Recommended in both general crime and fraud by the Chambers Directory, an independent guide to the legal professions. Described as 'a high quality defence barrister' (Chambers Directory 2007) and 'particularly strong on MTIC, VAT and pension frauds...and is known for his "first rate client skills" (Chambers Directory 2008).

He has tended to specialise in fraud, of all types, and complex and serious crime in general.

A further area of specialisation is police disciplinary work with a particular expertise in Police Appeals Tribunals. He is often instructed at an early stage and advises pre-interview. Other regulatory work includes VAT tribunals and advising on FSA investigations. 

Exclusively a defence advocate he both acts both as leading junior and junior Counsel.

Recent Cases (2007)

Acted for the principal defendant in Operation Alpington a major drugs case tried at the Central Criminal Court. The case relied on the evidence of a supergrass and extensive covert surveillance.

Defended in Operation Devout at Northampton Crown Court. A money laundering case following a massive investigation by the Revenue and Customs codenamed Operation Devout.

Represented a defendant at Nottingham Crown Court in Operation Gnawed who faced allegations of money laundering related to MTIC frauds.

Defended the principle defendant in the prosecution that followed the collapse of Future Network Systems, a major computer reseller.   

Represented the principle defendant on Operation Keel at Guildford Crown Court-a Surrey police investigation into firearms and drugs utilising intrusive surveillance.

Recently instructed by a company investigated by the SFA for allegedly operating an unregulated collective investment scheme and advising a client before an SFO interview.

Fraud

Extensive experience in diversion, MTIC, VAT, pensions and advance fee frauds. Also has experience of unusual frauds involving the Patent Office of the UK, the DfES and frauds that have targeted ex-patriot property investors. Experienced in other aspects of fraud in relation to copyright theft, diesel laundering, and Tax. Has acted for the directors of two football league clubs in relation to allegations of fraud.

Acted for the appellant in the earliest London City Bond Case to result in a conviction (overturned on appeal-see R v Early and others [2003] 1 Cr App R 19) and has acted in very substantial diversion frauds since-R v W, a large diversion fraud involving two corrupt customs officers, R v V-the largest diversion fraud prosecuted in the North of England and R v M a large ‘red diesel’ fraud.

Has defended in ‘Anglo American’-a complex advance fee fraud that involved the largest ever ‘paper transfer’ to date by the SFO. Other serious frauds include acting as junior to Jim Sturman QC in the Cheney pension fraud and also acting as junior counsel in R v M, a £53 million pound MTIC fraud that concluded in December 2006.

Has particular experience of defending in cases brought by the Special Compliance Office of HM Customs and Revenue including defending the first ever prosecution brought under the ‘pension busting’ provisions as well as acting for an accountant charged with a large building trade fraud.

General Crime

Has extensive experience in allegations involving supply and importation of drugs on professional scale. Instructed before the CCRC in the infamous Operation Stealer Case, represented the main defendant in Operation Alpington, a large drugs case. He has recently defended as leading junior in a large drugs and firearms case in Surrey and also as leading junior in major operations brought by the Bedfordshire police.

He has defended in many other grave cases involving murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and serious offences of dishonesty.

Defended Romeo from ‘So Solid Crew’ in three trials involving allegations of assault (knifing).

He has defended in a number of ‘cold case’ allegations. Has advised in many ‘second opinion’ appeals involving contract killings and drug related crime in general. He has a particular experience of cases involving informants.

Police Discipline

He has a nationwide defence practice. These cases typically involve serious allegations of a criminal nature and are determined by a panel of senior police officers on the balance of probabilities. Has defended officers in many forces (Cleveland, Hampshire, Humberside, Derbyshire, Merseyside, Metropolitan, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Essex and Nottinghamshire) in allegations involving assault, corruption, theft, perjury as well as particular offence against the police discipline code. Advises at a very early stage and assist in cases where legal representation is not always available. He has a particular expertise before the Police Appeals Tribunal.

He has defended officers in criminal cases arising out of the use of force at football matches and in public order situations that have attracted national publicity.

Defended in Operation Granite, an investigation spanning a number of years conducted by the Northumbrian Police into CID officers in Cleveland.

Cases