Darren Snow

Criminal Cases

R v JB – Newport Crown Court – represented this defendant in the first of two multi handed riot trials re 2023 Cardiff riots. A very high-profile case in Wales before the Recorder of Cardiff, the riots escalated in response to police actions following a fatal road collision killing two local boys.

R v TM – Oxford Crown Court – represented a defendant facing multiple rape allegations of a vulnerable victim whilst he was a youth. Significant learning difficulties & defence intermediary appointed.  Co-defendant was convicted. Defendant found not guilty.

R v SS – Liverpool Crown Court – represented the defendant in a 5 handed conspiracy to import cannabis from Spain. 8-week trial with cut throat defences from co-defendants implicating my defendant as the mastermind. Defendant found not guilty – all those implicating my defendant convicted

R v KA – Kingston Crown Court – Leading counsel, represented the first defendant in this 4 handed case, an alleged gang rape of two women picked up at a night club. Prosecuted by a KC specialist in sexual offences. All defendants found not guilty.

R v JD – Leicester Crown Court – represented the defendant facing historic allegations of sexual assault of his granddaughters over may years. By the time Darren was involved there were serious signs of dementia & an assessment found the defendant unfit to plead. By the time of trial there was a deprivation of liberty order in place with residence at a specialist care home. The case proceeded as a trial of fact. The allegations were found proved by a jury. A discharge was imposed avoiding a custodial sentence.

R v Sartin & Others – Kingston Crown Court – Representing one of the defendants in this multi handed drugs smuggling conspiracy concerning £45 million of MDMA imported into Australia concealed within a digger being shipped to Australia. Darrens client eventually severed to stand trial alone. The prosecution case relied heavily upon intercepted Encrochat communications and significant legal argument on admissibility. Whilst jury in retirement on a majority direction after a 4-week trial there was alleged jury tampering by a third-party resulting in the jury being discharged & judge ruling he would conclude the trial as judge alone. Ruling appealed to CA before the LCJ and refused – Sartin v R [2024] EWCA Crim 764, application to the Supreme Court on point of law refused.

R v OH – Preston Crown Court – Defence Counsel in case involving multiple rape, firearms and serious violence offences against a former girlfriend stretching over 5 years. The Defendant was a high profile convicted drug dealer within an OCG operating in the north west

R v M & Others – Woolwich Crown Court – Prosecution junior led by Tyrone Silcott, Furnival Chambers, instructed by CPS Serious & Organised Crime Group in a conspiracy to rob and steal cash machines. 6-week trial working closely with the CPS and Flying Squad officers. Convictions secured

R v TC – Junior Counsel led by Henry Grunwald KC – Murder – Northampton – incident inside KFC Restaurant.

R v H & Others – Represented the third defendant in this £57 million conspiracy to steal – re widescale thefts of rare rhino horn and jade artefacts from museums for resale in China. Also appeared in the subsequent POCA proceedings listed for 5 days, securing a £1 order on behalf of his client in the face of a £30m benefit figure.

R v O – Defence in allegations of gang related intimidation of a key witness informant placed in witness protection following a murder trial. Client was a professional footballer with Leyton Orient.

Professional Discipline

SRA v JS – Darren represented a solicitor under direct access in a 13-day hearing facing allegations of misuse of client money to settle a civil claim against the firm, misleading the high court in litigation against the firm and non-disclosure of material facts in a covid business interruption loan application.

NMC v G – Instructed by the Royal College of Nursing to defend practice nurse specialisng in treating drug addicts. Allegations of prescribing methadone contrary to private employer’s practice. This nurse was a former leading NHS specialist in drug treatment who had joined a private clinic undertaking NHS contracts. Successfully defended all allegations, calling experts Dame Clare Gerrada (President RCGP) and Sir John Strang.

NMC v T – Instructed by the Royal College of Nursing to defend surgical nurse facing allegations of sexual assault to several female patient recovering from surgery. Nurse had been acquitted in a crown court trial. All allegations of sexual assault not proved. I also appeared in a subsequent DBS appeal – Tirol v DBS where the Disclosure & Barring Service conceded the appeal where they had refused to remove this nurse from the barred list preventing return to nursing.

GMC v K – Instructed through Advocate I provided pro bono advice to doctor facing fitness to practice charges re conviction for drug supply. He was a serving prisoner at the time of his MPTS hearing and granted day release to attend. I provided advice throughout the hearing. Whilst struck off I subsequently provided advice, again pro bono, at his application to be readmitted to practice following release from prison and significant evidence of rehabilitation.

