Crime News

Nick Robinson successfully defended Mr Michael Henley-Smith at his Conspiracy to blackmail trial at Bournemouth Crown Court. The trial lasted seven days and concluded when the jury, after three hours in retirement, unanimously acquitted Mr Henley-Smith. The count faced by Mr Henley-Smith had been one of a number of counts on an Indictment containing offences of Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs against seven other defendants. The drugs conspiracy stemmed from an extensive police investigation...

Nigel Lickley QC has been appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge under section 9(4) of the Senior Courts Act 1981. He has been assigned to the Queen’s Bench Division.

Thomas Evans successfully appealed Mr Thomson's 18-month sentence for possession of a Samurai sword in a public place. The Court of Appeal found that the sentence imposed had been "manifestly excessive" and substituted a sentence of 12 months' imprisonment. Mr Justice Goss described Mr Evans' submissions as "cogent and economical". Click here to view Thomas Evans' profile.

The Crime group at 3PB welcomes the result of the recent CBA ballot confirming acceptance of the Government’s revised proposal on the new AGFS.  This brings to an end the action taken by the bar and 3PB since 1st April.  All members of the criminal team will now undertake new work under the revised scheme.  We would like to thank all of our instructing solicitors for their understanding and patience during this time. For more...

This case concerned the deaths of 4 sailors. They were the crew of the Cheeki Rafiki sailing from Antigua to the United Kingdom in May 2014. The vessel capsized when 1000 miles off the east coast of the USA after her keel became detached following the failure of the keel/hull attachment. Mr Innes was the managing agent for Cheeki Rafiki. His business Stormforce Coaching Ltd ran her as a commercial charter for races and cruising....

3PB criminal barrister Thomas Acworth secured an acquittal for a young man who was accused of sexually assaulting teenage girl at a house party.  The case involved close analysis of physical injuries said to have been caused by the Defendant.  Presenting the case  required running the defence of fabrication in tandem with putting the crown to proof on the absence of consent. Click here to view Thomas' profile.

Berenice Mulvanny successfully defended a man of good character charged with rape of a 16 year old and rape of a 12 year old. Both allegations were non recent and involved young witnesses and extensive complaint evidence. The defendant had significant mental health vulnerabilities which required adaptations to the trial process. The Jury returned unanimous verdicts of not guilty on all counts after a six day trial. Click here to view Berenice Mulvanny's profile.

Following the new AGFS coming into force on 1st April 2018, members of the crime group at 3PB have decided that they will not accept instructions in cases in which the representation order is dated from 1st April 2018.  We have taken this difficult decision in order to support our fellow professionals in the latest stage of the constant fight to maintain and uphold the highest standards in the Criminal Justice System and at the...

Three London drug dealers were jailed for more than 30 years each today following unanimous convictions for attempted murder. 3PB Barristers Adam Feest QC, who heads its Crime Team, led Jodie Mittell for the Prosecution in the six-week trial at Winchester Crown Court. The case involved a revenge shooting by the three male defendants against a rival drug network after a robbery at their own drug base in Hampshire. They travelled in convoy from London to the Crookhorn area...

3PB's public and regulatory and crime teams are proud to announce the publication of the fifth edition of 'Millington and Sutherland Williams on the Proceeds of Crime'. This major work, published by Oxford University Press, is available to 3PB's instructing solicitors with a 20% discount.  Please contact [email protected] to benefit from this offer, valid until 31/1/2019. A leading practitioner text on all aspects of restraint, confiscation and civil recovery of the proceeds of crime, the book has been fully...

3PB Barristers are delighted to announce that three of their barristers have been appointed as Recorders. Lawrence Messling, is assigned to sit on the North Eastern Circuit dealing with Family matters. William Hansen has been assigned to sit on the South Eastern Circuit dealing with Criminal matters. Mathew Gullick has also been assigned to sit on the South Eastern Circuit dealing with Criminal matters. Lawrence Messling, a specialist family law barrister with over twenty five...

Gemma White acted for the second defendant, aged 16 at the time of the alleged offences, who faced multiple charges of rape and possession of indecent images of a child along with three other co-accused. The trial lasted several weeks and involved complex matters of law as well as forensic evidence and young and vulnerable witnesses who required careful and sensitive cross examination. A number of the charges were dismissed at the close of the prosecution case and the...