Tom is an established junior practitioner with a strong criminal practice, prosecuting and defending in equal measure in the Crown Court across the full spectrum of offences.

As a Level 3 CPS prosecutor, Tom is frequently instructed to prosecute cases concerning serious violence, drugs and dishonesty. Recent defence trials include wounding with intent, assisting an offender (murder) and serious sexual offences. Tom also frequently appears as led junior for prosecution and defence in serious and complex matters, including murder fraud, sexual offences and firearms.

In court, Tom adopts a measured and pragmatic approach, which he combines with rigorous preparation. He is equally adept examining witnesses in a focused and incisive manner as he is arguing points of law, such as bad character, hearsay and disclosure. Tom has earned the praise of judges for his considered and well-judged approach at trial and sentence, as well as for the quality of his written advocacy.

Tom prides himself on his close attention to detail and thorough preparation of all cases. His strong work ethic means that no stone is left unturned, key advice is given promptly and important strategic decisions are fully informed. Whether prosecuting or defending, he is keen to build working relationships with clients as well as to construct a coherent and considered strategy from the start. Tom has experience of representing clients with mental health difficulties, both at trial and sentence. Tom has prosecuted and defended several youths charged with serious offences, and has a strong grasp of procedure and sentencing in such cases.

Tom has good experience of matters which require handling large quantities of evidence and excellent organisational skills. He has prosecuted and defended in VHCC cases, for murder, fraud and conspiracy to steal.

Criminal Law

Tom deals with all aspects of Criminal Law. He is a Level 3 CPS prosecutor. He has experience of:

• Homicide
• Violent offences, including domestic violence and child cruelty
• Drug-related offences, including conspiracies to supply and importation
• Sexual offences, including non-recent allegations
• Fraud and theft offences
• Youth offending, in both the Youth Court and Crown Court
• Road traffic offences

In relation to road traffic offences, Tom has a particularly good record with exceptional hardship arguments, both in the Magistrates and on appeal to the Crown Court, and is frequently instructed for trials involving expert evidence, for example back calculations and collision reconstruction. Tom has been instructed privately on a number of matters and prides himself on his proactive approach, seeking to ensure that clients have the best advice at the earliest opportunity. In a recent case, Tom was instructed to defend an allegation of driving without due care and attention which was successfully discontinued following matters raised by Tom at the first appearance.

Notable cases include

Prosecuting

Preston Crown Court: Operation Privilege; disclosure junior, led by Alex Leach KC and Marianne Alton, prosecuting two defendants charged with the professionally planned murder of a former prison officer as a result of the seizure of a mobile phone in prison. The case involved presentation of a complex ‘trace, investigate, evaluate’ process to eliminate alternative suspects. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9d0d63pnw2o

Minshull Street Crown Court: Operation Granta; led by Neil Fryman prosecuting 6 defendants for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession of firearms with intent to endanger life. The case involved “drill” rap music being adduced as bad character evidence, for which Tom drafted the Crown’s submissions, as well as contested DNA and cell-site evidence. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0elwlqvgnqo

Preston Crown Court: advised on causation of death in circumstances where the defendant was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent for an assault prior to the death of the victim.

Preston Crown Court: prosecuted former professional boxer for causing grievous bodily harm with intent against partner.

Preston Crown Court: prosecuted police officer for sexual assault on colleague in a police station.

Preston Crown Court: Operation Rave; led junior for Crown in prosecution of 8 defendants for wounding with intent, violent disorder and witness intimidation. Case involved reluctant and hostile witnesses, bad character arguments and joint enterprise.https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/teens-skull-split-in-attack-27462398

Minshull Street Crown Court: Operation Norma; led junior for Crown in VHCC conspiracy to steal and handle motor vehicles, with a value over £3 million. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqlrv224lx0o

Manchester Crown Court: led by Neil Fryman prosecuting a 6-defendant drugs conspiracy.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-59983661

Defending

Manchester Crown Court: defended woman charged with assisting an offender, alongside three youths charged with murder. Suspended sentence imposed following detailed submissions at sentence. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czd8j3jej5eo

Preston Crown Court: led junior in 6-week trial for 42 allegations of grooming and familial sexual abuse, and again at the re-trial the following year. Tom drafted and delivered the defence submissions on cross-admissibility, a complex issue given the number of complainants and the approach of the Crown. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y9jyp7wpeo

Birmingham Crown Court: led junior in 6-week VHCC trial of financial advisor charged with £7 million investment fraud.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court: defended a man charged with non-recent allegations of sexual abuse, involving applications under s.41 YJCEA and s.100 CJA and careful cross-examination of the complainant. Defendant acquitted on all counts.

Liverpool Crown Court: conspiracy to cheat the public revenue through tobacco importation, valued at over £4 million.

Manchester Crown Court: defended a youth charged with 56 offences relating to the theft of vehicles, who ultimately received a youth rehabilitation order.

Minshull Street Crown Court: secured a suspended sentence for a defendant charged with blackmail due to the exceptional nature of the case. https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/tenant-sent-landlords-series-angry-23815691

Education

Law (BA, LLB) – University of Cambridge (Upper second class)

BPTC – BPP University Birmingham (Very Competent)