Notable Criminal Cases – 2016
R V M – MURDER – CROYDON CROWN COURT
This is a case which relates to the heavily publicised murder of a man whose body has never been recovered which took place in Sussex.
Sussex Police undertook a lengthy investigation involving telephone and forensic analysis which necessitated the use of expert evidence.
R V A – MURDER – BRISTOL CROWN COURT
The Defendant was charged with the murder of a drug user and was also implicated in the large supply of class A drugs.
Medical evidence was pivotal throughout this case and a leading expert was instructed on behalf of the Defence who managed to undermine the Crown’s case. After a submission of no case to answer was made at trial the charges of murder and manslaughter were both dismissed.
R V M-G – ATTEMPTED MURDER – CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT
The Defendant was accused of carrying out a “drive by” shooting in West London. He transferred to SVS after admitting in his police interview that he had been responsible for the shooting but avoided conviction for attempted murder.
R V H – ATTEMPTED MURDER – CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT
The Defendant was charged with attempted murder as it was alleged he had shot a police officer after Operation Trident had executed a raid on his home address. This case attracted national media coverage and a fully contested trial at the Central Criminal Court ensued. The Defendant had been detained by officers in possession of a firearm and was identified by a number of them as being responsible for the shooting but was acquitted by a jury after trial.
R V K – ATTEMPTED MURDER – INNER LONDON CROWN COURT
The Defendant was charged in connection with a gang related stabbing that took place in South London. Detailed analysis of telephone and CCTV evidence was utilised by the investigating police force.
Our client was identified by a former school teacher whose evidence was supported by CCTV. He was also arrested and charged with separate firearms offences during the course of his trial but was acquitted by a jury in his absence.
R V D – CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT MONEY LAUNDERING – BLACKFRIARS CROWN COURT
The Defendant was alleged to be part of an organised crime network and was arrested following a surveillance operation. She was the only one of the four Defendants to be acquitted.
R V B – CONSPIRACY TO PERVERT THE COURSE OF JUSTICE AND MONEY LAUNDERING
This case arose from a complex investigation into money laundering and involved a great deal of telephone and cell site analysis by a regional Major Crime Team. There were eleven Defendants in total. After detailed representations were made to the Prosecution the Defendant pleaded to a lesser substantive count and the main allegations were discontinued.
R V M – CONSPIRACY TO SUPPLY CLASS A – WOOLWICH CROWN COURT
The Metropolitan Police Special Intelligence Service had charged six men after the seizure of 200 kilograms of high purity cocaine valued at £70m. The Defendant was arrested at Tilbury Docks after the cocaine was found concealed in the rear of a vehicle being used by the Defendants.
A protracted investigation resulted in a trial after which the Defendant was acquitted.
R V P – CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT ROBBERY – CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT
The Defendant is one of six Defendants charged by the Flying Squad in relation to a complex conspiracy to commit armed robberies. This follows an investigation that lasted for two years. In total it was alleged that ten armed robberies had taken place in the South London area.
After a lengthy trial our client was acquitted of the main charges.
R V B – CONSPIRACY TO TRANSFER FIREARMS – HARROW CROWN COURT
This case concerned the large scale manufacture of lethal firearms, and their subsequent onward sale. It was alleged that the conspirators would organise the purchase of de-activated firearms from antique or military shops and would then “re-activate” the firearms, and in so doing manufacture a fully functioning and lethal firearm.
There were eleven Defendants in total and the case was investigated by Operation Trident and it was alleged that they were connected to 30-40 firearms.
R V C – CONSPIRACY TO TRANSFER FIREARMS – CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT
The Defendant was one of four charged with plotting to transfer a loaded firearm onwards for use in a criminal enterprise. This case involved the use of cell site analysis and an undercover surveillance operation by Trident officers.
After 2 trials our client was the only defendant out of 4 that was acquitted.
R V R – CONSPIRACY TO TRANSFER FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION – WOOLWICH CROWN COURT
The Defendant was arrested in the course of an undercover Police “Sting” which involved the use of phone recordings and surveillance. It was alleged that the weapons were to be obtained for the purpose of being used in gang related activity.
R V A – CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT KIDNAP, FALSE IMPRISONMENT AND BLACKMAIL
This is a multi-handed kidnap case that is said to have taken place in the South London area. It was investigated by the Human Trafficking Unit and was based upon the evidence of the complainant combined with CCTV and cell site analysis.
Our client was acquitted after a fully contested trial.