Overview
John is a barrister practising in criminal law and all related areas. He is building a strong Crown Court practice representing defendants charged with a variety of serious criminal matters including fraud, money laundering, violence and sexual offences.
Instructing solicitors have observed that John goes the extra mile in cases involving young and vulnerable people. He places great importance on caring for the lay client throughout their case whether they are a business professional or a vulnerable person.
John is regularly instructed in the Magistrates’ Court on a privately funded basis to represent individuals in a range of general crime cases. He accepts instructions in driving matters and has successfully defended a number of individuals facing drink driving and related charges.
“We have been impressed by John’s preparation, client care and advocacy. It is clear he has a keen eye for detail. We have full confidence in his ability to do a fantastic job for our clients.”
Feedback from one of John's instructing solicitors
John was instructed as disclosure counsel to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry for 8 months. He was also instructed as disclosure counsel to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).
Direct Public Access
John accepts instructions under the direct access scheme. This allows members of the public to instruct John directly to advise them on or represent them in suitable cases.
Professional panel appointments
- Crown Prosecution Service appointed prosecutor - Level 2 (2018)
- Attorney General's Junior Juniors Panel (2017)
Additional information
Prior to joining chambers, John worked as a paralegal for two years at Hickman & Rose Solicitors. During that time John assisted Jenny Wiltshire in various cases concerning manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter and historical sexual allegations.
Education
- BBP Law School, BPTC; Very Competent
- BBP Law School, GDL; Commendation
- University of Warwick, BA (Hons.) History; 2.1
Awards
- Ann Felicity Goddard Scholarship, Gray’s Inn (2017)
Professional Memberships
- Criminal Bar Association (Elected Executive Committee Member 2018 onwards)
- Young Fraud Lawyers Association
- London Irish Lawyers Association
Asset Recovery, Civil Fraud & Confiscation
Confiscation
John accepts instructions in confiscation matters. He has defended in confiscation hearings in the Crown Court where he has achieved significantly reduced orders for his clients. John accepts instructions in enforcement proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court.
Cash Forfeiture and Account Freezing/Forfeiture Orders
John is experienced in advising on cash forfeiture cases from an early stage. John acts for both respondents and applicants. Both the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Metropolitan Police regularly instruct John in cash forfeiture cases, and he has successfully acted in cases where the value of cash exceeds £100,000.
John accepts instructions on behalf of individuals facing cash forfeiture proceedings.
“John provided a comprehensive case strategy... he demonstrated excellent witness handling skills and advocacy to achieve an excellent outcome... I trust his judgement.”
Feedback from John's instructing solicitors in a cash forfeiture case
Business Crime
John is building a depth of experience in business and financial crime cases. He has been instructed by defence solicitors to review and analyse documents in cases concerning:
- A FCA and DOJ investigation into a banker accused of circumventing internal controls and fraudulently allowing sovereign-backed loans (valued at $2 billion USD) to be taken out and sold to investors.
- A detailed LPP review for a corporate client responding to a production order in a case connected to an alleged fraud against a sovereign wealth fund.
- An executive officer of a FTSE 100 company accused of being involved in accountancy fraud.
During his time as a paralegal John was part of the team who represented the first LIBOR trader to be exonerated by the FCA's Regulatory Decisions Committee. John also spent time as part of the team who defended a Barclays’ derivatives trader charged with conspiracy to manipulate LIBOR.
Crime
Criminal Defence
John’s principle area of practice is defending individuals facing criminal allegations. He has worked on cases with clients ranging from high net worth individuals and premiership footballers to very vulnerable young people.
“John's cross examination of the main prosecution witness was impressive.”
Feedback from John's instructing solicitors on a case of section 18 GBH with a Certificate for Counsel in the Youth Court
Before joining the Bar John developed significant experience in litigating criminal cases; he enjoys engaging with instructing solicitors throughout a case to achieve the best result for the lay client.
Criminal Prosecution
John undertakes work for the CPS as well as private prosecutions. He also prosecutes for local authorities where he draws on his knowledge from a 4 month secondment to a local authority legal team.
Professional Discipline & Regulatory
John has an interest in developing a practice defending individuals before a range of regulators.
John has been instructed by the Metropolitan Police to undertake a disclosure review of highly sensitive material, some pertaining to national security issues, for a police misconduct hearing. The case concerned the undercover operations of the Special Demonstration Squad SO12 and the alleged inappropriate sexual relationships between undercover officers and activists. The case has received significant press attention.
Cases of Note
Crime
R v AX [2018]
Junior alone. John secured an acquittal for his client charged with sexual assault. AX was of good character. The trial lasted 3 days and the jury acquitted John’s client after 45 minutes. Defence costs order granted.
R v X [2018]
Junior alone (certificate for counsel). John represented an 18 year old of good character in the youth court. X was accused of attempted s18 GBH and s20 GBH. The trial lasted for 4 days. Following John's written and oral submissions of no case to answer the attempted s18 GBH was dismissed at the close of the prosecution case. John's client was acquitted of s20 GBH.
R v AA [2018]
Junior alone. AA was first on the indictment charged with s18 GBH in a two handed cut throat. The second defendant blamed AA entirely. Prosecution witnesses recalled AA delivering numerous kicks and punches to the complaint. AA was also alleged to have held a weapon to the complainant’s face. The complainant suffered a brain haemorrhage, a skull fracture necessitating the removal of part of the skull and ongoing memory issues. Following careful cross-examination and jury speech AA was acquitted of s18 GBH with intent. Convicted of s20 GBH, as was the co-Defendant. Sentenced to 33 months, which is below the guideline starting point.
R v DF [2017]
Junior alone. DF was arrested on the street with a taser which was allegedly disguised as a torch, a machete and a stab proof vest. DF was charged with s5(1A) Firearms Act offence subject to the statutory minimum 5 year sentence. Following representations drafted by John the CPS amended the indictment, charging a s5(1)(b) Firearms Act offence instead. DF was also charged with possession of an offensive weapon. Following extensive mitigation DF received a suspended sentence.
R v GP [2017]
Led junior (led by Queen’s Counsel) in case concerning allegations of sexual assault and false imprisonment before the case was discontinued by the prosecution. Defence costs order granted. Continued to be instructed in claim for wasted costs against the CPS.
R v MR [2017]
Junior alone representing a young vulnerable woman charged with robbery at the Crown Court. After extensive mitigation and issues relating to the crossing a significant age threshold, the sentence was deferred. At the same time acted in ongoing Magistrates’ Court proceedings for MR and drafted a letter of representations resulting in those charges being discontinued.
R v K [2017]
Acted for a defendant charged who had fraudulently claimed a £20,000 lottery ticket. Following mitigation the court imposed a sentence significantly below the sentencing guidelines range. The case attracted national press attention. (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/08/village-shopkeepertold-customer-20k-winninglotteryticket-worth/)
Driving Offences
R v F [2018]
John's client entered a guilty plea to being drunk while in charge of a motor vehicle. John persuaded the court not to impose penalty points; the lay client was concerned on the effect of penalty points on his work and work insurance. The court imposed a short disqualification and a small fine.
R v TL [2017]
John successfully defended a former soldier accused of failing to provide a specimen of breath when required to do so. TL suffered from PTSD as a result of his tour of Afghanistan. The prosecution disputed the defence medical evidence. Defence costs order granted.
R v N [2017]
John's client was acquitted of failing to provide a specimen of breath when required to do so. John cross-examined police officers at length and adduced expert evidence to show that N suffered with anxiety. Defence costs order granted.
