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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · 8d

Violet Smart successfully represented GM who had been convicted of breach of a restraining order.

Violet was instructed by Rosie Worster of Commons Law.

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Successful appeal against conviction

Violet Smart successfully represented GM who had been convicted of breach of a restraining order.

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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · 8d

Farrhat Arshad KC secures multiple acquittals.

Farrhat was instructed by Martin Rackstraw of Russell Cooke solicitors.

www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/farrhat...

Farrhat Arshad KC secures multiple acquittals

Following a four week trial at the Gloucester Crown Court, Farrhat Arshad KC’s client was acquitted of three counts of rap

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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · 10d

The September 2025 Criminal Appeals Bulletin is now live!

This issue covers summaries and commentary on appeals against conviction and appeals against sentence.

Read in full here: www.doughtystreet.co.uk/sites/defaul...

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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · 10d

Following a retrial at Southwark Crown Court, a defendant investigated for 6 years by the FCA has been acquitted by a jury.

Kate O’Raghallaigh and Graeme Hall were instructed by Kiran Mehta, consultant at Lartey’s Solicitors.

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Acquittal in prosecution by FCA of boiler room fraud

Following a retrial at Southwark Crown Court, a defendant investigated for 6 years by the FCA has been acquitted by a jury.

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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · 10d

The Administrative Court quashes Judge’s extradition decision - Anna Maj, and Gonul Guney, Director of GSG Law Solicitors, instructed Abigail post-decision to advise on the merits of applying for permission to appeal.

Admin. Court quashes Judge’s extradition decision

The Respondent today withdrew its opposition to P’s application to set aside as wrong a district judge’s decision to order extradition. P was the subject of a valid c

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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · 23d

Jessie Smith and Henry Blaxland KC secure acquittal on a count of murder following a 10-week trial at Woolwich Crown Court.

Counsel were instructed by Ali Has of Morgan Has Solicitor.

Jessie Smith and Henry Blaxland KC secure murder acquittal

Jessie Smith and Henry Blaxland KC secure acquittal on a count of murder following a 10-week trial at Woolwich Crown Court.

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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · 23d

The High Court upheld a judicial review by a vulnerable autistic man accused of cyber crime, establishing new defence rights within the Extradition Act 2003 in a victory for natural justice.

Guy Mitchell and Francesca Cociani at @hjacriminaldefence.bsky.social instruct Ben Cooper KC & Amelia Nice.

Competing extradition requests: Justice Minister’s decision quashed - natural justice prevails

The High Court upheld a judicial review by a vulnerable autistic man accused of cyber crime, establishing new defence rights within the Extradition Act 2003 in a

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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · 25d

Woman taken off Children’s Barred List - Omran Belhadi, instructed by Ghazi Abbas of Knightsbridge Solicitors, represented AB, a woman placed on the Children’s Barred List. This prevented her from working with children and vulnerable adults.

Woman taken off Children’s Barred List

Omran Belhadi, instructed by Ghazi Abbas of Knightsbridge Solicitors,

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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · 26d

Bomb hoaxes: Custody suspended - Gonul Guney, Director of GSG Law Solicitors, and Anna Maj, instructed Abigail Bright.

www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/bomb-ho...

Bomb hoaxes: Custody suspended

O called Police to say he had bombs in his home. He said he planned to set them off. O said he was ready to carry out a terrorist attack if anyone approached him.

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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · Sep 8

Acquitted: Intentional strangulation & other counts.

Samayra Ashraf at ITN Solicitors instructed Abigail to defend LJ at trial.

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Acquitted: Intentional strangulation & other counts

LJ and the Complainant have a child together.

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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · Sep 5

Following a 10 day trial at Harrow Crown Court sitting at Hendon Magistrates, Tunde’s client was acquitted of multiple counts of rape.

Tunde Okewale was instructed by Kate Nichol at @gtstewart.bsky.social.

www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/tunde-o...

Tunde Okewale secures acquittal for client in 10 day trial at Harrow Crown Court

Following a 10 day trial at Harrow Crown Court sitting at Hendon Magistrates, Tunde’s client was acquitted of multiple counts of rape.

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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · Sep 2

Hospital Order with Restrictions imposed for Manslaughter (Diminished Responsibility)

Benjamin Newton KC and Jessie Smith, instructed by Sevim Tonbul of Morgan Has Solicitors, represented GT who had killed his partner in 2024.

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Hospital Order with Restrictions imposed for Manslaughter (Diminished Responsibility)

Benjamin Newton KC and Jessie Smith, instructed by

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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · Aug 21

Sarah Elliott KC Secures Acquittal for Critical Care Doctor in Rape Trial.

Sarah was instructed by Adam Weston of Clyde and Co solicitors.

www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/sarah-e...

Sarah Elliott KC Secures Acquittal for Critical Care Doctor in Rape Trial

Sarah Elliott KC has successfully defended a Critical Care Unit doctor after a six day trial for an allegation of rape.

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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · Aug 8

Sean Summerfield and Samayra Ashraf (ITN Solicitors) successfully defend 63-year-old man accused of rape.

www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/sean-su...

