PracticeAntony is an experienced and skilled defence advocate. He has developed a strong criminal practice in and around London and further afield and is often instructed in cases at the Crown Courts in Birmingham, Nottingham, Leeds, Southampton and Guildford. Antony is regularly instructed in cases involving complex issues of drugs and/or alcohol dependency or mental illness. He has considerable experience of the related issues of fitness to plead, the defence of insanity and the instruction and handling of psychiatrists. He has appeared in the Court of Appeal (R v W & others) as the respondent on an interlocutory appeal by the Crown against a ruling of the trial Judge to sever the trial of issue of an unfit Defendant from the trial of the fit Defendants- see above. This was a novel point of law and was extensively reported ([2009] 1 W.L.R. 1545, [2009] 1 Cr. App. R. 19). He has regularly dealt with young and vulnerable Defendants facing charges in both the Youth and the Crown Court and in the cross-examination of young and vulnerable witnesses, including victims of sexual offences. Many of the aforementioned cases have involved complex expert evidence. Antony has experience of using and/or contesting cell-site evidence, hand-set/SIM statistical comparison, facial mapping, image enhancement and comparison, foot-wear impression evidence, expert psychiatric evidence, expert medical evidence, fingerprint, DNA evidence, hand-writing comparison and forensic accounting.
Antony prides himself on a down to earth approach with both his lay and professional clients. He has cultivated very close and trusting relationships with a number of excellent firms of solicitors that instruct him and have done so for a number of years. He has been commended by leading counsel on the quality of his written work both pre-, post- and during trial. Antony regularly acts on a pro bono basis. He has acted pro bono as prosecution counsel in the private prosecution of a police officer that was alleged to have used excessive force arresting a man whilst off-duty but against whom the police had decided to take no action. The allegation involved repeated strikes with an asp against a man that was already on the ground and not resisting the arrest. Although the prosecution was unsuccessful, the District Judge heavily criticised the level of force used by the Defendant police officer.
Antony has also appeared in prison adjudications and before the 'Nursing and Midwifery Committee. BackgroundAntony has experience in all areas of criminal defence work, including murder, serious violent crime (including gang violence and domestic violence), robbery (including armed robbery), dangerous dogs, serious drugs charges, firearms, serious sexual offences (including rape), fraud and confiscation proceedings. He has regularly appeared in the Court of Appeal in appeals against sentence, an Attorney-General's reference instructed on behalf of the Respondent (R v D M) and as Respondent on an interlocutory appeal by the Crown (R v. W and others). Notable CasesHomicide R v S S (and 8-others)
Junior defence counsel in a multi-handed trial involving charges of murder, conspiracy to commit violent disorder (and witness intimidation). Fraud R v J U at Woolwich Crown Court
Junior defence counsel on a premium rate service revenue inflation fraud.
R v P B at Leeds Crown Court
Defence counsel in an incapacity benefit fraud. This case attracted substantial publicity due to the unusual nature of the fraud.
Violence R v L McF (and 3-others) at Inner London Crown Court
Defence counsel in a trial involving charges of robbery, Section 18, violent disorder and causing explosions with intent. R v L McF and Others (2) at Inner London Crown Court
Represented Defendant in his second trial for separate charges of robbery and Section 18. R v J A at Oxford Crown Court
Defence counsel in a trial involving charges of Section 18 and kidnap. R v W (and 4-others) at Hove Crown Court
Junior defence counsel in a 8-week trial on a charge of conspiracy to rob. The case attracted considerable media interest due to the nature of the robbery. R v K G at Kingston Crown Court
Defence counsel in a trial on a charge of robbery where substantial violence was used and injuries caused by a large gang. Drugs R v P P at Birmingham Crown Court
Defence counsel in a trial representing the first Defendant in a nine handed conspiracy to supply 192-kilos of cannabis. Also represented the Defendant through his associated confiscation proceedings. R v J D at Isleworth Crown Court- Defence counsel in an importation of cocaine trial. The Defendant appeared first on the Indictment. R v R M at Snaresbrook Crown Court
Defence counsel in a case involving charges of conspiracy to import class A (heroin) and conspiracy to supply class A (heroin)- 30-kilos. R v N B at Nottingham Crown Court
Defence counsel in a case alleging the importation of Class C drugs, namely steroids and associated money laundering offences in excess of £200,000. Also represented the Defendant through his associated confiscation proceedings. General R v D M at Nottingham Crown Court
Defence counsel in a case involving offences of possession of Class A with intent (heroin and cocaine), possession of ammunition (44-rounds), possession of an accessory to a firearm (silencer). Also represented the Defendant through his associated confiscation proceedings.
A-G's reference (R v D M) - reference of sentence received in the above case. R v E K at Kingston Crown Court
Defence counsel in a case involving charges of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life. R v P F at Aylesbury Crown Court
Defence counsel in a trial involving charges of inciting children under 16 to engage in sexual activity. R v F at Nottingham Crown Court
Defence counsel in a trial involving charges of conspiracy to supply class A, possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and affray. R v S G at Harrow Crown Court
Defence counsel in a four-handed trial alleging the importation of counterfeit Glaxo-Smithkline asthma inhalers and associated offences under the trademark regulations. Professional Memberships- Criminal Bar Association
- The South Eastern Circuit
Profile updated July 2011
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