Victoria Meads

Overview

Victoria is a highly regarded and experienced criminal defence practitioner appearing as both Leading Junior and Junior alone. She is regularly instructed in cases involving sexual offences, historical sexual offences, conspiracy to supply/import drugs, child cruelty, serious violence, firearms and homicide. She has significant experience in cases involving multiple defendants and is particularly knowledgeable and specialised in telephone and cell site evidence.

Notable Cases

Serious Violence:

Defendant unanimously acquitted of Possession of Firearm with Intent to Cause Fear of Violence and 3 x s18 shooting. R v O'Sullivan, Chelmsford Crown Court, (2018). Defendant acquitted of possession of firearm with intent further to successful submission of no case to answer and thereafter unanimously acquitted by the jury following trial of 3 x s18 and dangerous driving.

Case stayed following successful Abuse of Process Application due to disclosure issues - R v Peach (2018) Chelmsford Crown Court. Acquitted of serious violence in domestic setting. Junior alone

Defendant acquitted of s18 malicious wounding - R v McDonagh (2018) Snaresbrook Crown Court. Defendant acquitted of serious violence alleged between members of travelling community. Junior alone

Defendant acquitted s20 GBH - R v Dewar (2018) Southwark Crown Court. Acquitted following trial. Junior alone

Defendant acquitted of allegations of serious and persistent child cruelty - R v L (2018) Croydon Crown Court. Junior alone.

Led Junior in Murder Trial involving two defendants in a conspiracy to stab the deceased in a revenge attack following an argument. R v G (2017) Central Criminal Court. Led by Peter Finnigan Q.C. Convicted following Trial.

Defendant acquitted Conspiracy to Commit s18 Wounding following successful half time submission - R v PZK Birmingham Crown Court (2017). Led by Stephen Kamlish QC.

Junior alone in high-profile Conspiracy to commit Violent Disorder reported on BBC and ITV - R v Randall (2017) Basildon Crown Court. Client accused of planning and participating in a football-related Violent Disorder involving members of the 'CS Crew' resulting in life-changing injuries to the complainant.

Prosecution Offer No Evidence on Attempted Murder following Abuse of Process Application relating to Disclosure - R v FK Birmingham Crown Court (2016) Led by Stephen Kamlish QC

Drugs Offences

Defendant acquitted of Conspiracy to Supply £10 million cannabis.  R v Badland (2018) Woolwich Crown Court.  
Defendant was accused together with four others, of conspiracy to import and supply over £10 million worth of cannabis.  The Prosecution relied upon telephone and cell site evidence in the case against this defendant which they abandoned in their closing address as a result of the cross examination of their expert by Miss Meads.  The defendant was acquitted by unanimous jury following five week trial.  Junior alone.

Successful Appeal Against Conviction for Conspiracy to Supply Class A Defendant Acquitted at retrial. R v Wasim Ali (2017) CoA & Cardiff Crown Court. Victoria represented Mr Wali before the Court of Appeal in Appeal against Conviction based on wrongful admission of evidence. The Court of Appeal ruled the conviction unsafe. Victoria represented Mr Ali at the retrial at which he was unanimously acquitted. Junior alone.

Sexual Offences

Defendant acquitted in multi-handed Rape trial - R v MM (2018) Inner London Crown Court. Defendant accused of historical rape involving extremely vulnerable complainant with mental health issues. Defendant acquitted unanimously following trial. Junior alone

Defendant acquitted historical sexual offences. R v MK (2018) Wood Green Crown Court. Defendant accused of routinely sexually abusing young niece. Acquitted by unanimous jury. Junior alone

Defendant acquitted of historical offences of having sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13 years. R v WT (2018) Wood Green Crown Court. Defendant accused of historical sexual offences against a family member - due to the age of allegations, this case involved issues of doli incapax and complex legal argument on certain counts. Junior alone

Leading Junior in serious multi-handed People Trafficking - R v Boros (2017) Central Criminal Court - first case to deal with Slavery and Trafficking Prevention and Risk Orders.

Led Junior - representing first defendant accused of being ringleader of paedophile ring in 1970s - R v Grainger (2016) Mold Crown Court

Led Junior - representing first defendant in Oxfordshire case concerning paedophile ring targeting extremely vulnerable girls - R v Ahmed (2015) Oxford Crown Court.

Fraud/Theft

Leading Junior - Defendant acquitted of high-value Conspiracy to commit Fraud - R v Gardener (2017) Bristol Crown Court - Leading Junior in complex fraud involving car finance. Case involving extensive electronic material.

Defendant acquitted high-value Conspiracy to Steal - R v Badland (2013) Blackfriars Crown Court - multi-handed trial alleging conspiracy to steal 1.1 million pounds of railway track. Case involving extensive telephone evidence and cell site.

Miscellaneous

Defendant acquitted death by careless driving - R v Akram (2018) Blackfriars Crown Court. Case involving extensive forensic investigation evidence and significant difference in opinion between experts.