Fred Batstone
- CPS Panel Level 2
- Criminal Bar Association
- The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple
- Bar Professional Training Course with Masters of Law (Very Competent & Distinction), University of Law
- Graduate Diploma in Law, University of Law
- BA Hons History, University of Warwick
Scholarships / Awards
- The 5 Paper Buildings Prize for Cross Examination, The University of Law
- The Jules Thorn Scholarship, The Honourable Society of Middle Temple
- Vulnerable Witness Trained, Middle Temple
Instructing Fred Batstone
To instruct Fred or for any further information please contact our clerks.
Fred Batstone is developing a broad practice across the spectrum of criminal offences. He is regularly instructed to appear for the prosecution and the defence in the Crown Court, Youth Court and Magistrates’ Courts on both a private and publicly funded basis.
Fred has experience in cases involving serious violence (including domestic violence), drugs, weapons, public order, robbery and fraud. Fred is also regularly instructed to represent clients charged with motoring offences.
Fred has particular experience in serious Youth Court work and in representing vulnerable individuals.
Prior to joining 2 Bedford Row, Fred volunteered as a mentor for Vocalise, teaching debating to prisoners in HMP Pentonville.
Practice Areas
Fred is regularly instructed to defend in a broad range of criminal matters in the Crown, Magistrates’ and Youth Courts. He also has experience conducting appeals to the Crown Court and committals for sentence. Fred has experience in cases involving serious violence (including domestic violence), drugs, weapons, public order, robbery and fraud. Fred also has particular experience representing clients charged with motoring offences. Fred has particular experience representing youths and vulnerable individuals with serious mental illness, and has undertaken specialist training in dealing with vulnerable witnesses. He is able to assist in drafting letters of representation to the Crown Prosecution Service where appropriate.
Notable defence cases
R v DE
Defendant acquitted by a jury at Bristol Crown Court, on an indictment containing one count of theft. DE was accused of stealing £17,000 from his grandmother’s safe.
R v JW
Successful submission of no case to answer for assault of an emergency worker, the issue being whether the officer was acting in the exercise of his function.
R v JM
Defendant sentenced to community order following committal for possession of Category A indecent images.
R v AB
Defendant acquitted of assault on an emergency worker and obstructing a police officer in a trial involving six live police witnesses.
R v RK
Defendant acquitted of possessing a bladed article, successfully running reasonable excuse for having the knife at a picnic.
R v JR
Youth of good character acquitted of possessing an offensive weapon, the issue being personal knowledge of the weapon.
R v CWB
Successful submission of no case to answer in a youth burglary trial, with ID the issue.
R v NS
Appeal against the imposition of a restraining order; the appeal was allowed, varying the conditions and reducing it by a year.
Fred regularly prosecutes in the Crown, magistrates’ and youth courts. He has particular experience in prosecuting motoring offences and domestic violence. Fred is also regularly instructed by the National Probation Service for breach proceedings in the Crown Court.
Notable prosecution cases
R v JG
Secured conviction in a case involving racially aggravated assault, theft from a motor vehicle and criminal damage, with a vulnerable complainant giving evidence with the assistance of an interpreter.
R v JT
Secured conviction for failing to provide a specimen, in a case involving cross-examination of an expert on the issue of needle phobia.
Fred has particular experience representing clients charged with a range of driving offences, from drink and drug driving to failing to provide a specimen.
Notable road traffic cases
R v AW
Successful submission of no case to answer for drink driving, the issue being whether a caravan site was a ‘public place’.
R v NW
Successfully argued exceptional hardship for a Defendant who was suffering with serious illness and relied on their vehicle to attend hospital.
R v RP
Crown dropped charges of failure to provide a specimen after written representations to review the case on the basis that language barriers can amount to a reasonable excuse.
R v CO
Successfully argued exceptional hardship in a case where the Defendant relied on his vehicle to take his children to school and social activities.
