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Derek is a criminal defence advocate.
Derek was admitted as a solicitor in 2001, immediately specialising in criminal defence work and further qualified as solicitor advocate in 2005 and has been undertaking crown court trials for 18 years. Derek transferred to the Bar in 2015 and his trial experience includes cases involving murder, terrorism, attempted murder, drug conspiracies, robbery, kidnap, firearms, fraud and the full spectrum of sexual offences.
Derek is a highly respected advocate noted for his clear reasoning, exceptional professional judgement and outstanding client care, honed over 2 decades in legal practice.
Derek is deeply committed to ensuring that his clients have the best advocacy available. He is acutely aware that the odds are stacked against an individual facing criminal charges and being challenged by the power and resources of the police and Crown Prosecution Service. Derek is relentless in his pursuit of the best defence for his clients, offering them a platform to present their case with confidence and self-determination before the courts. Derek has appeared on numerous occasions in the Court of Appeal including appeals against sentence and Attorney-General references.
As Derek’s practice continues to grow, he persists with his purposeful objective of the staunch defence of those who need it most.
Crime
· Junior counsel in 6 Murder trials.
· 6 week trial alleging the encouragement of terrorism and the dissemination of terrorist material.
· Leading junior on a multi handed conspiracy to kidnap, blackmail and s18 OAPA gangland feud.
· Drug conspiracies, robbery, kidnap, firearms, fraud.
· Full spectrum of sexual offences.
Cases
R v MW 2024: Reading CC -Attempted sexual communication with a child x 2 involving expert evidence on Malware
R v JLB 2023: Oxford CC – Sexual Assault
R v JF 2023: Reading CC- Intentional Strangulation, threats with knife, ABH and theft.
R v MHI 2023: Oxford CC- Junior counsel in murder involving defence of parasomnia and diminished responsibility
R v AD 2023: Oxford CC- Attempted Murder of brother:
R v GM 2022: Coventry CC- Rape x 2 involving 17yr old complainant and prosecuted by QC.
R v SC 2022: Oxford CC- multi handed Aggravated burglary, ABH, Possession of Offensive weapon and theft
R v MWW 2020: Kingston CC- Multi handed drug conspiracy, rape and kidnap
R v JC 2020: Woolwich CC – 2 handed gang related attempted murder
R v KM 2019: Old Bailey -Junior counsel in multi handed murder case involving an alleged gang land execution by shooting.
R v UA Croydon CC 2019 Leading Junior in multi handed conspiracy to kidnap, s18 OAPA, and Blackmail in drugs gang feud.
R v TKA 2019: Woolwich CC- Possession of a loaded firearm.
R v AH 2018 Woolwich – 6 week trial alleging the encouragement of terrorism and the dissemination of terrorist material
R v AZ 2018 Croydon CC – Allegation of a gangland stabbing and s18 OAPA.
R v RH 2018 Inner London CC – Possession of a loaded firearm found under the defendant’s pillow.
R v BL 2018 Croydon CC– Possession of a number of loaded firearms and class A drugs.
R v DG 2018; Inner London CC – A viable bomb was found in the defendant’s bedroom
R v MB Croydon CC 2018 – 3 handed PWITS heroin and crack county lines drug case.
R v JJ 2018 – Attempted murder. The defendant stabbed his mother over 20 times before locking her in the bathroom and taking her mobile phone.
R v RM Croydon CC 2017 – Defendant was charged with poisoning her husband’s dinner.
R v BS Woolwich CC 2017 – Alleged rape of partner’s daughter
R v PA Croydon CC 2015- multi handed conspiracy to manufacture and supply firearms across London gangs.