Charles qualified 30 years ago and has been practising exclusively in crime ever since. He has had conduct of thousands of cases and has built a reputation as an approachable, fair and honest lawyer. Above all, however, he is an effective trial advocate with an enviable record.

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Charles’ practice extends across the full calendar of crime with an emphasis on sexual offences, serious organised crime (armed robbery, drugs importation/supply and money laundering), violent crime, fraud, bribery and corruption.  Since the post-Savile explosion in historic sexual offences he has been instructed in a multitude of such cases which have, accordingly, made up the majority of his caseload and continue to do so.

Over the years he has repeatedly demonstrated a sensitive approach to and understanding of such cases, which both his clients and juries find appealing.

Charles is experienced in all aspects of appellate work, including applications to the Court of Appeal (both on paper and renewed, orally, if necessary) and judicial review in the Administrative Court.
He has also appeared before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in pro bono Jamaican murder appeals. He has been formally commended for his prosecution of a major series of arms importation.

Charles is appointed to the CPS Advocate Panel at Level 4 and is a CPS specialist rape prosecutor.

Notable Cases

Operation Pulex – Defending a 14-handed conspiracy to import 100kg of cocaine through Heathrow with the assistance of corrupt baggage handlers. N acquitted with one other

R v A and others – Defending in conspiracy to bribe in European tendering competition. Ongoing

R v R – Prosecuting a police officer accused of raping his very young daughter and providing her to fellow paedophiles.

R v A and Others – Defending a multi-handed courier fraud. Acquitted

R v L – Prosecuting an acupuncturist who raped and sexually assaulted three clients. Plea

R v John Eric Clark – Prosecuting a private school master for historic sexual offences in the 1970. The sentence of 20 years was upheld in the Court of Appeal. Convicted

R v T & Others – Prosecuting the 4 robbers who beat a law lecturer on his doorstep so badly he was unrecognisable. The sentence of 20 years were upheld by the Court of Appeal. Pleas

Operation Doublecheck – Prosecution of multi-handed importation of a significant quantity of cannabis. Convicted

Operation Lunate I and II – Leading prosecution counsel in a multi-handed conspiracy to launder the proceeds of crime. Mixed pleas/convictions

Operation Battlecreek – Defending money-laundering conspiracy running to £1/2 bn. Plea, non-custodial sentence

Operation Gresham – Leading prosecution counsel in an 11 handed conspiracy to steal and burgle. Pleas

Operation Lima – Prosecuting multi-handed conspiracy to commit huge number of burglaries. Pleas

Operation Lath – Leading counsel defending in an Eastern European Zeus Trojan banking fraud conspiracy. Plea

R v D – Defending serial night-time stranger sexual assaults/attempted rape of vulnerable women across South London, prosecuted by the Murder squad due to its seriousness. Plea

R v T & Others – Defending (murder) perverting the course of justice.
Plea: 40 hours unpaid work

R v T – Prosecuting an identity card factory serving the Albanian underworld involving 4000+ identities. Plea

R v K – Defending in multi-handed rapes of prostitutes. Plea

R v A-F & Others – Leading counsel defending in a conspiracy to defraud insurance companies. Plea, community penalty

R v B & Others – Leading counsel defending in a conspiracy to defraud the MOD at the Devonport submarine facility re-fit. Acquitted

R v D & Others – “Silk and Lace” defending in six handed conspiracy to control prostitutes. Acquitted

Operation Encino – Leading counsel prosecuting in two trials involving large-scale importation of guns from Lithuania. 7 defendants, 1 acquitted

R v G & Others – Leading counsel defending in a corruption case involving the MOD housing executive in Kent. Case stayed as an abuse of process

R v R & J – Leading counsel prosecuting a rostering and ghost employee fraud by managers of Railtrack. Pleas

Sexual Offences: Recent Defence Cases

R v P 2017 (Canterbury) – Alleged rape of fellow student. Acquitted

R v K 2017 (Basildon) – Alleged sexual assault. Acquitted

R v W 2017 (Stafford) – Alleged sexual assault of two very young nephews. Acquitted

R v P 2017 (Croydon) – Alleged historic multiple rape of cousin. Acquitted

R v S 2017 (Cambridge) – Alleged rape at a festival. Acquitted

R v W 2016 (Woolwich) – Alleged post-club rape. Acquitted

R v D 2016 (St Albans) – Alleged exposure. Acquitted

R v W 2016 (Chelmsford) – Alleged rape. Hung jury, subsequently acquitted

R v K-K 2016 (Nottingham) – Alleged domestic rape. Acquitted

R v S 2016 (Reading) – Alleged multiple rape of young boy neighbour by teenager. Acquitted

R v G 2016 (Aylesbury) – Sexual assault of 2 young girls. Convicted, sentence reduced on appeal

R v M 2016 (Southend) – Sexual assault of 2 young nieces. Acquitted

R v S 2016 (Chester) – Alleged historic rape and sexual assault of step-daughter and her friend. Acquitted

R v E 2015 (Oxford) – Alleged historic indecent assaults on 2 children. Acquitted

R v McH 2014 (Croydon)- Alleged rape of prostitute by her minder. Acquitted

R v F 2014 (Maidstone) – Alleged historic rape of wife. Acquitted

Reported Cases

R v G [2017] – successful appeal against sentence

R v John Eric Clark [2016] – part of the consolidated case of Forbes and others

R v Drew & Others (“Silk and Lace”) unreported, December 2006
First instance decision by HHJ Rivlin regarding the meaning of “control” in this test case prosecution for controlling prostitutes subsequently affirmed in subsequent Court of Appeal decisions.

R v Clarke (Court of Appeal) 13 Cr. App. R. (S.) 640 The extent to which racist words and behaviour accompanying an offence aggravate that offence.

DPP v Charles (Queen’s Bench Division) [1996] R.T.R 247. Breath specimen procedure appeal by the Crown in the Divisional Court on a technical point arising from the Warren case.

He is a distinguished, charming jury advocate who has the ability to simplify and present the most complex case for the benefit of both your client and the jury. Charles puts the most nervous and apprehensive clients at ease with a calm and knowledgeable attitude. Charles’ persuasive arguments have saved numerous defendants their liberty.” (Legal 500, 2021)

His closing speeches are something to behold.” (Legal 500, 2020)

Well prepared, measured and calm.” (Legal 500, 2019)

Qualifications

LLB (Hons.)

Direct access qualified

Professional Associations

Criminal Bar Association

South Eastern Circuit