St John's Buildings

Crime

Simon has a broad criminal practice, both defending and prosecuting. His work ranges from everyday crime to serious offences, including homicide and serious sexual offences.

Since 2008 Simon has been a Category 4 prosecutor for the CPS (Northern Circuit & Wales Circuit) and was re-appointed to that grade together with the rape panel in 2012.

Simon has particular expertise in multi-handed drug conspiracy cases, both for the prosecution and the defence. In recent years he has prosecuted the majority of covert drugs operations conducted by Cheshire Police (see below). With Simon’s previous experience within the College of Policing he has developed a detailed expert knowledge of the tactical and legal issues in covert policing cases.

He has developed an expertise and interest, both for the defence and the prosecution, in cases involving mental health issues and in particular autistic spectrum disorders. Simon also is extremely experienced in representing young defendants where again he provides supportive and sensitive representation for clients and their families.

Simon graduated from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1996 with an LL.B (Hons.) degree and was the winner of the Bevan Ashford Prize. Following the Bar Vocational Course in London, Simon was Called to the Bar by Inner Temple in 1997. He joined White Friars Chambers in 1997 and has practised from Chester ever since.