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2006-8 | 2009 | 2010

December 2010

IN THE NEWS... ONE PAPER BARRISTERS ACT FOR PROSECUTION & DEFENCE IN HIGH PROFILE MURDER

Barristers from One Paper Buildings recently concluded a murder trial at Norwich Crown Court where they were instructed for both prosecution and defence. Karim Khalil QC led Andrew Shaw for the Prosecution and Will Carter led Georgina Gibbs for the defence of James Cameron. The case involved detailed analysis of mobile phone records, CCTV, and bank withdrawals, as so little forensic evidence was left at the scene. Andrew Cameron and Alexander Dewar denied murdering Stephen Murphy in Fakenham last year, with Andrew Cameron denying that he had ever been to Norfolk. Karim Khalil QC, prosecuting, told the court the killing took place after a feud developed between James Cameron (Andrew Cameron’s father) and Steven Murphy (the victim) over their friendship with Julianne Dowling. “James Cameron had made it his business to pursue Julianne Dowling. Her friendship with Steven Murphy rather got in the way.” Mr Khalil QC told the jury that the father’s threats of violence to Steven Murphy had eventually been carried out by his son and Alexander Dewar, who were both “strong men with a history of violence”. “The two of them carried out a plan which appeared to have been hatched between father and son,” he said. They drove from Blackpool to Fakenham carrying knives and probably a change of clothes. A pathologist’s report showed a combination of severe wounds up to 16cms deep, and smaller incisions which suggested that two different knives had been used – one of which had pierced the victim’s heart.

The two murderers were both sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 25 years each. James Cameron was sentenced to 15 years for conspiring with his son to commit GBH. For more information and national press coverage, click on the links below.

IN THE NEWS... PROMOTION FOR GEORGINA GIBBS & QUINTON NEWCOMB

Chambers congratulate Georgina Gibbs and Quinton Newcomb upon their recent promotions. Both have been elevated to more senior positions on the South Eastern Circuit Committee. Georgina has been promoted from First Assistant Junior to Junior of the South Eastern Circuit. This is an honorary position that carries some kudos within the profession and entails regular attendance at meetings of the South Eastern Circuit at the Bar Council offices, at which circuit interests are represented and issues affecting the Bar generally discussed. Quinton has been elected First Assistant Junior of the South Eastern Circuit, a position formerly held by Georgina.

IN THE NEWS... PRISON LAW

One Paper have launched a new team within Chambers who will specialise in Prison Law. This experienced team have expertise in dealing with Prison adjudications, Parole Hearings and advising Life prisoners on their appeals. Click here to find out more about the team and how they could help you.

IN THE NEWS... JACOB EDWARDS DEFENDS ‘FACEBOOK’ ATTACKER

Jacob Edwards recently secured a suspended sentence for a defendant who pleaded guilty to setting fire to a girls hair. He had initially met the girl at school but lost contact and befriended again through Facebook. Although the defendant had previous convictions for violence, the judge suspended his nine-month term in a young offender institution for two years after prosecutors accepted he “unintentionally” set the girl's hair on fire. He admitted a lesser charge of actual bodily harm. See link to report in the Evening Standard below.

IN THE NEWS... One Paper Buildings are delighted to announce that Will Buckley recently joined Chambers

Will’s appointment will principally strengthen Chambers Sports Law Team, but in addition to Sports Law Will is to also practice in the field of Family and Matrimonial law specialising in Ancillary Relief. Will is well known in Sports due to his previous career as a broadcaster on Radio 5 and his journalism for the Observer, where he was Chief Sports Feature writer. Recently a speaker at the British Association of Sports Lawyers conference, he is ideally placed to advise sports people and their representatives on a range of matters. Will is also well regarded and is in a position to recommend others more suitable should the issue be not one suitable for his expertise.

November 2010

ANNOUNCEMENT... Roger Titheridge QC (1928-2010)

It is with great sadness that Chambers announce the passing of their former Head, Roger Titheridge QC, on Wednesday 10th November 2010 after a short illness. Roger was a member of Chambers for over fifty years, and an inspirational Head of Chambers for twenty five years from 1977 to 2002. He was leader of the Western Circuit from 1989-92 and a Deputy High Court Judge (QB division) from 1984-98. Chambers extend their condolences to his wife Ann and family.

