Rebecca Erkan-Bax

Criminal Defence

Rebecca has extensive experience defending clients accused of a range of serious criminal offences including s18 GBH with intent, robbery, sexual offences, drug offences, possession of offensive weapons, burglary and fraud. She regularly defends clients at trial in multi-handed conspiracy cases and has successfully represented clients in prison adjudication hearings.

Rebecca frequently represents vulnerable youth clients with complex mental health issues and clients who have been deemed unfit to stand trial. She has defended clients in Civil Injunction Proceedings in the Youth Court and is dedicated to obtaining the best possible outcome for every client.

Notable Cases:

R v M

Croydon Crown Court

The complainant and defendant were previously in a consensual sexual relationship. After the relationship ended, the complainant alleged that the defendant had attended her house and used force to rape her on five occasions.  The complainant called the police after the defendant smashed the complainant’s living room windows and made threats towards her.

The defendant and the complainant both had significant mental health issues and required extensive assistance throughout the trial process.  The jury acquitted the defendant of all charges unanimously.

R v L

Central Criminal Court (led junior)

Rebecca was instructed as led Junior Counsel for the first defendant in a multi-handed case of attempted murder.  The case involved two rival gangs fighting, with one gang shooting live ammunition at the other. An errant bullet hit a member of the public, causing her life changing injuries. After trial, L was unanimously acquitted of all charges by the jury.

R v RM

Kingston Crown Court

Rebecca represented this defendant who faced five counts of rape. The complainant and defendant had previously had a consensual sexual relationship, but the complainant alleged that the defendant had used force to commit the alleged non-consensual acts. The defendant and the complainant both had significant mental health issues and required extensive assistance throughout the trial process. The jury acquitted the defendant of all charges unanimously.

R v B

Reading Crown Court

Rebecca was instructed alone as Junior counsel.  B and F were in a relationship for approximately 10 months. During this time, F fell pregnant with B’s child. The day after the child was born, F ended the relationship with B. A short time later F alleged that B had forcefully raped her three times and assaulted her once during the relationship. The case required diligent preparation and careful witness handling as both B and F required the use of intermediaries during the trial. B was acquitted of the three counts of rape and the assault after trial.

R v A

Aylesbury Crown Court

Rebecca was instructed alone as Junior counsel.  A and L met via an on-line dating website. On their first date, they met at A’s flat and L alleged that A had violently raped her. A also faced an alternative count of attempted rape. The jury were directed to return a not guilty verdict to the alternative count after half time submissions were made. The case involved challenging expert medical evidence and bad character evidence. A was acquitted of the remaining count of rape after trial.

R v H

Croydon Crown Court (led Junior)

Rebecca was instructed as led Junior Counsel in a multi-handed case of murder.  After a seven week trial of three defendants MH was acquitted of all charges by the jury.

R v W

Guildford Crown Court (led Junior)

Rebecca was instructed as led Junior counsel in a complex case of conspiracy to burgle involving multiple defendants and large amount of cell site and expert evidence.

R v D

Central Criminal Court 

Represented D who faced three counts of Conspiracy to Supply Class A. After successful legal arguments were made on D’s behalf, D was permitted to appear by video link from HMP Lewes for the entirety of the trial. Despite D’s DNA being present on the drugs, D was acquitted of all three counts on the indictment after a full trial.

R v Q

Harrow Crown Court 

Q faced one count of Possession of an Imitation Firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Q accepted that he was in possession of the imitation firearm but disputed that he ever had the requisite intent for the offence to be made out. Rebecca carefully cross-examined the complainant and made a successful submission of No Case to Answer. The case against Q was dismissed.

R v A

Snaresbrook Crown Court 

Rebecca represented A who faced one count of knife-point robbery. This offence allegedly took place within the complainant’s flat. A agreed that he was present in the flat and that he had been consuming alcohol and drugs throughout the night. Despite injuries to the complainant and significant signs of a disturbance inside the flat, A was unanimously acquitted of robbery after a full trial.

R v J

Kingston Crown Court

J pleaded guilty to Conveying a List A Article into Prison, namely cannabis. Despite case law confirming that the default position for those convicted of taking contraband items into prison is an immediate custodial sentence, S was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment wholly suspended for 12 months.