New Park Court Chambers

Crime

Fiona Lamb only accepts instructions for the defence and has developed a very busy practice. She completed a reduced pupillage at Farringdon Chambers in London under the supervision of Ian Henderson (now K.C). Fiona began tenancy after only 9 months of pupillage. She joined New Park Court Chambers in February 2016 after 16 months of practice on the South Eastern Circuit.

Fiona goes above and beyond for her clients. She is able to adopt a variety of approaches which allows her to greatly assist those with mental health issues in particular. Fiona’s passion and diligence whilst defending her clients is plain to see. She has often been commended on the quality of her closing speeches.

Led Briefs

• R v AA - Operation Silver (Newcastle Crown Court) - Conspiracy to produce cannabis. Led by Paul Rooney from Fountain Chambers and instructed by Asghar & Co Solicitors. The first trial commenced in August 2023 but the jury were discharged. The trial is currently listed in August 2024 and is expected to last 5 weeks.
• R v MP – Operation Slayley (Newcastle Crown Court) – Conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Led by Paul Rooney from Fountain Chambers and Instructed by Forrester Solicitors for D1. Following a 14 week trial, MP was unanimously convicted of both counts. He was sentenced to 9 years’ imprisonment.
• R v MJ - Operation Slaley (Newcastle Crown Court) - Conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Led by Gavin Doig and instructed by Forrester Solicitors for D3. MJ pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 5 years and 11 months’ imprisonment.

Sexual offences

• R v BF (Newcastle Crown Court) - Attempted rape of a child under 13 years and other sexual offences. This case involved the attempted rape and other penetrative sexual offences against an 11 year old girl. BF also committed penetrative sexual offences against her 12 year old sister. BF was sentenced to 33 years custody made up of a custodial element of 27 years and 6 years extended sentence. Following the disclosure of further relevant material at the pre-recording of the cross-examination, the Judge expressed that Fiona had “dealt with it exceptionally and with a very cool head”. She was praised for her professionalism throughout the case. She was further praised by the Judge for her “careful, detailed and commendable written submissions” submitted for the sentencing hearing.
• R v RM (Newcastle Crown Court) - Rape of a child under 13 years and other sexual offences. This case involved the prolonged sexual abuse and rape of a 5 year old girl by RM who was 50 years old at the time. He pleaded guilty to 5/11 counts on the indictment, including perverting the course of justice, and had a trial on the remaining counts which all involved penetrative sexual activity and rape. He was convicted unanimously of all counts and received a custodial sentence of 22 years, plus 1 years extended licence. The case was prosecuted by King’s Counsel. Fiona was praised for dealing with the case with “great sensitivity, care and skill”.
• R v ACK (Durham Crown Court) – Rape of a child under 13 years and other sexual offences. The case involved rape and other sexual offences of a male child under 13 years (between 7-9 years) and ACK who was then aged between 15-17 years. The complaint had been made 25 years later. ACK was convicted after trial of all counts on the indictment. He was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.

Violence

• R v MR (Newcastle Crown Court) - Attempted murder. Instructed as a junior alone in an attempted murder trial which lasted 5 days. The case involved complex issues relating to fitness to plead and intent. MR was convicted and sentenced to 16 years imprisonment with a 3 year extended licence period.
• R v AN (Newcastle Crown Court) - Affray. Unanimously acquitted after 5 days in trial. Case involved a neighbour dispute which resulted in AN striking a female neighbour in the face with a spade. The incident was captured on mobile phone footage. Case involved the cross-examination of 7 civilian witnesses and a large amount of unused material relating to previous incidents and hate crimes. Case involved alleged racism from both parties.
• R v SK (Teesside Crown Court) – Attempt GBH with intent. Secured an acquittal on counts of attempted GBH with intent of a prison officer and possession of a weapon inside a prison. Previous convictions for possession of weapons inside prisons and numerous serious assaults on prison officers committed in three different prisons went before the jury. SK avoided an inevitable finding of dangerousness as a result of the acquittals. Case involved uncommon issues surrounding heightened security, handcuffs applications and his notoriety. SK appeared on the Channel 4 documentary, “Prisons”.

Drugs

• R v KO and Others - Operation Withington (Newcastle Crown Court) - Importation of Class A drugs. Secured a unanimous acquittal after 5 days in trial for an offence of importing a Class A drug (Opium) from Iran involving 3 defendants. KO accepted making 6 phone calls to DHL seeking delivery of the package which contained a gear for a commercial food mixer with 1.65kg of Opium hidden inside. Co-defendant was sentenced to 7 years’ custody.
• R v KH (Lincoln Crown Court) – Production of cannabis and PWITS cannabis. Instructed in a multi-handed case involving the production of cannabis and possessing cannabis with the intention of supplying it to another. Case involved cell site analysis and served material of over 10,500 pages. KH pleaded guilty.
• R v TD (Newcastle Crown Court). Represented TD who entered two guilty pleas to cultivation of cannabis. Following unnecessary delays an abuse of argument was made on behalf of TD. The argument was successful, the indictment was stayed and the case dismissed.

Fraud & Dishonesty

• R v CLT & SS – Operation Opaque (Newcastle Crown Court). Fiona represents 2/17 defendants involved in various offences including making false statement intending to defraud the revenue (£1.3m) and money laundering. All defendants await sentence.
• R v DB and Others – Operation Minted (Durham Crown Court) - Conspiracy to sell counterfeit tobacco. DB was three out of five on the indictment. He was charged with three counts including conspiracy to sell/supply counterfeit tobacco products. The case involved a high page count with a huge volume of undercover surveillance footage following a lengthy investigation by Durham County Council. The estimated turnover of the conspiracy was in the region of £1.2m. DB entered guilty pleas to supplying tobacco without a combined health warning in relation to the tobacco products stored in his loft. All Defendants were sentenced to immediate custody with DB sentenced to 10 months’.
• R v AC (Teesside Crown Court) – Fraud against elderly mother. Unanimously acquitted after 5 days in trial. The allegations were that AC had stolen and fraudulently obtained over £16,000 from her mother. At the time of the alleged offences the IP was suffering from dementia and cancer. The IP was deceased at the time of trial and her evidence was adduced as hearsay. The IP’s son gave evidence against AC as well as a number of carers. AC accepted making the withdrawals which she said she had done with the IP’s permission.

Other

• R v MO (Newcastle Crown Court) – Perverting the course of justice and manslaughter. MO provided the police with a false alibi after her partner had punched a man resulting in his death. The offence persisted during two police interviews until the truth was finally admitted. MO was sentenced to 9 months’ custody suspended for 18 months’ with various requirements.
• R v MCA – Operation Dreams (Newcastle Crown Court) – Conspiracy to commit arson. MCA (D4) was one of ten defendants involved in various conspiracies. MCA pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cause arson and failing to surrender. MCA was the arsonist. MCA was sentenced to 14 months’ custody.
• R v TB (Teesside Crown Court) – Death by careless driving. Sentenced to 9 months suspended for 2 years.

North Eastern Circuit Middle Temple Board Member and Student Mentor - Leeds Law School Advisory Board (since 2019)