Profile description
Chris has prosecuted and defended in fraud cases of all types, including giving pre-charge advice in potential MTIC and money-laundering cases. He has successfully conducted VAT fraud cases involving companies and company directors (e.g. R v Bayly; Harrow Crown Court).
Chris appears in the most serious criminal cases. He has appeared as either leading or sole Counsel in many homicide cases including sexually motivated killing (R v Coates); the murder by a woman of her partner on the day of his release from prison (R v Carter) and joint enterprise Murder.
He has prosecuted gang violence cases, including leading in a 20 Defendant case at Woolwich Crown Court (all convicted). He has appeared in many cases involving allegations of organised criminal activity including drugs and violence. He has long experience of Flying Squad and HMRC cases and those involving all forms of sensitive material, surveillance and PII. He has considerable experience of kidnapping cases and those involving firearms.
Sexual Offences
Chris is on the CPS Rape Prosecution list for London and the South Eastern Circuit at Level 4. He has enormous experience of both prosecuting and defending in sexual cases, whether historical allegations or those involving children or other vulnerable witnesses or defendants; including the use of the full range of special measures and intermediaries. He has appeared in cases involving multiple complainants and allegations of sexual abuse spanning several decades.
Chris successfully defended a man on life licence charged with 5 offences of rape and other offences of violence (R v D; Isleworth Crown Court). Chris also succeeded in the defence of a mother jointly charged with other family members of the abuse of a very young child (R v G; Maidstone Crown Court). He recently prosecuted a case involving transmission of HIV through sexual abuse resulting in the imposition of a life sentence.
Professional Discipline & Regulatory
Chris has been instructed to prosecute in corporate manslaughter arising from gross negligence in the building industry (R v Swift & Swift Roofing Ltd).
