John has been practising serious crime for over 20 years. Both as an independent member of the Bar and as the manager of an in-house Crown Court team he has an approachable but persuasive style. He spent many years in the airline industry before choosing to read law and coming to the Bar. He has a no nonsense approach coupled with an easy style particularly liked by juries.

When defending his successful acquittals in even the most serious cases have given rise to a respected reputation amongst professional and lay clients. His sensitive handling of cases involving children, the vulnerable and persons with mental health difficulties has garnered repeated praise from Judges.

John is a Grade 4 and RASSO prosecutor.

Key cases & testimonials

R v P. Luton Crown Court. 2023/4. Operation Broome. Junior alone, KC for the Crown.

Murder. D smothered and killed vulnerable female V. Over 3 months dismembered and deposited body parts in rubbish bins around Hertfordshire.

R v MC. Bristol CC. 2023/4. Operation Blanca. Leading.

7 handed drugs conspiracy. 6 weeks. Importation of components for “spice”.

R v SL. Swindon CC. 2024.

Rape and sexual assaults of 2 vulnerable elderly victims (autistic, epileptic, etc.) Complaints over 4 years. Cross-admissibility, similar facts, cross-examination of vulnerable adults with many severe disabilities, ISVA’s and intermediaries.

R v AW. Reading CC. Junior alone. 2024.

Rape. D 17, 25 at trial and sentence. Victim taken ketamine. D with autism, ADHD, etc. Trial and sentence extremely complex. Exceptionally non-custodial sentence was passed.

2023/4 : Co-author of  “Crossing the Rubicon : implications of s.75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015 for consent and reasonable belief in consent in Sexual Offences Act 2003 offences – Crim. L.R. 2023, 8, 512 – 529. A discussion on the potential change in the law of consent concerning non-fatal strangulation compared with (e.g.) rape where reasonable belief in consent suffices. [Now substantively replied to by Omerod and Kelly Crim L.R. 2025,1,22-40].

2023/4  : Co-opted member of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) in the Alkyl Nitrites Working Group providing legal advice to the Home Secretary on the application of the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, the legality of using and supplying alkyl nitrites (“poppers”) and whether an exemption should apply.

Operation Income, R v. BM & others (2023 Oxford) – Murder. Defending. Multi-handed trial in what was known as “The Jericho Murder”. Complex issues on the facts and interpretation of joint enterprise relating to defendants’ actions immediately after a fatal blow. Acquitted.

R v. A (2022/23, Swindon) – Child Cruelty. Defending. s.28 cross-examination of 2 child witnesses and subsequent trial alleging cruelty over may years ultimately causing the children to flee the family home. Acquitted.

R v. MP (2023, Oxford) – Rape. Defending. Knifepoint rape of a vulnerable 60 year old woman with learning difficulties.

R v. KC & others (2022, Reading)

Murder. Defending. Multi-handed gang related attack involving 1 fatality. Complex analysis of cell-site and CCTV evidence as well as issues of joint enterprise.

R v. SE (2021, Central Criminal Court) – Terrorism. Defending. D gathering and disseminating articles to contacts in the Middle East used for bomb making and propaganda.

John is respected by Judges and extremely persuasive with juries. Defendants enjoy his down-to-earth approach. We have instructed him in the most serious matters for many years because of his outstanding abilities. Reeds Solicitors
Formidable and confident in court. Judges, defendants and juries alike are always impressed. A go-to person for the most serious offencesAlbin & Co. Solicitors

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