IntroductionIntroduction
Since being called to the Bar in 1989 Jane has developed a strong practice in all areas of Criminal Law and regulatory discipline. Prior to taking Silk in March 2012 Jane was a Grade 4 Prosecutor and on the London Rape Specialist List. She is licensed to receive instruction direct from members of the public.
Sexual Offences
As well as being a specialist Rape prosecutor as a junior Jane developed a reputation as a formidable advocate in this area of crime. She has years of extensive experience acting both for the Crown and for the defence in cases involving the most serious and complex allegations of sexual misconduct. Her experience and skill when dealing with vulnerable witnesses is extensive and she has continued her practise now that she is in Silk.
Jane’s expertise in this area is recognised and she regularly lectures on aspects of the law on sexual offences.
R v Jaji (2013 – Old Bailey)
Jane was recently instructed, in Silk, to defend in this matter which involved an allegation of Rape over 3 hours by an 18 year old defendant on an 11 year old child. BBC News Story here
R v Paul Roberts (2013 – Croydon CC)
Instructed in Silk to defend in this matter which involved historical multi-victim rape and sexual abuse allegations, with victims as young as 4 years.
R v Gueli (2012 – Luton CC)
Successfully prosecuted this defendant for the false imprisonment and sexual assault of an autistic 12 year old boy and his friend.
Jane is currently instructed to defend in an exceptionally complex case, involving multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, dating back 50 years, in which there are 12 complainants.
Murder & Serious Crime
R v Jack Wall (2013 – Luton Crown Court)
Has been instructed whilst in Silk to prosecute this defendant who faces an allegation of Murder and of burying the body of his victim and girlfriend. BBC News story here
R v Mark Anthony Tullock (2013 - Old Bailey)
Instructed in Silk to defend this young defendant against an allegation of murder. The defendant was acquitted but convicted of manslaughter following a four week trial. Times news story here
R v Richard Henry
Instructed in Silk in this matter in which the defendant stabbed his girlfriend to death. The case involved complex mental health issues which, following extended litigation resulted in an acceptance by the Crown of a plea to manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility. BBC News story here
R v Islam (2013 – Old Bailey)
Instructed in Silk to defend in this case which involved an allegation of murder by this defendant on his wife in front of their young child.
R v Lis and Skrodska (2012 – St Albans CC)
Jane was instructed in Silk to prosecute parents who caused the life limiting brain damage of their 8 week old baby by shaking. The baby had a catalogue of other serious injuries. Following conviction Jane advised on a reference of sentence to the Attorney General which was ultimately successful. In 2012, instructed in Silk, successfully defended a young female foreign national who had been charged with perverting the course of justice after she had given evidence for the Crown in an allegation of gang rape.
Just before taking Silk Jane successfully prosecuted a multi-handed case in which a number of law students and other individuals were charged with a series of armed robberies on mobile phone shops.
She also successfully prosecuted an 8 handed conspiracy to money launder across international boundaries. The case has ongoing, multi-million pound confiscation proceedings.
Fraud and related Crime
As a junior and in Silk Jane has broad experience of prosecuting for the CPS Fraud department and of defending in all kinds of serious Fraud.
In Silk in 2012, Jane was instructed to prosecute other silks in Birmingham Crown Court in an allegation of Mortgage Fraud.
Jane is currently instructed to defend the first defendant in an allegation of conspiracy to defraud a company of upwards of £10 million due to begin at Southwark Crown Court in the autumn of 2013.
Regulatory/Disciplinary
Jane has extensive experience defending Police Officers of all ranks both before the Crown Court, before Police disciplinary tribunals and before the Police Appeal Tribunal. She has also conducted advisory work relating to investigations by the IPCC and other police related matters.
During years of defending before these regulatory tribunals Jane has appeared before the tribunals of Thames Valley Police, The Metropolitan Police, Surrey, Manchester, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Cambridgshire Constabularies.
These cases have involved a wide range of allegations.
Since taking Silk Jane has advised senior members of the Police Federation on sensitive, complex and confidential matters.
She has also been instructed privately to represent a former police officer client in the Crown Court. She successfully defended the charges that would otherwise have certainly resulted in imprisonment.
Memberships
Executive Committee Member of the Criminal Bar Association.
Member of South Eastern Circuit.
Registered Pupil Supervisor
Education
Deyes High School, Liverpool.
LLB (Hons) Manchester Metropolitan University
Interests
Everton Football Club.
Amateur dramatics.
Theatre.
Food and wine.
Notable cases as a Junior - Leading counsel for the Crown in 6 handed kidnap and blackmail.
- Prosecuted murder case involving significant problems of causation/intervening act.
- Prosecutions of accountants/company directors under POCA.
- Representing Crown in Appeal against Conviction (S41 cross-examination on previous sexual history of complainant).
- Leading counsel for defence in 6 handed kidnap, blackmail and false imprisonment.
- Leading counsel for defence in 5 handed multi-million pound drug importation.
- Defending in murder of barmaid by stamping in course of robbery of public house.
- Defending grandmother for murder of her 2 year old granddaughter (defence of diminished responsibility).
- Defending police officer for multiple victim rape allegations.
- Defending police officer for multiple sexual offences (similar fact).
- Defending police officer for causing death by dangerous driving of Oxford Student whilst responding to emergency call.
- Representing Detective Inspector for sexual harassment of his female staff.
- Representing Family Liason Officer for 16 charges of incompetence and inappropriate behaviour in the wake of a murder.
- Representing Custody Sergeant following a death in custody'
- Representing a TSG officer for use of excessive force following the Brixton Riots.
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