cases
R v Singh (2024 Leicester) – Murder. Defending man of good character accused of murdering (smothering) his elderly mother and then digging a shallow grave in which to hide her body. His defences at trial were total denial, alternatively diminished responsibility (delusional disorder) supported by oral evidence from three psychiatrists.
R v JG & others (2024 Reading) – Murder & Attempted Murder. Prosecuting four Defendants (including 17-year old main offender) for machete murder and attempted murder of two 17-year old boys involved in rival county lines class A drugs operation in High Wycombe. Further allegation of s.18 Wounding with Intent (improvised weapon used against fellow inmate whilst main offender remanded in custody at HMP Bullingdon). Main offender convicted of Conspiracy to Rob, Murder, Attempted Murder and s.18. Other offenders convicted of Conspiracy to Rob, one of Manslaughter and a fifth Defendant for Assisting an Offender and drugs offences.
R v KDB (Nottingham 2024) – Murder. Prosecuting the Christmas Day knife murder trial of a 29-year old man by a 17-year old youth with whom he had had a minor disagreement in a nearby underpass. The stabbing had occurred in public near a busy road junction in Nottingham.
R v Newman (2024 Derby) – Murder, s.18 & Attempted s.18. Newman, in revenge, drove a 3-tonne van into a crowd of people enjoying a Christmas night out in Ilkeston town square in 2023. He killed one man and injured two others. Convicted after 3-week trial.
R v Brown (2024 Luton) – Murder. Prosecuting. Defendant convicted of Murder having beaten to death a sex worker in his own flat. After murdering the Deceased, the Defendant then hid her body – in his flat and then in his car – for 5 days before taking her to a quiet country lane where he set fire to her to destroy the body.
R v Basson (2024 Leicester) – Murder & firearms offences. Prosecuting 2-week trial before Mr Justice Martin Spencer. Defendant was convicted of Murder: Having fatally shot his girlfriend in the head at close range (with an illegally held semi-automatic handgun) he then falsely claimed accident.
Called (1993);
Head of Criminal Team, 36 Bedford Row (2011-2014);
KC (2013);
Panel Chair, Bar Tribunal & Adjudication Service (2019-present).
Areas of experience:
Serious & Complex Crime Cybercrime Professional Misconduct & Disciplinary Financial Crime Homicide Serious Sexual Offences
Criminal Bar Association;
Midland & South-Eastern Circuits;
CEDR Mediator.
Eton College; University of Durham (1984-85 BA Hons Anthropology (2:2)); Polytechnic of Central London (1991-92 CPE (pass with commendation)); Inns of Court School of Law (1992-93 BVC (outstanding)).
Durham University;
Army Officer;
Polytechnic of Central London (CPE);
Inns of Court School of Law (Winner: Evered Ver Heyden Foundation Advocacy prize).