AREAS OF PRACTICE Criminal Law: Bill has defended in a wide range of serious criminal matters including fraud, money laundering, blackmail, kidnapping, GBH, child cruelty, rape, manslaughter and murder. Regulatory: Bill has a particular interest in Fire Authority and Health & Safety prosecutions, which developed from his earlier career as a fire officer in the London Fire Brigade. Bill is a qualified fire engineer (Grad.I.Fire E. and M.I.Fire E.), and was heavily involved in Health & Safety since its inception in 1974. Bill has appeared in numerous cases in both the Magistrates Court and the Crown Court, involving serious breaches of the regulations. Bill is a forceful advocate when required, but is equally at ease dealing with vulnerable clients and witnesses. Bill's experience from his previous working life helps him deal with all types of people in a sympathetic and professional way.
Recent Cases Leicester CC - R v Miller - 8 defendant 6 site cannabis “industrial” production conspiracy with a legitimate business front involved (not guilty). Maidstone CC - R v Esqulant - blackmail of Santander & bomb hoax in Kent. Article link Maidstone CC - R v Evans - arson reckless as to endangering life. Acquitted despite previous arson offence. Fire service knowledge was important. Harrow CC - R v Murray - Conspiracy to Transfer Prohibited Weapons - sourcing and reactivating a large number of firearms and ammunition. Article link Snaresbrook CC - R v Bhamjee - High value car thefts conspiracy using very sophisticated methods. Article link Woolwich CC – LB Southwark v Chaudhary - fraud concerning false advertising of and selling businesses in LB Southwark - defence representations caused trial to collapse on fourth day (not guilty). Blackfriars CC - R v Kalra - 11 defendant Conspiracy to Handle Stolen Phones and ship abroad (£4 million). Woolwich CC - R v Piddington - 8 defendant Conspiracy to Pervert - grenade and firearm attack on a witness (not guilty). Article link Bolton CC - Rape - Sleep walking and ‘sleep sex’ case - non-insane automatism - expert evidence from crown and defence. Norwich CC - R v Chilton - 12 defendant kidnap and torture case (not guilty). Article link Southwark CC - R v Sivananthan - £140 million Money Laundering Conspiracy using Bureau De Change (not guilty). Article link Southwark CC - R v Grisales - Importation of 100 kg Cocaine in bananas. Article link Reading CC – Berkshire Fire Authority v Bhullar & Bellforce – very serious breaches of Fire Regulations for a 30 bedroom HMO - complex case including Autrefois Convict issues - charges reduced and favourable plea basis secured. Maidstone CC - R v Adams - 10 defendant Conspiracy to Supply £2.5 million Cocaine & Cultivate Cannabis. Wolverhampton CC - R v Rama - £4 million Money Laundering Conspiracy using Hawala system.
Some older cases Lewes CC – murder – led junior – strangulation. CCC – manslaughter – led junior. CCC – murder – led junior - firebombing of house – ‘honour crime’. CCC – historic rape of daughter and child neglect. Snaresbrook CC – £1.5 million fraud on Social Security. Reading CC – armed robbery of shops using samurai sword and a sword. Kingston CC - £4 million Money Laundering using Bureau de Changes. |