Sean Summerfield and Samayra Ashraf (ITN Solicitors) successfully defend 63-year-old man accused of rape

It was alleged that the defendant had groomed the younger man over the course of 2 years. The defendant was acquitted in under 2 hours by a jury at Manchester Crown Court following a 2-week trial.

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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · Aug 6

Violet Smart, led by Nick James of 33 Chancery Lane chambers, represented PA, a woman of good character charged with fraudulent trading. Following a three-month trial at St Alban’s Crown Court, she was acquitted by the jury.

Violet and Nick were instructed by Tricia O'Sullivan of Sperrin Law.

Violet Smart’s client acquitted in multi-million pound fraud following 12-week trial

Violet Smart, led by Nick James of 33 Chancery Lane chambers, represented PA, a woman of good character charged with fraudulent

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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · Aug 6

Laura Stockdale’s client found not guilty of supply of wholesale quantities of cocaine - Laura was instructed by Stephanie Theivendrarajah at Bark & Co Solicitors.

Laura Stockdale’s client found not guilty of supply of wholesale quantities of cocaine

Laura Stockdale’s client EM stood trial with two other defendants for being concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs at Lewes Crown Court.

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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · Jul 31

United Nations Special Rapporteur granted permission to intervene in Palestine Action judicial review against terrorism proscription decision - Adam Straw KC and Rabah Kherbane act for UN Special Rapporteur, instructed by Daniel Machover and Laura Chapman of @hickmanandrose.co.uk

United Nations Special Rapporteur granted permission to intervene in Palestine Action judicial review against terrorism proscription decision

Professor Ben Saul’s mandate as the UN Special Rapporteur on Counter-Terrorism on Human Rights has been granted permission to intervene in the case of R (Ammori) v Secretary of State for Home D

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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · Jul 31

After 28 years, and 3 appeals, Katy Thorne KC and Peta-Louise Bagott secure the quashing of wrongful murder conviction of Justin Plummer in the Court of Appeal. They were instructed by Annalisa Moscardini of TBI Scanlans Solicitors.

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Court of Appeal quash murder conviction of Justin Plummer after 28 years in prison

After 28 years, and 3 appeals, Katy Thorne KC and Pet

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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · Jul 30

In late April 2025 Jonathan Lennon KC was instructed by Lin Hou of Zhong Lun Law Firm. Using POCA Pt 5 powers Cheshire Police secured Account Freezing Orders against 7 bank accounts held by a Chinese student who was studying at the time in the UK.

www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/jonatha...

Jonathan Lennon KC | Another Successful AFO Challenge

Cheshire Police v C

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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · Jul 29

Court of Appeal allows extension of time to appeal against historic conviction for murder.

Annabel Timan is instructed by Nora Talbi at EBR Attridge and the appeal is supported by the Centre for Women's Justice.

www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/court-a...

Court of Appeal allows extension of time to appeal against historic conviction for murder.

On 25 July 2025, at a renewed application for leave to appeal, the court allowed an extension of 8 years and referred the appeal to the full court to consider fresh psychiatric evidence and social

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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · Jul 28

Maryam was instructed by and advised alongside Francesca Reason and Lauren Dennis of Birketts Solicitors. After a 6 day trial, the defendant was unanimously acquitted of all three counts in under 3 hours of deliberations.

Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · Jul 28

Maryam represented a retired senior Trader charged with historical sexual assault.

www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/maryam-...

Maryam Mir's client acquitted of historical sexual assault charges

Maryam represented a retired senior Trader charged with historical sexual assault.

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Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team @doughtystcrime.bsky.social · Jul 15

Ben Cooper KC overturns unlawful search warrant in extradition case.

Ben Cooper KC, instructed by Sundeep Soor, represented a client who was the subject of a police search warrant executed at both his business and home premises: www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/ben-coo...

Ben Cooper KC overturns unlawful search warrant in extradition case

Ben Cooper KC, instructed by Sundeep So

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Reposted by Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team

Doughty Street Chambers @doughtystreet.bsky.social · Jul 14

Chambers is delighted that four King's Counsel and three junior counsel have been recognised in the Doyle’s Guide 2025 as leading barristers in crime:

- Tim Moloney KC
- Liam Walker KC
- Richard Thomas KC
- Ben Newton KC
- Piers Marquis
- Kate O’Raghallaigh
- Rabah Kherbane

Doyle’s Guide 2025 rankings recognise seven members of Doughty Street Chambers as leading barristers

Chambers is delighted that four King's Counsel and three junior counsel have been recognised in the Doyle’s Guide 2025 as leading barristers in crime.

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Reposted by Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team

Doughty Street Chambers @doughtystreet.bsky.social · Jul 14

Omran Belhadi represented AP, a young man of good character charged with several offences of dealing Class A drugs.

Omran was instructed and expertly assisted by Ellie Bird at HJA Solicitors (@hodgejonesallen.bsky.social) incorporating Birds Solicitors.

www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/prosecu...

Prosecution offer no evidence following service of abuse of process argument

Omran Belhadi represented AP, a young man of good character charged with several offences of dealing

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