News & Events: Criminal
Pump Court Chambers welcomes members of Stour to create southern super set
A major, multi-practice chambers reaching across London, Kent, Hampshire and Wiltshire, has emerged after Pump Court Chambers welcomed the members of Stour Chambers in Canterbury. The former members of Stour Chambers will be joining Pump Court Chambers from 3 April 2023, creating a combined membership of 120 barristers and 24 members of staff spread across […]
Should those convicted of serious offences be compelled to face their victim’s family?
The current Justice Secretary Dominic Raab thinks so. The recent, tragic murders of Sabina Nessa and Zara Aleena have prompted Mr Raab to consider new legislation which will see those convicted of serious offences compelled to attend court and face the families of those they have harmed. Both convicted murderers Jordan McSweeney and Koci Selamaj […]
Research Demonstrates Juries Convict In 58% Of Rape Cases, On Average
Over the period 2007 to 2021, the jury conviction rate for all rape charges stood at an average of 58%, with a high of 75% in 2021, according to new research published in the Criminal Law Review[1]. In 2007, the jury conviction rate was 55%. This research was commissioned by senior judiciary following public concerns […]
The Not-so-Beautiful Game
In February 2023, BBC Radio 5 Live released the results of a questionnaire canvassing the experiences of 927 grassroots referees. The statistics make for grim reading, although will come as little surprise to anyone who has played Sunday league football. Amongst the most notable figures are the following: 375 of respondents had received abuse pertaining […]
Siân Beaven secures conviction and custodial sentence in dangerous dogs case
Siân was instructed by CPS Wessex in the trial before Salisbury Crown Court. The Defendant was convicted after trial of an offence of being an owner/person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury. The case concerned the Defendant’s Belgian Malinois dog, biting the leg of the victim who, at the time, […]
Charles Gabb and Mark Ruffell secure conviction of Hampshire organised crime gang
Charles Gabb and Mark Ruffell prosecuted 18 members of an organised gang, who were sentenced to a combined 33 years and 8 months in prison for their part in the conspiracy to sell cannabis and Class-A drugs. Between April 2019 and December 2020, the gang imported drugs from Europe, Canada and the US, which were […]
Richard Tutt successfully acts for Defendant in Isle of Wight murder trial
Richard Tutt, led by Ignatius Hughes KC, represented Piers Brazier who was found not guilty of murdering Scott Cooper at a flat in Ryde in January 2021. The original trial was held in June and July 2022, but that jury could not reach a verdict. The trial is the first murder case to be heard […]
How much mitigation should be afforded to a gambling addiction when sentencing for dishonesty?
By Mark Ruffell This was the question that the Court had to consider when sentencing Martin Sargeant for fraud. He had stolen £5.2 million from the Church of England over 11 years when working as an administrator. He had worked hard, and had a good reputation, but this had hidden his dishonesty which had commenced […]
Mark Ruffell appears in £5m Church of England fraud case
Mark Ruffell acted for the defendant, a former operations manager at the Church of England’s Diocese of London, who defrauded the Church out of £5.2m. The case has been widely reported in the national press: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/12/19/church-england-official-took-52m-spent-flights-burberry/ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11555467/Convicted-thief-given-second-chance-CofE-defrauded-church-5-2M.html https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/church-official-admits-ps5-million-fraud-on-diocese-of-london-b1032738.html https://www.itv.com/news/london/2022-12-19/ex-prisoner-jailed-after-landing-86k-church-of-england-job-and-stealing-52m Mark Ruffell is regularly instructed in heavy weight criminal defence work and is also regularly instructed […]
Siân Beaven secures acquittal at Court Martial
Siân Beaven, instructed by Bob Scott of Richard Griffiths & Co solicitors, secured an acquittal on two charges of sexual assault. The defendant, a LCpl, was accused of having entered the complainant’s room, and repeatedly touched his upper thigh without consent. The Prosecution case was, that following these episodes of touching, when the complainant had […]
Pump Court Chambers Rankings in Chambers & Partners UK Bar Guide 2023
Chambers & Partners UK Bar Guide 2023 has been launched today and we’re delighted to have been recognised once again as a ‘Top Ranked’ set, with 23 members ranked across the areas of criminal, employment, ecclesiastical, family: matrimonial finance and children law, health & safety and inquests and inquiries. Our “Market leading” Band 1 Family […]
Ruba Huleihel and Hester Calder join Pump Court Chambers
Chambers is pleased to welcome Ruba Huleihel and Hester Calder to chambers following the successful completion of their pupillages. Ruba Huleihel Ruba is a specialist criminal barrister. She undertakes all areas of criminal work, both prosecuting and defending, and holds the position of grade 1 panel advocate for the CPS in general crime. Prior […]