IN THE NEWS... MOTORCYCLIST KILLS GIRLFRIEND RIDING PILLION

Robert Bryan recently acted for the defendant in a tragic case of motoring over-exuberance at Liverpool Crown Court. Robert Caddick's motorbike crashed as he rode along a bypass towards Liverpool with his partner Christina Flynn on the back and she suffered fatal injuries. Her brother was also riding alongside Caddick with his girlfriend on the pillion, although it was accepted by Judge Brian Lewis that they had not been racing. Robert Bryan, defending, said that Caddick, who has no previous convictions, was a hard-working, conscientious young man who cared deeply for Miss Flynn. Mr Bryan said: "He loved her enormously and his remorse is evident to all. Her family bear him no animosity and ill will." Jude Brian Lewis, after Mr Bryan’s mitigation, said "This is a case in which excessive speed was the sole reason for the tragic circumstances" and sentenced Mr Caddick to 18 months jail with a driving ban of three years.

IN THE NEWS... SEX OFFENDER CAUGHT AFTER 25 YEARS

Sally Hobson successfully acted for the prosecution on a case where a paedophile was initially caught by a computer repair man discovering images of children on his laptop and reporting them to the Police. The investigation continued and a history of the defendant sexually abusing children came to light. More than 60,000 indecent images were found on his computer, with nearly 6000 being child pornography. He had also abused children in Turkey and taken pictures of the abuse. Claire Matthews, defending, pointed to the defendants previous good character and the fact that he handed himself in by way of mitigation.

October 2010

IN THE NEWS... VICTORY IN GMC HEARING

Stephen Spence successfully defended a Doctor in a recent fitness to practice hearing before the General Medical Council. After a gruelling three day hearing the Doctor is free to resume practice with no restrictions or reprimands against his record.

IN THE NEWS... LEGAL500 RECOMMENDATION

The recently published Legal500 directory mentions One Paper Buildings in terms of one of the premier sets specialising in Criminal work on the South Eastern Circuit. Two members are singled out for special praise, Karim Khalil QC is “an excellent advocate who is caring and very good at client relations” and Annie Johnston who “is fearless in cross-examination and has a track record that is second to none”. Click here to see the recommendation in the 2010 online edition of the Legal500.

IN THE NEWS... TWO NEW MEMBERS JOIN CHAMBERS

One Paper Buildings is pleased to announce that Barnaby Hone and Lydia Waine have accepted an invitation to join Chambers following successful completion of their pupillage.

September 2010

IN THE NEWS... CARELESS DRIVING SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDED

Nicholas Cotter successfully defended a lorry driver accused of causing the death of an elderly woman whilst allegedly driving a delivery lorry carelessly at Luton Airport. The facts of this sadly disturbing case centered on the Crowns own expert and required a highly structured approach to witness examination and a strict application and understanding of the disclosure rules given the Crowns case approach. The location of the accident also generated a significant and continuing interest by the Health and Safety Executive and required a detailed appreciation of this area of the law. The jury acquitted the Defendant in thirty minutes. See below for links:

September 2010

IN THE NEWS... ‘HEADTEACHER JAILED FOR HISTORIC ABUSE OF BOYS AT BOARDING SCHOOL

An ex headmaster, Derek Slade, has been found guilty of sexually abusing and hitting pupils by a jury at Ipswich Crown Court. Greg Perrins and Nicola Talbot were instructed to act on behalf of the defence in a long running trial which was subject to reporting restrictions, and as the case continued more alleged victims came forward. As a result Police enquiries into these claims are continuing . The abuse occurred between 1978 and 1983 at private schools in Wicklewood, Norfolk, and Great Finborough in Suffolk. Detective Chief Inspector Adrian Randall said: "Whilst Slade may have committed these offences 30 years ago, for the victims their pain remains very real. I cannot begin to imagine how difficult it must have been for these men to come forward and try to make sense of what happened to them decades ago as defenceless young boys." See below for more information and links:

