Hojol Uddin joined JMW Solicitors in May 2017 as a Partner in the Business Crime & Regulation Department. Hojol is Head of Motoring due to his expertise in such offences. Alongside his extensive practice in Motoring, Hojol also undertakes the defence of all serious criminal prosecutions with ranging offences.

Motoring Offences

Hojol has leading experience in all motoring offences with particularly niche expertise in evidentially and legally complicated cases relating to dangerous and careless driving, (including death cases), drink driving, drug driving and speeding offences.

He deals with individual clients and corporations who instruct him, whom are being investigated by Police Forces throughout England and Wales. Hojol has dealt with thousands of cases and advised many more, with a significant proportion of his cases coming by recommendations and referrals from other Solicitors to assist their client’s requirement, and client recommendations. Hojol is required on many occasions to deal with cases, which have transferred directly to him due to poor preparation, and service where his meticulous and personal service is key to the case, with rectifying any flaws that have already occurred.

Hojol’s approach is unique, very direct when advising clients and tailors it to his client’s requirements.

Hojol represents all members of the public and is a very approachable individual and can assist you in any driving related issues you have, that are at the Police station, Magistrates, Crown Court, Court of Appeal or High Court.

Serious Criminal Offences

Over recent years, Hojol’s serious criminal offence practices has significantly expanded with his team now defending prosecutions being brought by the National Crime Agency (NCA), Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). In addition, Hojol also offers advice in cases involving serious and organised crime, specifically with an international element involving extradition. He has acted for clients in France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Turkey and Dubai.

Hojol has successful experience dealing with a variety of offences, these include the following:

  • Murder or Manslaughter
  • Conspiracy to supply Class A/B/C Drugs
  • Participating in an Organised Crime Group
  • Grievous Bodily Harm, Actual Bodily Harm and Assault (Including Domestic Violence)
  • Firearms and Offensive Weapons
  • Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings relating to Money Laundering and Fraud
  • Malicious Communication Offences
  • Controlling and Coercive behaviour
  • Stalking and Harassment
  • Arson
  • Perverting Course of Justice

Court of Appeal and High Court Judicial Review or Case Stated

Hojol advises and undertakes Judicial Review of the decisions of Magistrates’ Courts. Hojol has previously represented defendants for drink driving and been successful in challenging cases to the High Court. 

Hojol has also recently undertaken an application to the High Court in order to seek clarity within the Criminal Justice System for Judicial Review. This was the first application of its kind and has now left the doors open for future challenges.

Hojol is currently advising several individuals relating to fraud, confiscation proceedings and death by dangerous driving relating to challenging the decision of the Crown Court.

DVLA Medical Revocation

Hojol has also established a reputation for his expertise and experience in the field of DVLA Medical Revocation of Driving Licences, having an in-depth knowledge of the DVLA’s Guidance on Fitness to Drive and the process of challenging a revocation. His successes in this area have included securing the return of licences to those alleged to suffer from alcohol misuse/dependence, cough syncope, diabetes, and eye defects. Such is his expertise in this area leading to Hojol appearing on the BBC to comment on these issues with particular emphasis on the “Glasgow bin lorry case”.

Notable Cases

Hojol deals with so many niche and complex cases that not each can be listed or explained. However, if your case does not fall in any of the below, then please contact Hojol directly and no doubt he will be in a position to assist.

