Stuart undertakes criminal defence and prosecution work.

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He has defended in a wide range of cases, including section 18 GBHs, Fraud, trading standards infringements, aggravated burglaries, knifepoint robberies, violent disorder, indecent images, and violence including threats to kill. Stuart has a successful appellate practice and has had his cases referenced in Blackstones. Stuart defends in POCA proceedings and complex VAT/excise frauds.

Stuart has particular experience of football disorder and defending against the imposition of Football Banning Orders. As well as representing private individuals Stuart has appeared on behalf of many fan support groups and travels across the country to represent fans in both Criminal cases and civil orders.

Before his independent practice Stuart worked as a litigator and clerk, working on several multi-handed murders. Stuart has particular experience of considering pathological evidence. Stuart has successfully prosecuted and defended in a number of cases involving expert evidence and the consideration and cross examining of experts, including private driving, cell site, and medical causation evidence.

Stuart is currently a Level 3 Panel Advocate for the CPS, and his casework includes specialist experience in domestic violence prosecution and advice. Stuart is also regularly instructed by the serious fraud division to deal with revenue, benefit and complex fraud cases. Stuart has experience advancing special hardship arguments to retain driving licences and has been sought to give advice on a variety of matters relating to driving law.

In addition to crime and associated matters, Stuart also regularly appears for quasi-criminal and regulatory matters including contested Football Banning Orders and Sexual Risk Orders. He is noted by solicitors for fiercely defending clients and for his intelligent application of the law to achieve desired results, particularly in undermining improperly investigated or prosecuted cases.

Qualifications

LLB Law (hons) Warwick: 2:1

Professional Associations

Young Legal Aid Lawyers

Middle Temple Young Barristers’ Association

Notable Cases

Drugs

R v C – Defendant acquitted by jury of Class A possession with intent, despite fingerprint evidence and a history of previous cocaine dealing.

R v N – Prosecution of a large-scale cannabis production operation involving hidden compartments/rooms and camouflaged surveillance equipment.

Violence 

R v H – High-profile domestic abuse case requiring careful management of press and victim’s rights before the Old Bailey.

R v K – Aggravated knife point burglary warranting upwards of 10 years in custody. Successfully argued against the extension of the sentence on the grounds of ‘dangerousness’.

R v A & A – Section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent. Required consideration of phone evidence and medical analysis/examination as to causation and injury. 

R v RSecured Acquittal by jury of threats to kill, actual bodily harm and further domestic assaults, defendant had significant previous convictions for domestic violence and Crown had injury photographs and recent complaint evidence. 

R v CWitness Intimidation trial before Reading Crown Court. Despite severity of charge the defendant received a suspended sentence. 

Dishonesty 

R v CLarge-scale Proceeds of Crime Act (£500,000 +) proceedings relating to trademark infringement and evasion of income tax.

R v N et al 21 Count fraud indictment including use of false trademarks and targeting of vulnerable victims before Lincoln Crown Court.

R v BDefendant acquitted of burglary by jury despite DNA evidence linking him to the scene.

R v S – Businessman accused of multiple fraud offences as well as VAT evasion acquitted of all fraud counts at trial.

Driving

R v B – Successfully argued for retention of a license on the grounds of special hardship due to financial responsibilities.

R v L – 2 day driving trial considering the veracity of experts and scientific/engineering evidence.

Public Disorder

R v K – Multi-handed affray involving weapons and a knifepoint robbery.

R v C, M and others – case dismissed at half time following successful exclusion of entirety of Crown’s video evidence.

R v R, S and others9 handed football public disorder dismissed at half time following in depth legal argument and criticism of charging decisions.

R v SCase stayed as an abuse of process after investigation of unused served at trial revealed a witness the Crown had failed to investigate or disclose

R v CLarge-scale Proceeds of Crime Act (£500,000 +) proceedings relating to trademark infringement and evasion of income tax.

R v H, J and J – Large violent disorder targeting police involving a helicopter chase and an assault on officers with petrol.

Reported Cases

R v MSuccessfully appealed the imposition of a mandatory 3-year sentence followed a third consecutive burglary. Court of Appeal overturned the imposition of the mandatory minimum and replaced with a suspended sentence. Current leading case on this point.

R v A – 15 month sentence reduced by a quarter after successful appeal and application of surrounding case law in a case of perverting the course of justice.

R v R – Successfully reduced a sentence for knife possession below 12 Month threshold.