News & Events: Criminal
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 […]
Defendant pleads guilty after hearing opening of case by Sarah Jones QC
A man with a history of stalking offences pleaded guilty to one count of encouraging another to aid and abet murder by providing a gun and ammunition and one count of making a threat to kill. Matthias Brandt, of Horsham Road, Swindon, had initially denied claims he planned to kill his ex-partner. However he changed […]
Sarah Jones QC successfully represents client accused of attempted murder
Sarah Jones QC has successfully represented a man arrested over the attempted murder of his first girlfriend following a four day trial at Portsmouth Crown Court. The defendant had been accused of attacking his ex-partner with a 2.5in tomato knife leaving her with six wounds and a cut thumb and finger. Members of the jury […]
HHJ Anne Brown
Pump Court Chambers is delighted to announce that Anne Brown has been appointed a Circuit Judge. Anne will sit at Kingston Crown Court. On joining Chambers, Anne gained a reputation as one of the leading juniors on the Western Circuit maintaining a strong and loyal following from local firms and gaining recognition from the leading […]
HHJ Judge Cottle
We are deeply saddened by the tragic news that one of our former members of chambers H.H. Judge Cottle has passed away. Graham Cottle was an exceptional barrister and having joined from 4 Pump Court he quickly built up a very successful criminal practice on Circuit before being elevated to the Bench. He had been […]
Criminal Practitioners
Does life on Circuit, within easy reach of London, appeal to you? We are a busy, successful and expanding Criminal Team in a large common law 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 […]
New criminal pupils
We are pleased to announce that Chambers have two working Pupils available for court work from 2nd April 2019. Alice Scott Stephanie Painter Chambers are happy to offer the following fixed fees for the Magistrates Court Work. Trial 1 day £175 Trial half day £125 Short hearing including Sentences £75 If you wish to book […]
Third-six criminal pupillage vacancy
Pump Court Chambers’ busy criminal team is looking for an able and enthusiastic third-six pupil, to work primarily on the Western Circuit, typically in Winchester, Southampton and Bournemouth for six months, with a view to tenancy. We prosecute and defend across all areas of criminal work, including the most serious and complex cases. We are […]
Congratulations to Sarah Jones QC
Congratulations to Sarah Jones QC as she leaves Chambers to travel to Westminster, where she will be appointed Queen’s Counsel in today’s ceremony. Pump Court Chambers would like to extend our best wishes to all 108 new silks announced today. For further information, please click here.
