Gemma White 560x670

Gemma White

Year of Call: 2009
Email Address: [email protected]
Telephone: 01962 868884

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Clerk Details

  • Clerk Name: Stuart Pringle
  • Clerk Telephone: 01962 868 884
  • Clerk Email: [email protected]

Sexual offences

Gemma's practice encompasses the full range of sexual offences. She is most often instructed in cases involving vulnerable witnesses or defendants; either because of age or mental health difficulties.

She has experience of representing the police in civil proceedings in applications for Sexual Harm Prevention orders and Sexual Risk Orders.

Recent cases of note

  • R v E (2022, ongoing) Bournemouth Crown Court, Prosecuting Counsel, multiple historic allegations of rape and sexual assault by cousin
  • R v B (2022, ongoing) Portsmouth Crown Court, Defence Counsel, allegation of stranger rape
  • R v C (2022) Southampton Youth Court, Defence Counsel representing 17-year-old charged with anal rape of 14-year-old girl. Sensitive cross examination
  • R v C (2022) Bournemouth Crown Court, Prosecuting Counsel, multiple rapes in context of domestic violence
  • R v H (2021) Portsmouth Crown Court, Defence Counsel, allegations of abuse by (then) 2-year-old against brother in early 1970s. Expert evidence in respect of memory formation
  • R v J (2021) Bristol Youth Court, defence counsel representing 16-year-old charged with inciting 10 year old sister into sexual activity. Sensitive cross examination via intermediary
  • R v F (2021) Southampton Crown Court, Defence Counsel, representing 17-year-old with mental health difficulties on charges of rape of a child under 12
  • R v C (2021) Southampton Crown Court, Defence Counsel, rape. Sentence referred to Court of Appeal by Attorney General but successfully defended and therefore not increased. Local Press Report here
  • R v A (2021) Bournemouth Crown Court, Prosecution Counsel, allegations of sexual assault by (then) 5-year-old against sister’ boyfriend in early 1990s
  • R v B (2020) Winchester Crown Court. Prosecution Trial Counsel- inciting a child into sexual activity. National Press coverage here
  • R v D (2019) Southampton Crown Court- instructed trial counsel for defendant with severe autism and not fit to plead in allegations of sexual assault made by sister. Case required sensitive handling of client
  • R v W (2019) Southampton Crown Court- instructed trial counsel for defendant with severe learning difficulties charged with sexual assault on a stranger
  • R v N (2019) Southampton Crown Court. Appeal against the making of a SHPO for a defendant with severe mental health and learning difficulties. SHPO had been made in lower court without any opportunity for the Defendant to be represented or participate in proceedings due to his mental health difficulties. The Order made was severely draconian, required him to notify the police in advance of any sexual activity and imposed a curfew that lasted for 4 years. Appeal against these terms successful. National Reporting here
  • R v R (2019) Southampton Crown Court. Prosecution Counsel- allegations of historic indecent assault and recent sexual assault by a grandfather in his granddaughters, one of whom aged 5 years old. National Reporting here
  • R v P (2019) Southampton Crown Court- Defence Counsel- attempted sexual communication with a child and inciting a child into sexual activity
  • R v K (2019) Winchester Crown Court. Junior Prosecution Counsel in multiple recent and historic rape and indecent assault allegations (led by Timothy Bradbury) in relation to the Defendant’s daughters, step-daughters and sister. Complex third party material and disclosure exercise and hostile witness. Local Reporting here
  • R v R (2019) Portsmouth Crown Court. Defence Counsel Allegation of domestic violence sexual assault. Prosecution Offered no evidence
  • R v O (2018) Portsmouth Crown Court. Prosecution Counsel in knifepoint rape. 18 year sentence imposed. Local news report here
  • R v E (2018) Portsmouth Crown Court. Allegations of attempted Rape and Sexual Assault by an uncle on his niece. Case stopped following successful submission of no case to answer
  • Operation Mespohere R v M (2018) Southampton Crown Court: 17 year old defendant charged with gang rape together with three others. Several counts dismissed at half time and acquittal secured
  • R v K (2018) Portsmouth Youth Court: 12 year old charged with inciting 5 year-old sibling into sexual activity. Prosecution offered no evidence following legal arguments on admissibility of evidence
  • R v W (2018) Bournemouth Crown Court: historic allegations of multiple rape and indecent assault by complainant’s father
  • R v H (2017) Southampton Crown Court: Historic allegations of indecent assault by grandfather on two granddaughters
  • R v T (2017) Portsmouth Crown Court: inciting a child into sexual activity. Instructed Defence Counsel
  • R v M (2017) Bournemouth Crown Court: Sexual Assault - Prosecuting Counsel
  • R v E (2017) Southampton Crown Court; Indecent Images - Defendant in possession of and distributing close to 1 million images across all categories - Defence Counsel - suspended sentence imposed
  • R v P (2015) Portsmouth Crown Court: Prosecuting Counsel in Sexual Assault where the complainant had learning difficulties and significant vulnerabilities.
  • Recommendations

    Legal 500 2024/Crime (General and Fraud)/ Leading Juniors/ Western Circuit

    ‘particular strength lies in the cross-examination of young or vulnerable witnesses’

    'Whether prosecuting or defending, she is particularly adept at dealing with cases of the utmost sensitivity. She is always on top of her brief and combines intellect with a common sense approach.'

    Legal 500 2023/Crime (General and Fraud)/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit

    'Gemma is determined, focused, committed, always fully prepared and highly professional. She is an assured and proficient advocate, confident in court with all judges.'

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