News & Events: Criminal
Pump Court Chambers welcomes four new tenants
We are delighted to announce that Rukan Hazar, Palak Sikri, Isabella Thomas-Kelly and Emily Chapman have accepted offers to join chambers, following the successful completion of their probationary tenancies. Rukan Hazar (2019 call) accepts instructions at all stages of litigation in family, civil, and criminal proceedings. In family proceedings, she accepts instructions in matrimonial finance, […]
Rebecca Fairbairn and Christopher Pix prosecute man convicted of attempted murder
Following a three-week trial at Bournemouth Crown Court, Ainsley Greer was found guilty of the attempted murder of a neighbour in a hostel in Bournemouth. The victim suffered life-changing injuries to his brain, most of his ribs were fractured and his ankle severely broken. This was a complex trial which involved a number of prosecution […]
Ed Wylde successfully represents defendant accused of rape
Ed Wylde, instructed by Tang, Bentley & Jackson, represented a man (L) accused of raping, and attempting to rape, a teenage girl on three occasions in the mid-1990s. The defence was one of consent/belief in consent in respect of one allegation of rape, and factual denial in relation to the other allegation of rape and […]
Are we too reliant on sentencing guidelines?
“What am I looking at then?” asks a client charged with assaulting an emergency worker. A pertinent and reasonable question any anxious individual would ask – often before they have even pleaded. Thankfully, the Sentencing Council are on hand to assist and members of the criminal justice system will be all too familiar with the […]
Ellie Fargin prosecutes owner of two dogs who attacked pensioner
The 78-year-old pensioner sustained severe life threatening injuries, requiring hospitalisation for four months, following an attack by two rottweilers on 18 August 2023. He suffered an amputation of his left leg and right arm. Referring to CCTV footage of the incident, Ellie noted that the dogs had been “off lead and their owners were not […]
Pump Court Criminal Law Podcast Episode 3 – Casey Chard
In the latest episode of the Criminal Law podcast, Ed Wylde speaks with Casey Chard about his pupillage experience at Pump Court Chambers, where he provides helpful techniques for how one can make the most out of the process. Casey discusses a number of insights he learned from each of his supervisors and how acquiring […]
Pump Court Criminal Law Podcast Episode 2 – Stephanie Painter
In the second episode of Season 2 of our Criminal Law Podcast, Ed Wylde interviews Stephanie Painter about the techniques for applying for CPS panel grades and directories’ rankings. Stephanie offers valuable insights on suggested training and experience for newly qualified barristers, as well as guidance on how to maintain a balance in life at […]
Pump Court Criminal Law Podcast – Ellie Fargin
In the first episode of Season 2 of our Criminal Law Podcast, Ed Wylde speaks to Ellie Fargin about her recent 5-week RASSO case, involving 10 complainants and offences covering a 40-year period. Ellie was led by Rebecca Fairbairn and offers some useful insights into the different roles of leaders and juniors when working on […]
R v Jones Case Comment: Running diminished responsibility without an expert
Diminished responsibility is one of the partial defences available to those charged with murder. If a defendant is found to have had diminished responsibility during the commission of the offence, they are not acquitted but rather found guilty of voluntary manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. It is a highly complex defence that often requires […]
Sarah Jones KC opens for the Crown in murder on Bournemouth beach case
A criminology student is accused of stabbing two women – killing one and seriously injuring another – after travelling to Bournemouth from South London, having researched how to do a murder and not get caught. Sarah Jones KC prosecutes, leading Edward Culver of the CPS and Casey Chard, who is instructed as disclosure junior. The […]
Jury convict of murder in case prosecuted by Sarah Jones KC, leading Ellie Fargin
In less than an hour of deliberations, the jury rejected the claim put forward by the Defence that the Defendant was guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and convicted of murder. The Defendant, who now identifies as male, had travelled to his mother’s flat and in a fit of rage, fuelled by alcohol, […]
Rebecca Fairbairn, leading Ellie Fargin, prosecute sexual offender in 5-week trial at Portsmouth Crown Court
Instructed by OCSAU (Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit) Rebecca and Ellie prosecuted the 60-year-old man for offences against 10 children between 1976 and 2021. He was convicted of all 28 offences and remanded into custody. The Judge noted he was a prolific offender and a danger to society. In January, he was sentenced to 18 […]
