Criminal Defence
Paul has a burgeoning criminal practice, predominantly defending and prosecuting in the Crown Court. He represents clients at Crown Court trials and committals for sentence for a range of offences including causing grievous bodily harm with intent, the supply of class A drugs, theft offences, fraud and money laundering. Paul also has a great deal of experience representing clients in a range of matters at the Youth and Magistrates Courts.
As an advocate, the calm, clear and confident style in which he presents his clients’ cases, both in his jury advocacy and submissions made before judges and magistrates, has been the subject of comments made by judges and clients alike.
Paul has assisted other members of chambers with presentation of lectures and publications on issues of bribery, corruption, cartels and other white collar and financial crime, and regulation.
Notable Cases:
R v PC FM
Paul’s client, a serving police officer at the time of the alleged offence, unanimously acquitted of rape.
R v Roy Stannard
Paul was led by Michael Hayton QC representing an elderly man facing historic allegations of child cruelty and sexual assault made by a number of his step-children. The Defendant was acquitted of counts relating to the sexual assault of one of the complainants, but was convicted of a number of other counts.
R v Brian Thompson
Paul was led by Orlando Pownall QC representing a man accused of involvement in a nationwide conspiracy to supply Heroin. The conspiracy involved the shipping of large quantities of heroin out of Liverpool, to drug suppliers in Scotland, Wales and South West England. The Defendant was acquitted. In the weeks following the acquittal, the Crown offered no evidence against one of the alleged co-conspirators, represented by Jonathan LaidLaw QC and Chris Ware, who was accused of playing a leading role in the conspiracy.
R v Luke Reeves
Paul represented a young man accused of causing grievous bodily with intent by biting the top of another man’s ear off in a nightclub. The client was acquitted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and convicted of the lesser offence of inflicting grievous bodily harm. Paul represented the client at his sentencing hearing, at which he received a suspended sentence.
R v Angela Thomson
Paul represented a woman accused of assaulting a police constable in execution of his duty and of causing harassment alarm or distress. The alleged assault was said to consist of choking a special constable. Paul cross examined four special constables who gave evidence for the crown. The client was acquitted of the assault charge, and convicted of the public order matter. The client received a conditional discharge.