Good afternoon

I hope everyone is keeping well. 

Welcome to Crime Team's weekly blog for the week commencing 1st March 2021: 

This week John Black QC acted for the DPP of the British Virgin Islands in an appeal against a conviction for murder before the East Caribbean Court of Appeal. He has also accepted instructions from the AG of the BVI to represent the US Government in an extradition case in the Territory.  

Paul Williams attended Kingston CC this week to act on behalf of his client charged with fraud which allegedly involved £680,000+ quantum: The Def was the business manager of a school in Surrey, in charge of the school finances, and she allegedly stole the money whilst so employed over a period of 6 years. Not Guilty Pleas were entered and the trial was set for three weeks in 2022.

Ravinder Saimbhi successfully opposed an application to dismiss made at Leeds Crown Court this week in a case of 2 burglaries some days apart with the DNA evidence being ‘movable objects’ found at each scene. She was able to raise cogent arguments to persuade the Court that there was a clear case to put before the jury and the trial remains on track for July 2021. Instructed by West Yorkshire CPS

Emma Reed is instructed by Rebecca Higgins of Credence Law in a new case of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity – penetration and possession of indecent images. 

Robert Fitt has been instructed to represent a client accused of serious sexual offences in a case that involves intricate jurisdictional issues.  The defendant, who is not a UK national, may be in a position to assert diplomatic immunity.  Mr Fitt has advised on the substance and procedure of diplomatic immunity and extradition and obtained an adjournment of the proceedings for enquiries to be made of the foreign government in question.  Mr Fitt is instructed in the case by Castelo Solicitors.​