Serious Criminal Defence

  1. R v C – ROCU Investigation and NCA Most Wanted - Manchester Crown Court - Conspiracy to Commit Murder. Involved extradition from Portugal and thereafter a trial on being involved in an Organised Crime Group (OCG) resulting in the death of a rival member of a separate OCG. Callum Halpin: One of UK's most wanted fugitives arrested in Portugal in connection with Manchester murder | UK News | Sky News
  2. R V S – NCA (Pre-Charge) – Client is under investigation for substantial amounts of monies relating to cash and gold bullion. The client was on strict pre charge conditions by the NCA. These were successfully resisted, and the client is free to travel with his passport and begin trading again.
  3. R V AM - NCA Most Wanted (Pre Charge and Post Charge) – Bristol Crown Court - Successful opposition to conditions pre charge for Conspiracy to Supply Class A and Class B. Successful extradition process in Lisbon supreme court on Habeous Corpus application. Thereafter successful negotiations for withdrawal of firearms offences upon extradition back to England and Wales from Morrocco. Most wanted man pleads guilty to drug supply charges
  4. R v WB – ROCU Investigation – Manchester Crown Court - Conspiracy to Commit Murder, this related to OCG’s attacking one another with weapons including grenades, shotguns, as well as a chainsaw and machetes. This case including significant cell site, ANPR, telephone evidence, radio frequency. There were also vehicle trackers and counter surveillance undertaken by the OCG’s. Result - This case drew national attention and our client was unanimously acquitted. Gangs behind murders of John Kinsella and Paul Massey sponsoring new wave of violent crime
  5. R v Z and others – NCA and ROCU – Manchester Crown Court - Conspiracy to Supply Class A/B and Participating in an Organised Crime Group. This was the leader of an OCG dubbed “Mr Big”. Following a thorough analysis of the prosecution evidence and the careful presentation of the defendant’s case, an Result - unanimous not guilty verdict was reached in respect of all of the counts faced by the client. Convicted drug baron back behind bars - cops suspect he was up to no good again - Manchester Evening News
  6. R v M and others – ROCU – Cardiff Crown Court - Money Laundering using Cryptocurrency - Resulted in the Prosecution formally offering no evidence against our client. Result - Our client was the only client to not be convicted or sentenced for the allegation. Crime gang laundered £4.6m of cocaine money in cryptocurrency.
  7. R v C – ROCU - Attempted Murder – Lewes Crown Court – This involved rival motorcycle groups seeking to attack one another. One individual was severely injured with multiple wounds. The client was originally represented by another firm and during the festive period instructed Hojol, with less than 4 weeks negotiations took place to remove the attempted murder charged to a section 18 GBH. The client was extremely pleased. Hells Angels left rival biker fighting for life after ‘revenge’ attack
  8. R v O and others – Cyber-Mandate Fraud – Portsmouth Crown Court - With the trial just a week away and after having received further disclosure from the prosecution we made further written representations as to why our client should not be prosecuted. Result - Within 24 hours the prosecution responded to confirm that no evidence (i.e. not guilty verdict) would be offered against our client at the first day of trial. Two men jailed for money laundering following Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary investigation
  9. R v P and Others - Possession of a Firearm, Ammunition and Assisting an Offender Proceedings – Manchester Crown Court – We were successful with an application to dismiss Count One (Possession of a Firearm) and Count Two (Possession of Ammunition), based on insufficient evidence. Following the application, Result - Count Three of the Indictment (Assisting an Offender) remained and the client was acquitted after trial. The incriminating crash footage that helped lock up gunmen for years
  10. R v K – Section 18 – Woolwich Crown Court - Grievous Bodily Harm to a Police officer whilst driving a motor vehicle - on the first day of Trial the Prosecution confirmed that they would not be pursuing any further action against Mr K in relation to the Grievous Bodily Harm charges. Result - resulting in the trial being collapsed.
  11. R v N – Harassment and Stalking – Aylesbury Crown Court - This was a clear case of manipulation by the complainant of the Police. However, the Police force failed to recognise this. Albeit some other Police forces had understood the tricks to mislead the Police where our client was not charged. However, he was subsequently charged (third attempt by the complainant). Result - This case proceeded to the trial and the case was successfully withdrawn on the day of trial, as we had prepared a defence bundle which showed the web of lies.
  12. R v H – Harassment - Tameside Magistrate Court - Result - Charge withdrawn in advance of the Trial due to the lack of evidence presented by the Prosecution following representations to the reviewing lawyer of the case.

Motoring Offences

  1. R v JB – Death by Dangerous Driving - York Crown Court – This case involved the defendant and drew substantial attention. This involved, mobile phone evidence, forensic experts on collisions, weather experts and also an GPS expert. We were able to demonstrate our client was not on his mobile phone at the time the accident occurred resulting the collision, reducing this from a Death by Dangerous to a Death by Careless Driving. Driver James Bryan who killed cyclist in fatal crash jailed - BBC News - Not Guilty Death by Dangerous Driving
  2. R v S – Death By Dangerous Driving- Snaresbrook Crown Court – This was an evidentially complicated case by the Homicide Team for Metropolitan Police. This involved, CCTV experts and collision experts. There was substantial disclosure requests, which ultimately resulted in the Homicide Team and CPS accepting our case and withdrawing the charge. Albeit we had accepted the lesser charge of Death by Careless Driving - Not Guilty Death by Dangerous Driving
  3. R v P Metropolitan Police, Death by Dangerous Driving – Result - No Further Action
  4. R v FN - Dangerous driving – Court of Appeal - appropriate length of the operational period of a suspended sentence: R. v Nadeem, CLW/23/30/10. Result – Court of Appeal Success
  5. R (on application of Andrea Hughes) v Macclesfield Magistrates’ Court [2013] EWHC 3993 (Admin)Judicial review in which the defendant’s conviction for drink driving was quashed in the High Court as she had been refused an adjournment to obtain medical evidence relating to “post alcohol consumption”. High Court – Successful Judicial Review
  6. R v S Trafford Magistrates Court, Drink Driving - One of Highest Recorded Readings in UK - 197 in breath – Result Suspended Sentence
  7. R v V - Worcester Crown Court, Drink Driving – Duress of Circumstances and client drove vehicle due to injuries suffered – Result Appeal Successful
  8. R v B York Magistrates Court, Dangerous Driving – Road Rage Incident from other driver (prosecuted for careless driving) and Crown Prosecute our client for Dangerous Driving – Result - Not Guilty after Trial
  9. R v J – Peterborough Magistrates Court – Excess Speed- 147 miles per hour – The client was being considered for potentially dangerous driving. However, this was reduced to excess speed only - Result - Not Guilty after Trial
  10. R v M – Preston Magistrates Court – Excess Speed (15 Offences) – The client had unbeknown to him committed 15 separate speeding offences over two weeks with speeds ranging from 60 to 75 mph in a 50 mph location. After successful arguments one offence was successful after trial, two others withdrawn leaving 12 offences. Client was at risk of a minimum of 42 points up to 54 Points. Result - 12 Offences - 42 Day Disqualification and No Points
  11. R v G – Sheffield Magistrates Court- Excess Speed – The client accumulated 24 Points resulting in them becoming a “Totter” – Result - Exceptional Hardship Successful

Interests

Hojol is a keen sports person who enjoys exercise and keeping fit. Hojol goes to the gym and plays football on a regular basis. He is also a car fanatic, which assists with his knowledge on motoring offences.

In addition to the above Hojol is also a trustee for Manchester Young Lives (MYL). MYL is a registered charity that has been working with children and young people in some of the most disadvantaged areas of Manchester for almost 50 years.

What His Peers Say

What His Clients Say

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Driving Offences Case Studies