IN THE NEWS... ‘HALLOWEEN MURDERER’ CONVICTED

John Moody, styled in the press as the ‘Halloween Murderer’, has been sentenced to thirty years for repeatedly stabbing 39-year-old Karen Brown and Kenneth Snell, 65, at Mr Snell's home near Norwich on 31 October 2009. Moody had denied murder though he admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. John Farmer and Angela Rafferty appeared for the defence in one of the most high profile murder trials at Norwich Crown Court in recent times. See below for links:

Guardian
BBC

August 2010

IN THE NEWS... KIDNAP AND FALSE IMPRISONMENT

Andrew Shaw has successfully prosecuted two men who were accused of kidnap and false imprisonment. The defendants, Shabazz and Carty, had tracked the victim down to a rented property near Bury St Edmunds and kidnapped him at gunpoint. They then tied and blindfolded him, drove him to London and imprisoned him in a flat in the Lewisham area. He only escaped when two of his captors fell asleep. See press reports for more information:

June 2010

IN THE NEWS... WOMAN DETAINED INDEFINITELY AFTER KILLING HER BABY

John Farmer led Will Carter in a trial at Cambridge Crown Court prosecuting a Mother who killed her six week old child. The case attracted huge press attention and led to a separate enquiry as Julia Lovemore and her husband were both under supervision by social services before the birth of Faith, who was their second child. The case has led to a serious case review by the Local safeguarding childrens board. Julia was detained indefinitely under the mental health act after she admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. See below for press reports and more on the case:

May 2010

IN THE NEWS... POLICEMAN RECEIVES JAIL TERM FOR USE OF MOBILE PHONE WHILST DRIVING

Robert Bryan was instructed to represent a special constable who was involved in a fatal accident whilst driving home from a night shift. The case was extensively reported and as such made for a difficult trial due to the constant press reporting and nature of the offence being committed by a serving police officer. The defendant was jailed for three years after detailed forensic analysis of his mobile phone proved that he had been using the telephone to text in the moments before the crash. See links below for more information:

IN THE NEWS... ONE PAPER BARRISTERS INVOLVED IN ‘LARGEST HAUL OF TERRORIST INFORMATION IN THE UK TO DATE’

Karim Khalil QC and Robert Bryan were instructed to represent the defendant Terrance Brown in what described as the ‘terrorists cookbook trial’ that was scheduled to run for five weeks at Winchester Crown Court. On the second day of the trial he pleaded guilty to offences under the Terrorism Act, he will be sentenced at a later date. See link below for more information:

JACOB EDWARDS ACCEPTS INVITATION TO JOIN CHAMBERS

One Paper Buildings is pleased to announce that Jacob Edwards has accepted an invitation to join Chambers.

April 2010

IN THE NEWS... TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS DIFFICULTIES FACED BY PROBATION SERVICES

Chris Morgan appeared in a recent murder trial that highlighted the difficulties faced by probation services in monitoring and releasing offenders. They successfully prosecuted Royston Jackson, a double murderer, at Norwich Crown Court. Jackson was convicted of murdering sex offender Gordon Boon, 73 in Norwich in 2008 soon after being released from prison for murdering Stephen Raven in Essex in 1989. Both victims were strangled. Mr Justice Underhill said: "This was a shocking murder” and described Jackson as a very dangerous man. See below for BBC and local press coverage.

February 2010

IN THE NEWS... FANTASIST MEDIC CLAIMED HE WAS QUALIFIED

Robert Bryan recently concluded a case at Portsmouth Crown Court that has been widely reported; it poses serious questions about how stringently qualifications on medical CVs are checked. Although he was already a qualified nurse, Greig Ferguson decided to exaggerate his qualifications when he applied for the post of emergency nurse practitioner. He told health bosses he had worked at the County General Hospital in Chicago, the fictional hospital that launched the career of Hollywood star George Clooney. He also falsely claimed he had seen action as a medic in the Royal Marines.

