Hi all 

I hope everyone is well.

Welcome to the crime team's blog for the week commencing 8th March 2021:

Neil Mercer and Robert Fitt are prosecuting a substantial and complicated home care fraud on behalf of a London Borough, the sums are in excess of 200k. The instigator of the fraud pleaded guilty to seven counts on Monday at ILCC and a trial was fixed for next year in respect of a a remaining defendant who has pleaded not guilty.

This week, Ravinder Saimbhi completed her first s28 cross examination at Guildford Crown Court in a case of alleged historic  sexual abuse. The ‘front loading’ of work in these types of cases means that full disclosure takes place much earlier and allows for effective  and thorough preparation as a result. The rest of the trial will continue in June 2021. Instructed by Jag Phull at Langfield Law

Ayesha Smart has hit the Yorkshire Evening Post twice this week for matters she has been prosecuting at Leeds Crown Court. 

The first matter involved an aggravated burglary in which the 20-year-old Defendant tricked his way into a beautician's house. He pushed over a toddler and threatened to stab the mum in her own home as he stole £5,000 of her business takings. He was jailed for six and a half years over the raid at the house.

Burglar pushed over toddler and threatened to stab Leeds businesswoman in her own home as he stole £5,000 in cash | Yorkshire Evening Post​

In the second matter, a violent young offender, and another young offender serving for murder, stabbed another inmate. This revenge attack was committed in the exercise yard at a Wetherby Young Offenders' Institution using an improvised shiv. The 17-year-old was handed an extended sentence totalling seven-and-a-half-years after pleading guilty.

Wetherby Young Offender Institution inmate used improvised weapon to stab rival teenager during revenge attack in exercise yard | Yorkshire Evening Post​

A fantastic result for Mohammed Saqib at the Nightingale Court sitting in Barbican. The matter was listed for trial relating to importation of Class-B drugs in the UK, however robust conversations with the CPS led to a plea bargain. The matter finalised by of a 14 day custodial sentence suspended by 12 months and a £250 fine.