Nigel Edwards QC leading Nichola Cafferkey and David Nathan QC leading Paul Williams will commence a two handed socially distanced murder trial at Southwark on the 10th August. Listed for three weeks with two defendants this marks a huge step forwards in the courts and counsel returning to a semblance of normality. The arrangements for these types of cases have taken a great deal of planning, careful consideration of risk assessments and method statements in order to ensure the safety and welfare of all involved. It is hoped that the successes of these types of cases will herald a swifter return to normality, or at very least the dawn of the new normal.

Andrew Hill secured an 8 month suspended sentence and community order for an offender involved with a group in an early morning attack on door security at a club in Essex. The victims received injuries including wounds when set upon by a large group denied entry to the Club. Weapons were used and one of the doormen received a wound to the back of his head requiring hospital treatment. The Sentencing Guidelines placed the case in category  1A with a starting point of 2 years under the Guidelines issued in October 2019. The case demonstrated the benefit of obtaining good character references and in particular references that face head-on the issues that need to be addressed. 

​Daniel Walker acted for AD, the Defendant, in a socially distanced trial conducted at Croydon Crown Court. Following trial, the Defendant was convicted by a 10-2 majority of Possession of an Identity Document with Improper Intent, contrary to section 4(1) and (2) of the Identity Documents Act 2010. AD was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment.  

Daniel Walker was instructed to represent MA at Sentence. MA had previously pleaded Guilty to one offence of Failing to Provide a Security for VAT Payment, contrary to section 72(11) and paragraph 4(2) of the Value Added Tax Act 1994. The Prosecution were seeking a Compensation Order for unpaid VAT of £73,012.23. Following full mitigation advanced on background, means and culpability, Compensation was ordered at £2,500. The total financial penalty being £3,200. 

Mohammed Saqib triumphed at Aylesbury Crown Court this week. The defendant had pleaded to 2 counts of Possession With Intent to Supply Class A drugs, totalling 76 wraps. To aggravate matters further the defendant had stolen the drugs in order to benefit financially from intended sales. The defendant was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months for each of the two counts, to run concurrently. Mohammed was also able to secure the return of 3 of the 4 telephone’s seized by the Police. A forfeiture order of £240 was made to be given to local charities.

Please keep an eye on our social media and website next week for some important announcements.

I hope you aren't melting in the heat!

Have a good weekend all.

Jamie