Ferguson confessed his lies and pleaded guilty to two charges of fraud. In court, Robert Bryan compared him to Jeffrey Archer, the disgraced MP who was jailed in 2001 for perjury and perverting the course of justice. Addressing the judge, Mr Bryan said: "I know not whether your honour is, or was, ever a devotee of a certain Channel 4 drama but the hospital on his CV in Chicago was the hospital starring in ER. There can be few people in this country who at one stage or another have not inflated or said something to increase their standing. Whether that is with a work colleague, whether it's to impress a potential girlfriend or her parents or whether it's perhaps to do what Jeffrey Archer did, to make themselves seem better, that's all this man did."

February 2010

IN THE NEWS... CHAMBERS UK DIRECTORY RECOMMENDATION

For the second year running, we are proud to announce that barristers at One Paper Buildings have been given ‘Top Ranked’ status in the 2010 Chambers & Partners UK directory. They say : “One Paper Buildings offers a wide choice of quality counsel”. Head of Chambers Michael Hubbard QC and Karim Khalil QC have both been awarded ‘leading individual’ status, as testament to the high esteem those instructing hold them as well as the many glowing reports to the directory researchers. They are both in the top tier of recommended silks for Criminal matters in their respective circuits. This ranking is a sought after accolade and is only awarded after extensive research by the directory. To read more, click on the Chambers UK icon below.

February 2010

IN THE NEWS... ADVANCE IN DNA SNARES RAPIST

Stephen Spence recently secured the conviction of a rapist twenty years after the crime had taken place thanks to advances in DNA techniques. Ipswich Crown Court heard how Phil Collins, 50, was identified after advances in DNA techniques pinpointed a link to him via a family member. The trial took four weeks and it is believed that this is one of the first contested trails involving LCN and YSTR DNA. Mr Spence said the science of DNA was in its infancy when the case was originally investigated in 1990, and not as sophisticated as it is today; therefore the initial police inquiry had failed to find the attacker. The investigation into the attack was reviewed by Suffolk Police in 2008 in light of forensic science advances, and they used samples that were kept in storage at forensic laboratories which they tested again after the advances in technology enabled more sensitive analysis.

Stephen Spence told the jury that DNA found on the victim’s bra and knickers “precisely” matched Collins’s DNA. The chances of it coming from someone else were “one in a billion”. He was given two 10-year sentences for the serious sexual offence charges, 10 years for rape and eight years each for indecent assault, to run concurrently. See below for links from the beginning to end of this important trial.

January 2010

IN THE NEWS... TWO JAILED FOR MURDERING TERMINALLY ILL MAN

Karim Khalil QC successfully prosecuted two men charged with beating a terminally ill man so severely that he died the next day from his injuries. Father-of-three John Vry, 55, suffered a "horrific and sustained" attack in an alleyway in Lowestoft in December 2008, Ipswich Crown Court heard. Mr Khalil said Mr Vry, who had undergone surgery and chemotherapy for his cancer, was in no condition to defend himself. He had been undergoing various treatments for his illness, but there was no chance of recovery. Mr Vry had only stepped out to purchase some chips when approached in an alleyway and attacked. One eye witness described the defendants as ‘stamping on his head’ and requested an ambulance as well as Police, such was the severity of the prolonged attack. The first defendant, James Killingback, was sentenced to a minimum of 19 years, whilst his younger accomplice Aaron Breffitt, who was just seventeen at the time, was sentenced to a minimum of 12 years.

January 2010

IN THE NEWS... ALASTAIR MALCOLM QC ACCEPTS APPOINTMENT TO SFO QUEEN’S COUNSEL LIST

Chambers congratulate Alastair Malcolm QC upon his appointment to the inaugural Serious Fraud Office Queen’s Counsel list. Alastair is one of a select band of Queen’s Counsel chosen to be included in the list which means, essentially, he will be one of the SFO’s preferred Queen’s Counsel for a period of three years commencing January 2010.

