Oliver King
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Personal Profile
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Oliver is an experienced member of the criminal team who prosecutes and defends offences of all seriousness. He mainly appears at the Crown Court but is also familiar with the Military Courts Martial, Parole Board and Special Adjudicator.
Defence
Oliver has developed a strong defence practice and is well regarded by those who instruct him.
He has a reputation for being approachable and friendly – qualities which he regards as important when dealing with particularly demanding clients.
As well as defending at the Crown Court, Oliver has experience of conducting trials before the Military Courts Martial. He also represents those in custody who appear before the Special Adjudicator and Parole Board.
In 2008, he defended one of three men charged with murder where the Crown subsequently took a plea to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
In 2009 he successfully defended a Slovakian lorry driver who was accused of causing death by dangerous driving.
In June 2010 Oliver fought off a closure notice under the Anti Social Behaviour Act brought by Greater Manchester Police against a private children’s home. It was the first such case in the UK and was closely watched by police forces and private care homes alike.
Prosecution
A category 3 prosecutor, Oliver mainly prosecutes cases on behalf of the CPS. These include offences of rape, serious violence, armed robbery, blackmail, burglary and large scale drug supply.
In 2003 he appeared for the Crown in Operation “Packet”, which saw large scale cocaine suppliers operating in Cheshire receive substantial custodial sentences.
In 2005 he was junior in a case which resulted in the conviction of a foster parent for sexually abusing children in his care.
In 2009 he was junior in a multi-handed conspiracy to steal British passports, a case which featured on regional news.
In January 2011 he successfully prosecuted three men who terrorised another man in his flat at gun point. All three men received long sentences.
In March, Oliver represented the Crown in Operation “Ayers” which saw a prolific heroin supplier in Warrington taken out of circulation.
On behalf of H.M. Customs and Revenue, Oliver has presented cases involving VAT fraud and income tax evasion running into thousands of pounds.
For the Department for Work and Pensions he has prosecuted those caught dishonestly claiming benefits.
Oliver also advises and represents local trading standards departments in bringing so called rogue traders before the courts.
Other Information
Oliver has lectured at the Universities of Chester and Central Lancashire.
Oliver is involved in the assessment of police officers of chief inspector rank and upwards at the National Policing Improvement Agency.
Oliver is a member of the Criminal Bar Association and the Northern Circuit.
Areas of Expertise:
Email: clerk@stjohnsbuildings.co.uk
Telephone: 01244 323070
Crime
Links to reported defence cases
R v Plummer - Gang of five jailed for targeted attack (From Warrington Guardian) 9 Dec 2010
R v Williams - Wrexham bipolar cannabis user (From The Leader) 31 Aug 2010
R v Torrence - Golfer custody for holding 'gun' (BBC) 2 Jan 2009
R v Ratowski - Judge hits out at train graffiti artists (From Wirral Globe) 13 Jul 2010
R v Reece - Knife-point robbery (The Leader) 13 Aug 2010
R v Hughes - Deeside man jailed for 'disgusting' driving offence (Flintshire Chronicle) - 16 Sep 2010
R v Wilde - Powys man grew cannabis to treat high blood pressure - 31 Dec 2009
R v Bradley - Killer jailed for three years (Macclesfield Express) - 11 Jun 2008
Links to reported prosecution cases
R v Evans - Karen Evans killed her son, Jordan, in fast and erratic driving (Daily Mail) 1 March 2011
R v Hughes - Doorman is jailed ... (The Leader) 18 Feb 2011
R v Krause- Hartford woman appeals against harassment conviction and sentence (Northwich Guardian) 10 Feb 2011
R v Robinson - Eden huntsman beat fox to its death (The Westmorland Gazette) 21 Jul 2010
R v Thompson, Naughton & Chadburn - Thugs who threatened victim with firearm and smashed bottle (Weekly News) 27 Jan 2011
R v Jones, Newell, Norford & another - Armed gang jailed for jewellery raid (This Is Cheshire) 18 Jun 2009
R v Roberts Former Iraq veteran jailed after attack on Bridge Street (Warrington Guardian) 9 Feb 2010
R v Williams - Jail for knife 'torture' attack (BBC) 21 Jul 2008
R v Hewitt - Man, 34, sexually assaulted 15-year-old girl in Runcorn (Runcorn and Widnes World) 1 Dec 2010
Regulatory
Police Discipline
Oliver spent six years working both as a constable and civilian within Kent Police. This experience gave him an insight into the reality of policing. Oliver believes this knowledge coupled with his ten years’ experience as an advocate puts him in a very strong position to defend police officers accused of misconduct.
In 2003, in a high profile case, he successfully defended a Metropolitan police officer both at the Magistrates’ Court and before the disciplinary panel (Met Police v Daniel Maskell).
Other Regulatory
Oliver is building a reliable reputation for his work in this area. He has advised and represented several local hauliers upon road traffic (construction and use) regulations and has appeared on behalf of VOSA when breaches of regulations are brought before the Magistrates’ Courts.