15NBS Chambers

Helen’s client was charged with raping his former partner and then confessing in WhatsApp messages sent the following day. There was also medical evidence which the Prosecution relied upon in support of the allegation. The issue was one of consent. The jury unanimously acquitted Helen’s client. Helen Dawson was instructed by…

Beth’s client was charged with raping his wife twice in the same night. The defence argued that the complainant had fabricated the allegations due to arguments over the couple separating and rights to the house. It was alleged that she had repeatedly lied to the police and other professionals, withheld…

18 days after he had finished his licence period from a 9 year sentence for rape, predatory rapist Michael Chand struck again. He met his new victim at the bus stop outside Wood Green Crown Court. He got her number and a few days later invited her to his place…

Dominic Benthall’s client was a pre-eminent figure in the world of academia, accused of possessing a number of IIOC on two computer devices. Through detailed cross-examination of the prosecution’s forensic computing expert, Dominic was able to demonstrate that the Crown could not prove that his client was in possession of…

Beth and Clodaghmuire represented 2 brothers who had been charged with kidnap of a 15 year old boy.  The defendants’ father, a delivery driver, was lured to a property in order to make a delivery when he was stolen from and ended up on the ground being strangled by one…

The case turned upon a drug line used by the Defendant. The prosecution expert evidence was that the language in the widely broadcast messages could only relate to Cocaine. A defence expert was instructed and that expert gave evidence that while the messages could relate to cocaine it was also…

The trial of 7 defendants began in November 2023 and concluded on the 23rd of January 2024.  Mr Evans’ client, second on the indictment, was the only defendant to be acquitted.  The prosecution case consisted of months of police surveillance, call data, expert telephone and DNA evidence.  Drugs and cutting…

Cocaine, cannabis, cash, scales and a ‘dealer’s list’ was found by Police at GG’s home address. GG also had previous convictions for the supply of Class A drugs. After a full trial at Croydon Crown Court, Helen Dawson (instructed by Shelly Burroughs at GT Stewart) secured unanimous acquittals for her…

Tackling knife crime – written by Stephen Akinsanya in this months Counsel Magazine.   https://www.counselmagazine.co.uk/articles/tackling-knife-crime

Rupert’s client, a successful businessman, 80 years old, pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by careless driving. On 5th January 2024 he was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court by the Recorder of Winchester, Her Honour Judge Morris. In view of the Defendant’s otherwise unblemished driving record and his…