2009

December 2009

IN THE NEWS... MOTHER FOUND GUILTY OF 18 CHARGES OF ABUSE UPON HER OWN CHILDREN

Andrew Shaw successfully prosecuted a mother of six who had subjected her children aged between 6 months and 14 years old to a prolonged period of abuse. She was alleged to have beaten the children with various kitchen utensils and also threatened other children when they witnessed the abuse. The children were noted as being ‘withdrawn’ and ‘petrified’ of their mother. Cambridgeshire County Council admitted monitoring the family since 1999 yet charges were only brought against the mother after two of the children discussed the abuse with a teacher. A spokesman said: "We acted as soon as these allegations came to light and the children were immediately taken into care. The defendant was successfully convicted of 17 of the 24 counts she was prosecuted for. Also acting in the case was fellow One Paper buildings barrister, Georgina Gibbs, who was acting for the defendant. See links below for more reports on this case that generated national interest:

December 2009

IN THE NEWS...GANG OF SEVEN JAILED FOR ‘PROLIFIC’ SPATE OF BURGLARIES

Gregory Perrins led Quinton Newcomb in successfully prosecuting a gang of seven men at Ipswich Crown Court who had been involved in over 170 thefts or burglaries. The total value of goods stolen was thought to be in the region of £300,000. The gang targeted small communities in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex and stole from homes and businesses, and in some cases they burgled houses whilst the occupants were asleep. They also stole vehicles and filmed themselves doing so with stolen cameras. Gregory and Quinton were joined in this matter by fellow One Paper barristers Andrew Shaw, Jo Eley and Nicola Devas acting for the defence.

Judge Peter Fenn remarked when sentencing the gang to a combined total of 30 years that these were “extremely serious and prolific” offenders.

December 2009

RECORDERS APPOINTED

Chambers are delighted to congratulate Chris Morgan and Angela Rafferty on their appointments as Recorders of the Crown Court.

November 2009

IN THE NEWS... LORRY DRIVER SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS FOR DEATH BY DANGEROUS DRIVING

After a six day trial, a Cambridgeshire driver was sentenced to three years imprisonment and was banned from driving for four years as a result of being found guilty of dangerous driving. John Farmer successfully appeared on behalf of the prosecution at Cambridge Crown Court in relation to a horrific a road accident in which two scientists were killed. The defendant was driving a HGV which failed to stop in time to avert a multiple crash involving two cars and another HGV. For more information click on the links below:

November 2009

IN THE NEWS... FOSTER CARER ALLEGEDLY GROOMED, ABDUCTED AND RAPED TWELVE YEAR OLD BOY IN CARE

Alastair Malcolm QC is acting for the prosecution on a matter that has attracted press interest both in the UK and beyond. The defendant, Christopher Waite, is charged with rape, sexual activity with a child, child abduction, grooming a child, sexual assault, inciting sexual activity with a child and possessing indecent images. Mr Waite was a registered foster carer with Hampshire County Council in 2002 but was not responsible for looking after the alleged victim. The court have heard how the defendant helped the victim abscond from care homes and hid him in his house. For more information on the case, click on one of the links to press reports below:

November 2009

IN THE NEWS... APPEAL AGAINST SENTENCE FOR MURDER RE-ENACTMENT REFUSED

Karim Khalil QC successfully represented the Crown in the appeal against sentence of Jonathan Clarke, one of the defendants in the murder re-enactment case. Appearing before the Lord Chief Justice, Henriques J and Rafferty J, it was decided that the Trial judge took into account all mitigating factors, and that the correct jail term of 30 years had been handed down. For more information on this case see the earlier news item.

November 2009

IN THE NEWS... Jehad Mustafa

Building upon his success in gaining tenancy last year Jehad Mustafa has been approached to write a regular column for the Lawyer2B website. Further to his short article on this website about life as a pupil barrister, he was approached to produce regular updates for this prestigious website and quarterly magazine about life at the Criminal Bar. Jehad continues to practice nationally and is building a reputation not only as a great jury advocate but also something of a diarist – or should that be blogger nowadays? See links below for the first instalments – this link will be updated when the articles are published.

November 2009

IN THE NEWS... Stephen Spence

Stephen Spence has been interviewed at length by BBC Look East further to their recent series of news items on the local courts and court users. You can find the relevant programme on the BBC website iplayer for a limited time. This request reflects the reputation that both Stephen and One Paper have built in Norfolk. You can see other BBC reports on cases upon which Stephen has appeared in the links below.

