News & Events: Criminal
The Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Bill
The Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Bill was introduced into Parliament on the 3rd February 2020, as ‘emergency legislation’ in response to the Streatham Hill terrorist attack that took place on 2nd February 2020. This terrorist incident followed two other attacks by men who had also been convicted of terrorism offences and had recently […]
Stephanie Painter joins Pump Court Chambers
Pump Court is pleased to welcome Stephanie Painter to Chambers following successful completion of her pupillage. During her time at Chambers she has built a mixed common law practice, accepting instructions across a range criminal, civil, and family matters in line with her chambers profile and with a particular focus on criminal matters. Prior to […]
Tim Akers secures conviction following fatal crash
After a week long-trial at Winchester Crown Court involving the presentation of a variety of technical and scientific evidence, Tim Akers (Prosecuting), successfully secured the conviction of a Defendant for two offences of causing death by dangerous driving on the A34 at Bullington Cross. At the conclusion of the trial, the Defendant was sentenced to […]
Does life on Circuit, within easy reach of London, appeal to you?
Join us We are a busy, successful Criminal and Disciplinary & Regulatory Team in a large common law set of chambers. We have a clear surplus of good work. We need committed and enthusiastic practitioners across the board to take it up. Based in the beautiful Cathedral City of Winchester we practise predominantly in Southampton, […]
Mark Ashley successfully represents client accused of Conspiracy to carry out Armed Robbery
Mark Ashley has successfully defended a woman who was one of nine co-defendants charged with Conspiracy to commit Armed Robbery. The target premises was Franses Jewelers of Bournemouth and over £650,000 worth of watches and jewellery was taken during the raid in March of 2019. The gang that carried out the robbery travelled down […]
Members appear for Prosecution and the Defence in complex child cruelty trial
Sarah Jones QC / Frank Abbott and James Newton-Price QC / Andy Houston appear for the Prosecution and the Defence respectively in a long and complex child cruelty trial at Southampton Crown Court. Sarah Jones QC and Frank Abbott prosecuted a female defendant who was charged with multiple offences of causing grievous bodily harm […]
Couple who abused vulnerable young boys successfully prosecuted
James Newton-Price QC and Andrew Houston successfully prosecuted a male couple who abused vulnerable young boys at their home in Southampton from 2000 to 2005. The leading defendant received an extended sentence of 23 years for rape and multiple sexual offences, following his conviction after a trial lasting four weeks. He was investigated by the […]
Sarah Jones QC defending murder suspect
Sarah Jones QC of Pump Court Chambers is currently defending murder suspect Shaun Dyson accused of killing his estranged wife. Mr Dyson, 28, is accused of killing, Lucy-Anne Rushton by repeatedly stamping and jumping on her at her home in Andover, Hampshire. A jury at Winchester Crown Court heard a tearful Mr Dyson say “I […]
Woman avoids jail for attempting to blackmail Premier League footballer
A woman who was filmed in bed with a cheating Premier League footballer has avoided jail, having attempted to blackmail him. The footballer, who has lifelong anonymity, requested that Natalie Wood, 28, send him sexual videos, before arranging to meet her in a hotel. A plan was then hatched for two men to burst in […]
The Murder of Lucy McHugh: Legal Challenges in R v Stephen Nicholson
I was instructed to defend Stephen Nicholson, aged 25, who was charged with the murder and multiple sexual offences against Lucy McHugh, a 13-year-old girl. The trial took place before Mrs. Justice May at Winchester Crown Court earlier this year. Nicholson lived as a lodger in the same house as Lucy and her family in […]
Homelessness & Offending Rates – An inextricable link
The Homelessness Reduction Act (HRA) 2017 came into effect on 3rd April 2018 and places new legal duties on local authorities so that everyone who is homeless, or at risk of homelessness, should have access to meaningful help, irrespective of their priority need status, as long as they are eligible for assistance. The Act amends […]
Case Commentary – R v O [2019] EWCA 1389
Introduction 1. In R v O [2019] EWCA Crim 1389, the Court of Appeal gave further guidance on when a conviction may be unsafe where the defendant was a Victim of Trafficking (“VOT”). The Court concluded that there is a “settled approach to these cases”. This approach requires three questions to be posed: 1) Is […]
