Tom prosecutes and defends in a variety of matters in the Crown Court, including sexual offences, firearms offences, fraud, drug supply, and violence. He has secured numerous positive outcomes in a number of different professional contexts.

As a member of the RASSO panel, Tom prosecutes cases involving allegations of sexual offending against adults and children. He understands and meets the unique challenges – both inside and outside of the courtroom – which these cases present. He also defends such cases. Tom is acutely aware of the particular pressures that such cases place on individuals; and he prides himself on outstanding client care, in conjunction with powerful advocacy.

Tom is sensitive to the particular needs of vulnerable clients and witnesses. He is experienced in cross-examining children and individuals with learning difficulties. He has also defended young people accused of serious offences in the Youth Court. Tom is especially experienced in relation to accusations made in a relationship/family context, often involving events said to have occurred many years ago.

Prior to the Bar, Tom worked as an editorial assistant at CrimeLine and a legal editor at The National Archives. These experiences provided Tom with different perspectives on the law which he incorporates into his present work.

Outside of Chambers, Tom enjoys watching and playing football and cricket, as well as consuming as many books and films as his practice allows.

Notable cases

Sexual offences

R v B – Warwick Crown Court – defended a man who was unanimously acquitted of raping his ex-partner.

R v N – Northampton Crown Court – prosecuted a man who was unanimously convicted of raping an unconscious woman. This case was reported by the national press: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13865659/Man-filmed-raping-unconscious-woman-jailed-eight-years.html.

R v W – Nottingham Crown Court – prosecuted a man who was unanimously convicted of repeated rapes of a schoolgirl. This case was reported by the BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyldmvpgj5o.

R v A – Derby Crown Court – prosecuted a man who was unanimously convicted of raping an infant girl. The defendant received a life sentence.

R v L – Nottingham Crown Court – defended a vulnerable man, who required an intermediary, who was accused of raping a teenage boy who was also vulnerable. This case involved the pre-recorded cross-examination of several children.

Fraud

R v B – Nottingham Crown Court – defended a woman who was unanimously acquitted of defrauding an elderly acquaintance.

R v W – Leicester Crown Court – prosecuted a man who was unanimously convicted of defrauding a close family friend out of approximately £90,000.

Firearms

R v H – Newcastle Crown Court – defended a farmer who was accused of illegally possessing a firearm. This case was reported by ITV: https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2022-06-30/farmer-living-james-bond-style-fantasy-jailed-after-gun-found-in-chicken-coop.

R v R – Nottingham Crown Court – prosecuted a woman who was accused of illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition.

Violence

R v G – Northampton Crown Court – prosecuted a man who was convicted of serious domestic violence offences in relation to an ex-partner. This case involved legal argument regarding the admissibility of cell site evidence, ANPR evidence, and bad character.

R v S – Leicester Crown Court – prosecuted a man who was unanimously convicted of assaulting another man on a night out which led to a bleed on the brain.

R v B – Court of Appeal – successfully appealed a sentence imposed at Warwick Crown Court in respect of serious violence offences. The Court of Appeal reduced the original sentence of 5 years 3 months’ imprisonment to 3 years 9 months’ imprisonment.

Drug supply

R v W & B – Leicester Crown Court – prosecuted a man and a woman who were accused of conspiring to supply Class-A drugs in the context of a ‘drugs line’.

R v R – Leicester Crown Court – defended a man who was accused of supplying Class-A drugs. The case resolved in a way which enabled the Court to, in due course, impose a suspended sentence order.

R v R – Nottingham Crown Court – prosecuted a man who was accused of taking controlled drugs into a prison.

Professional Associations 

• Member of Grays Inn
• Level 3 RASSO CPS Panel Advocate
• Member of the Criminal Bar Association