Dere Street Barristers

Criminal Law

Liam is an experienced criminal practitioner with a record of prosecuting and defending those accused of serious criminal offences ranging from complex fraud to serious violence.

Liam is a former Amicus intern and once spent seven months in Asheville, North Carolina working with defence attorneys in capital punishment cases.

Notable Cases

R v Smallman (Teesside) – Lone Prosecution Counsel in complex fraud involving thirty-one complainants. Defendant convicted after a four-week trial, sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and made the subject of a Serious Crime Prevention Order.  A media report of the case can be found here.

R v A (Leeds) – Instructed on behalf of violent recidivist accused of unlawful wounding with intent. Defendant acquitted after trial.

R v Harkness & Richardson (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) – Prosecution Counsel at trial and on appeal in well planned armed robbery of a busy hair salon. Both defendants convicted, one after trial. Conviction and sentences of 9 and 10 years’ imprisonment upheld by the Court of Appeal.

R v P (Teesside) – Instructed on behalf of defendant accused of assault by penetration. Acquitted after trial.

R v W (Teesside) – Instructed on behalf of sex worker accused of robbing complainant she alleged was an unsatisfied former customer.  A media report of the case can be found here.

R v Gosley-Shaw (York) – Instructed to prosecute defendant accused of stealing her 89-year-old grandmother’s life savings. Secured conviction of defendant after trial.  A media report of the case can be found here.

Criminal Bar Association

North Eastern Circuit

The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple

2008    LLM in Advanced Legal Practice, Northumbria University

2007    Bar Vocational Course, Northumbria University (Outstanding)

2005    LLB (Hons) 2:1, University of Liverpool