NMC v N – Instructed by the Royal College of Nursing representing mental health nurse where patient committed suicide. Allegations of negligent assessment of patient and falsifying records. 6-week hearing. Findings of dishonesty and clinical failures but in context of a young nurse with minimal training/support – resolved with a caution. Professional Standards Appeal to the High Court which found sanction as unduly lenient.  Upon NMC rehearing on sanction the case resolved with a short suspension enabling the nurse to return to work with full support of her employer.

NMC v G – Instructed by the Royal College of Nursing. Nurse heading a covid vaccine center in East London faced multiple allegations of racism and bulling. Cross examination uncovered the complainant had made secret recordings which once disclosed undermined the case. All charges dismissed at half time on a submission of no case. The Professional Standards Authority have intervened and case remitted back to the NMC to proceed on lesser charges.

NMC v D – Instructed by the Royal College of Nursing representing mental health nurse re allegations of failures to monitor & treat MH patient in the community. Patient murdered his grandmother – patient convicted of diminished responsibility due to unmedicated MH state at time. 3-week NMC hearing leading to striking off order. I mediated a meeting between the family and the nurse during the hearing to enable a direct apology and explanation.

England Cricket Board v C – Represented the appellant, a semi – professional coach and player, before a safeguarding appeal panel in respect of a life ban from coaching & playing cricket following social media contact with teenage girls of an inappropriate nature and in breach of safeguarding guidance. Appeal focused upon enabling a return to playing cricket.

Lawn Tennis Association v JP – Instructed through Sports Resolution’s Pro Bono Panel – Represented the Appellant, a professional tennis coach, in an appeal against an LTA Safeguarding Panel decision to impose a lifetime ban from tennis in respect of allegations of sexual misconduct with under 16s male players. Criminal proceedings discontinued through lack of evidence. Prosecuted by a KC, Lifetime ban imposed.

UK Anti-Doping v DB – Instructed by Sports Resolutions Pro Bono Panel. Represented Rugby League player found to have taken cocaine out of competition. Negotiated proposed 2-year suspension reduced to 3 months under 2021 UKAD Regulations.

NMC v GP – Instructed by Royal College of Midwives & Thompsons Solicitors representing midwife who faced allegations of negligent assessment of pregnant lady, resulting in still birth days later. Allegations the midwife tried to cover up failings & falsify records. Findings of limited clinical failures, no integrity or dishonesty issues found proved – resolved with a caution.

HCPC v M – Instructed by Thompsons. Represented a paramedic facing allegations of negligent clinical assessment where patient later died. All allegations dismissed following uncovering of evidence of intervening events with the patient – known by employers’ investigators but not disclosed to this registrant nor to coroner at an inquest. All charges dismissed on submission of no case to answer.

"He is an extremely competent, hardworking and reliable advocate…..complimented by his engaging personality and ease to communicate with."Defence Solicitor

"Darren has defended in several sensitive and complex cases and chaired a number of high-profile police misconduct cases this year".Professional Discipline – Leading juniors (Legal 500 2023)

"Darren is effective in cross examination and is able to clearly present our case. From the perspective of an instructing solicitor, he provides regular updates throughout the case which I find invaluable."Professional Discipline - Leading Juniors (Legal 500 - 2021)

"Effective in cross-examination".Crime - Leading Juniors (Legal 500 - 2020)

"Excellent for client care, as well as providing detailed advice on evidence and appeals."Crime - Leading Juniors (Legal 500 - 2019)

"He can cut through the uncertainty to get to the heart of the issue".Crime - Leading Juniors (Legal 500 - 2018)

"He has an eye for detail, he is always calm and he provides cogent, sensible advice".Defence Solicitor

"Darren acted in a particularly sensitive & complex case pursued by the NMC relating to the still birth of a baby and the actions of a community midwife. The case required sensitive cross examination together with careful handling of the registrant in evidence in chief to support her through her evidence. Resolved as a caution, it was a fantastic outcome achieved in a a very challenging case."Senior Solicitor, Thompsons

"Approachable, personable and gives clear strategic advice and guidance to his lay clients and has the ability to simplify complex evidence in modern language that a lay client can understand".Defence Solicitor

"Darren is skilled in building a rapport with a client whilst at the same time providing a realistic assessment of the what the outcome may be. My clients have found that to be of enormous help".Lawyer, Royal College of Nursing