Serious crime, criminal/civil fraud.
All areas of criminal defence work undertaken. Stephen has led a number of cases, including large-scale drug importations and conspiracies to launder money. Instructed as junior defence counsel in trials concerning: conspiracy to murder, murder, large-scale drug importations, rape and sexual assaults, conspiracy to launder money, conspiracy to defraud, theft, endangering safety of aircraft, and human trafficking. Instructed as sole defence counsel in trials concerning mandatory life sentences, human trafficking, money laundering, violence (including attempted murder, aggravated burglary, GBH (ss18 and 20), false imprisonment, firearms, armed robbery, robbery, threats to kill, riot, violent disorder and child cruelty), indecency (including rape, attempted rape, indecent assault and gross indecency), dishonesty (conspiracy to steal and all theft act matters, blackmail and perverting the course of justice), fraud (including conspiracy to defraud, DSS, false accounting and car ringing), drugs (including large-scale importations, conspiracy to supply and possession with intent) and asset forfeiture (DTA 1994, CJA 1988, POCA 2002). Recent notable cases: R v Papy ONINA (CCC) rape of autistic child; R v Ronald Harrison [2004] EWCA Crim 494; [2004] EWCA Crim 1792 (CCC and C of A) murder, similar fact evidence; R v Rawson Watson (CCC), theft of £1.5m and endangering aircraft – ‘Mile Heist Club: James Bond – man hidden in lining of cargo hold’; R v Ashley Pryer [2004] EWCA Crim 1163, submission of no case – principle of ‘plums and duff’; R v Alfred Henderson (Southwark Crown Court), £3m money laundering, bureaux de change – abuse of process – PII – Butterfield Report re: HM Customs conduct; R v Andrew Hunter (Bristol Crown Court), £62m/700kgs cocaine importation; R v Victor Dark (Norwich Crown Court), conspiracy to murder, murder (‘bad character’: autobiographical references to ‘How to Rob Banks and Influence People’ and television documentary ‘Hard Bastards’); R v Peter Blake and Others (Central Criminal Court) conspiracy to rob £1.75m from Heathrow Airport; R v Gareth Davies (Central Criminal Court), murder of Harrods shop assistant Egeli Rasta – jogger on Mitcham Common; and R v Lea Rusha and Others (Central Criminal Court), conspiracy to rob Securitas, Tonbridge, Kent of £53m.