Serious & complex crime

John represented a client at the Old Bailey in a 14-defendant prosecution involving conspiracy to kidnap, blackmail and false imprisonment. Instructed by Paul Cameron of Bark & Co, he challenged surveillance evidence and disclosure through Public Interest Immunity (PII) proceedings. After two weeks of defence submissions, the prosecution offered no evidence and all 14 defendants were acquitted.

After guilty pleas to drug-supply conspiracies and acquiring criminal property, John successfully challenged the role alleged by the prosecution at a Newton hearing. His client was sentenced on the accepted defence basis. In subsequent contested confiscation proceedings involving UK and overseas property, vehicles and bank funds, no money or assets were confiscated. These results concern sentencing and confiscation, not an acquittal.

John represented a former professional footballer at sentencing at Leicester Crown Court, following convictions in the Magistrates’ Court. The court imposed an 18-month suspended sentence. John’s involvement was at the sentencing stage.

Following Y’s guilty plea to assaulting an emergency worker, John opposed a football banning order. The court declined to impose the order after considering Y’s circumstances and the absence of a connection to football hooliganism.