Laura is a highly experienced criminal lawyer who has over 20 years’ experience defending in serious criminal offences. She has represented clients at every stage of their proceedings from the investigation stage and initial police interview, the Magistrates and Crown Court, the Court of Appeal and the High Court with extradition cases.
With Laura’s extensive experience, she has defended in a multitude of offences and has a particular interest in preparing serious, complex and large-scale offences. She is regularly instructed to prepare the most serious of offences which proceed before the Crown Court. Laura has a tenacious and methodical approach to her preparation, with a particular emphasis on matters relating to disclosure, which is of paramount importance in the preparation of sizeable cases such as multi-handed drug conspiracies, as well as in historic matters and sexual offences.
As a result of Laura’s attention to detail, she regularly achieves outstanding results for her clients such as: the investigation not proceedings to charge, proceedings being discontinued before trial, no evidence being offered and securing acquittals at trial.
Laura provides clear and honest advice in a personable and sensitive manner yet remains a formidable opponent to the prosecution.
Areas of work
Sexual Allegations
Laura has amassed significant experience in defending in sexual offences cases which includes allegations of Rape, Indecent Assault, Child Sex Offences, Offences Involving Abuse of Trust, Familiar Sex Offences, Indecent Image cases, Human Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation, Grooming, Historical Sexual Abuse, Revenge Pornography and Possession of Extreme Pornography.
Laura is aware of the impact that allegations of this nature have upon those who have been accused of sexual offences and those closest to them, which is why she leaves no stone unturned and is completely discreet when preparing the cases for trial. Also, due to the high-profile and high net worth individuals that Laura represents, she acts in the strictest of confidence and works closely with our reputational management team to protect her clients further.
Serious & Complex Crime
Laura has defended in many high-profile cases including allegations of murder, kidnap, drug conspiracies, commercial robberies, fraud, and other offences involving serious violence. Her representation extends to the ancillary proceedings such as Proceeds of Crime Act applications and Serious Crime Prevention Orders.
Laura has an excellent network of expert witnesses and specialist barristers which she regularly works with to secure the best possible outcome and her results speak for themselves.
Notable Cases
Sexual Allegations
- R v K: Medical Professional accused of multiple sexual assaults. Client acquitted of all counts after trial.
- R v K: Allegation of Rape. No further action taken following submissions regarding pre-charge engagement with the investigating officer.
- R v S: Religious Practitioner charged with multiple counts of historic sexual offences. Expert witnesses including toxicologists and psychiatrists instructed. Client acquitted of all counts after trial.
- R v W: Care worker charged with multiple allegations of rape and sexual assault against a service user who had mental disorders. Client acquitted of all counts after trial.
- R v B: Prosecution of multiple defendants for human trafficking for sexual exploitation. Following further investigation by the defence, further relevant evidence was uncovered which resulted in lesser charges being offered by the prosecution during the trial.
Serious & Complex Crime
- R v W: Allegation of Murder. No further action taken following lengthy police interviews and representations made at a hearing for a warrant of further detention.
- R v R: Multi-handed county lines drugs conspiracy. Significant issues raised in relation to the disclosure process and robust defence raised including the instruction of multiple experts. Client acquitted of all offences at trial.
- R v L: Mother accused of causing serious harm to her child. No evidence offered following written submissions in relation to the relevant case law to be applied. Not guilty verdicts recorded.
- R v D: Multi-handed murder allegation. Case dismissed following instruction of numerous expert witnesses and submission to the court of no case to answer.
- R v O: Multi-handed allegation of perverting the course of justice. No evidence offered following written representations to the prosecution regarding the Full Code Test. Not guilty verdicts entered for both clients.
- R v X: Arrest for murder. No further action following instruction of independent defence experts which showed issues in relation to causation.
- R v D: A large, historic, multi-handed Trading Standards prosecution for alleged offences of Fraud. Successful application of no case to answer (which was based on legal issues taken in relation to disclosure) was made and the client was found not guilty.
- R v H: Multiple defendants charged with Entering into a Money Laundering Arrangement. Secured a suspended sentence and nominal confiscation order.
- R v S: Multi-handed drug conspiracy. Case dismissed at the conclusion of the prosecution case following a successful submission to the court of no case to answer.
- R v M: Multimillion pound VAT fraud conspiracy. Client received a suspended prison sentence.
Memberships
- Advocate & Fellow of Institute of The Institute of Legal Executives
- Laura is a member of Cilex’s specialist reference group for criminal practitioners which contributes to the future development of criminal law.
- North West Fraud Forum