Crime

RECENT CRIMINAL CASES INCLUDE

R v Levi Bellfield – the abduction and murder of schoolgirl Milly Dowler. Junior defence counsel led by Jeffrey Samuels QC, trial May-June 2011, Old Bailey and instructed to act in relation to the investigation into the “phone hacking” of Milly Dowler’s mobile telephone by an investigator on behalf of the News of the World. Also instructed in the appeal review of Bellfield’s earlier murder convictions of Marsha McDonnell and Amelie Delagrange, and the attempted murder conviction of Kate Sheedy (convicted February 2008);

R v Moen & others - a multi-handed multi-million pound "missing trader / carousel" VAT fraud, prosecuted by HM Customs and Excise, led by Richard Ferguson QC. This case was the largest of its kind in Custom’s history. Philip was instructed to represent a high-ranking customs officer who had corruptly provided assistance and counterfeited documents to the organised syndicate responsible for the fraudulent operation;

R v McLeod & others - "Brass Handles" murder trial, successful acquittal of Warren Mason, led by David Steer QC. This case involved an attempt by one Manchester gang to murder a member of a rival gang in the Brass Handles public house. However, those attempting to shoot the intended victim were themselves chased from the pub and shot dead;

R v Jacobsen – murder, prosecution, led by Andrew Menary QC. A case in which the defendant plunged a bayonet into the chest of a neighbour causing his death as a result of a disagreement over the volume music was being played at;

R v Nichol-Andrews – a case alleging multiple counts of child cruelty, effectively amounting to sadism, defending, led by Jeffrey Samuels QC. This was an allegation by two foster children that the defendant, their foster parent, had over a significant number of years abused and assaulted each of them. The case involved a huge trawl through many years’ worth of Social Service and Local Authority paperwork relating to each girl. The defendant was acquitted of all counts.

R v Day & others - Multi-handed cut-throat murder, led by David Steer QC. A gang of 10 youths each blamed the other for the murder of another youth in a house party in Manchester;

R v Buckley – murder of an elderly man during the course of a violent robbery, cut-throat defence, led by David Fish QC;

R v Tyrer & others - "Merchants of Death" international gun smuggling and conversion into live firearms case, led by Keith Harrison. This case represented one of the largest conversion operations in the country and certainly in Greater Manchester. Philip was instructed to represent the defendant accused of being the organiser of the operation and the principal defendant;

R v Higham - prosecution of "baby shaking" case, appeared alone;

R v McDonagh – prosecution of escaped prisoner serving life for attempted murder, appeared alone;

R v Murphy, Dougan and Twigg – prosecution of violent “home invasion” robberies and subsequent child abduction, appeared alone. 

Regulatory

RECENT REGULATORY CASES INCLUDE:

In the matter of Re VH – Article 2 inquest, death in custody HMP Styal. Philip acted for the NHS Trust responsible for providing health care to the prison;

In the matter of Re HC – Article 2 inquest, as above;

In the matter of Re LM – Article 2 inquest, as above;

In the matter of Re SC – Article 2 inquest, HMP Liverpool, as above;

In the matter of NH and CH – Systems neglect inquest, representing the NHS Trust

In the matter of BM – Inquest, death in the workplace, heavy machinery

Re: Constable Sweeney – police disciplinary contested hearing, Liverpool

Re: Sergeant Carr – police disciplinary contested hearing, Cheshire;

Re: Inspector Riaz – police disciplinary;

Traffic Commissioner v Lantec – vehicle axle overloading;

Rochdale Council v Sultan & Sultan – breach of restraint order, unauthorised sale of property;

The Environment Agency v Lancaster – scrap metal prosecution, Cumbria.