September 2009

IN THE NEWS... NURSERY JOB VETTING TOO LAX?

Lindsay Cox successfully appeared at Cambridge Crown Court on a case which highlighted the deficiencies in vetting potential employees within the childcare sector. The case, coming in the week nursery worker Vanessa George admitted abusing infants in Plymouth and sharing pictures with online paedophiles, has sparked calls for a review of staff vetting at nurseries. Although none of the pictures were taken at the nurseries concerned, families and media are justifiably concerned as to how this person was allowed to work with children. For recent press reports see links below:

September 2009

IN THE NEWS... TEENAGER TORTURED AND MURDERED IN RE-ENACTMENT OF HORROR FILM

Karim Khalil QC and Christopher Morgan successfully prosecuted three defendants charged with a ‘grotesque’ torture and murder case at Norwich crown court. This matter attracted much interest due to the copycat nature of the crime, as well as the sheer level of brutality. At the opening of the trial at Norwich Crown Court, Karim Khalil QC said: 'This case will demonstrate the grotesque brutality that people can inflict on one another in the name of sexual jealousy and warped allegiance to one another.' At the end of the trial Detective Chief Inspector Steve Strong, of Norfolk Police, said: 'This is the worst murder case that Norfolk Police have had to deal with’. See links below for more information.

September 2009

IN THE NEWS... WOMAN SENTENCED TO 33 YRS FOR MURDERING HER DAUGHTERS

John Farmer and Claire Matthews gain conviction for CPS in the high profile Regina v Kumari-Baker murder trial at Cambridge Crown Court. This case was mentioned not just for the horrific nature of the crime, but in later reports for the severity of the sentence. After a trial lasting over two weeks, the jury took just 35 minutes to come to agreement that her diminished responsibility defence was not true. See links below for the whole story:

August 2009

Chambers have recruited a new Marketing Director

Chambers are pleased to announce the appointment of Brett Carver as their new Marketing Director. Brett’s appointment reflects Chambers continuing plan of expansion and development into new areas of law whilst consolidating their position as a leading criminal set. Brett will be working closely with Mark Cornell in this regard.

August 2009

Robert Clive Smith has joined Chambers as a door tenant

Robert Clive Smith has joined Chambers as a door tenant. Robert is a sole practitioner based in Sheffield with an outstanding reputation on the North Eastern circuit. He specialises in serious crime, and combines this with Family and Chancery work. He regularly appears in Crown and County courts on that circuit, as well as tribunals and the Court of Appeal.

April 2009

Nicola Talbot accepts invitation to join Chambers

One Paper Buildings is pleased to announce that Nicola Talbot has accepted an invitation to join Chambers.

2006-8

29 September 2008

Jehad Mustafa accepts invitation to join Chambers

One Paper Buildings is pleased to announce that Jehad Mustafa has accepted an invitation to join Chambers following his successful completion of pupillage.

14 August 2008

Louisa Bagley, new Member of Chambers

One Paper Buildings is pleased to welcome Louisa Bagley as a new member of Chambers. Louisa, who was Called to the Bar in 2000, joins us from 12 College Place, Southampton.

14 May 2007

New Members of Chambers

One Paper Buildings is pleased to welcome the following new Members of Chambers: Miss Joanne Eley (Call 1997) and Nicholas Cotter (Call 1999) formerly of Trinity Chambers, Chelmsford and Quinton Newcomb (Call 2005) on successful completion of their pupillages.

March 2007

Tim Swan

The members of One Paper Buildings warmly congratulate Tim Swan on his appointment as a District Judge.

3Q 2006

Expanded Chambers premises

One Paper Buildings has, since its inception, been based on the first floor of One Paper Buildings. We are now very pleased to announce that we have doubled our accommodation by the acquisition of the second floor of the same building. Chambers now has substantially more space for the clerks and other members of chambers; in addition we have flexible conference facilities and a large library. A spacious common room overlooking Inner Temple Gardens is reserved for informal meetings and relaxation.

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