Dominic Connolly leading
John McNamara prosecuted a £1.6 million Boiler Room Fraud at Southwark Crown Court’s Nightingale Annex, Prospero House. The trial concerned allegations of conspiracy to defraud and launder the proceeds of the fraud. The fraudsters sold non-existent investments in payday loan companies, cryptocurrency and pharmaceutical companies to vulnerable victims.
All three defendants were convicted on all counts. The trial lasted for over 3 months. It is thought to be the longest-running trial since the first national Lockdown, and the longest-running trial in a Nightingale Court. The trial dealt with a variety of challenges raised by the Covid-19 pandemic. Two of the defendants gave their evidence over a CVP link from their homes while in self-isolation pursuant to provisions within the Coronavirus Act 2020. This is thought to be the first time this ever has happened in a criminal court in England and Wales.
This was the third of four related trials. Convictions were obtained in the earlier two trials.
Dominic and John were instructed by the CPS Specialist Fraud Division.
Dominic Connolly is an experienced criminal practitioner whose practice principally concerns serious and large-scale organised crime. He is a Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Grade 4 prosecutor and is on the CPS rape and serious sexual offences list. Dominic is ranked in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 as a leading individual in crime at the London Bar.
John McNamara 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. He is experienced in defending and prosecuting a range of proceedings arising from the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 including restraint and confiscation, cash forfeiture, and account freezing and forfeiture hearings.
