Charles Thomas

Practice
Charles Thomas is a specialist criminal practitioner on the Western Circuit. His practice encompasses the entire range of criminal work including murder, manslaughter, rape and serious fraud and drugs cases. He has extensive experience of cases involving internet crime and child pornography. He maintains an even balance in his practice between prosecution and defence work. He is pro-active in giving advice on areas of further evidence to be explored, whether for the prosecution or defence, and what possibilities for forensic and expert evidence are available in any given situation. He is familiar with the procedures required for obtaining evidence from abroad under letters of request.

He is a grade 4 prosecutor, handling the most serious kinds of cases either alone or as a leading junior. He regularly prosecutes cases with silks defending on the other side. He has a proven track record of success for dealing with cases involving complex financial transactions and large volumes of paperwork. He is widely recognised for the meticulous preparation and attention to detail he brings to such cases which is the cornerstone to his effective presentation of often complicated questions of fact or law in court.

He has considerable experience of prosecuting the most serious types of sex cases and is highly regarded not only for the quality of his witness care, but also for his grasp of the law in areas such as bad character and the cross-examination of complainants on previous sexual history.

He is also regularly instructed as a leading junior for the defence. He has particular expertise in multi-handed drugs cases, frauds and sex cases. He is highly rated for the tactical acumen and judgment he brings to bear in these longer types of cases. He is particularly interested in cases where there has been a background of police covert surveillance and issues of sensitive material  and proper disclosure need to be raised before trial.

His client care is of very high quality. He is often specifically instructed to represent particularly demanding clients, especially those with mental health difficulties. He has conducted many hearings relating to issues of fitness to plead. He has built a reputation of being a sensitive but effective cross-examiner of complainants in sex cases, whether adults or children via the video-link.

He also defends in Court Martial cases, both in England and in Germany.

An additional area of expertise is Defamation and Contempt of Court matters, having given pre-publication advice for a number years to several national newspapers.

Recent cases

R v R
Leading prosecution junior in 6 week trial alleging repeated rapes, false imprisonment and s18 GBH by husband on wife. Case involved allegations of bigamy and unusual issues of law regarding the validity of wedding ceremony in Egypt under Sharia law.

R v H
Junior in murder involving brutal stabbing in Portsmouth

R v S
Leading junior in trial of serving police officer alleged to have abused one of his own daughters.

R v C
Defence counsel for man of good character accused of multi-million pound invoice fraud against a large construction company.

R v K
Prosecuted multi-million pound internet and identity fraud conspiracy. Case involved over 80 false identities and 220 fraudulent bank accounts.

R v B
Prosecuted local councillor in 4 week corruption trial. Successfully convicted in high profile case that involved calling local M.P as a witness.

R v W
Defence counsel for former Naval Officer accused of conspiracy to harbour illegal immigrants.

R v L
Leading defence counsel in multi-handed conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

R v C & Others
Prosecuting counsel in 15 handed animal rights terrorist case. Freedom of speech and Human Rights Act issues argued in 5 day legal argument pre trial.

R v J
Defence counsel in professional armed robbery of commercial premises. Issues of disclosure arose regarding participating informant.

R v M
Prosecuting counsel in 3 handed conspiracy to rob involving sawn-off shotguns. All defendants convicted. 2 given 20 year IPPs.

R v W
Leading defence junior in large scale conspiracy to cultivate and supply cannabis.

R v W
Leading junior in murder trial. Conducted 2 day PII hearing before trial.

R v H
Counsel in historic sex case alleging rape by defendant on 4 daughters more than 35 years before.

R v W
Defence counsel for I.T consultant of good character accused of installing viruses and malware onto customers system in order to fraudulently sell them an unnecessary new computer system. Company had gone bankrupt as a result. Complex expert computer evidence covered during the case.

ARMY v B
Case of desertion by soldier already warned for duties in Afghanistan.

ARMY v L & Others
Case alleged bullying of new recruits in barracks.

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