Criminal
Rob specialises in prosecuting and defending serious criminal cases, particularly matters of fraud; drug trafficking; money laundering; counterfeiting and sexual offences, but also including murder; conspiracy to murder and serious multi-handed violence. He has particular expertise in analysing, interpreting and presenting evidence obtained from mobile telephones, computers and banking materials.
Rob has experience in conducting ancillary matters including Proceeds of Crime Act applications involving many millions of pounds; contested applications for Production Orders; extradition proceedings and applications to extend police detention. He has acted for companies and individuals in more esoteric matters such as marine pollution; contravention of BSE export regulations; and breaches of aviation safety regulations.
Rob is a category 4 CPS prosecutor who is on the Rape and Child Sexual Abuse List, the Fraud Panel, the Serious Crime Panel and Proceeds of Crime Panel. He regularly conducts prosecutions for CPS Specialist Fraud Division, Complex Crime Unit and Organised Crime Division and has advised HMRC’s Criminal Advisory Team on policy matters, particularly in relation to applications for Search Warrants and Production Orders.
Criminal Cases
Op Bugle – 2 trials now concluded with considerable publicity in Lancashire Evening Post. All 6 Defendants convicted including 2 qualified solicitors, one trainee solicitor and a paralegal.
New case of Op Tandem due for trial in July 2017 – CPS Manchester Complex Crime Unit prosecution of a GMP Serious Organised Crime Group investigation of a series of cash in transit bank robberies & associated firearm offences across the north of England.
Op MFB (2011-2014) – First Junior for joint HMRC/Lancashire Constabulary prosecution of a £120 million VAT carousel/export mis-declaration fraud, conspiracy to supply counterfeit clothing and associated money-laundering.
Op Cadland/Lark (2013) – CPS prosecution of Merseyside gang involved in the supply of heroin and cocaine to Scotland, the industrial scale production of TFMPP and a network of cannabis farms.
R v Bajwa & Others [2012] 1 Cr App R (S) 23 – Leading Junior instructed by CPS Central Fraud Group to conduct POCA proceedings in cigarette importation which became the authority for the application of the 6 month rule under s75 POCA.
Op Erasure (2010) – First Junior for RCPO prosecuting a £20 million MTIC fraud.
R v Herriman & Rowe (2010) – CPS prosecution of Supply Officer at RAF Spadeadam for fraud.
Op Bridewell (2009) – CPS prosecution of Cumbrian drug trafficking.
R v Harrison (2009) – CPS prosecution of multiple rape of 13 year-old.
R v Issekya (2009) – DWP prosecution of West African gang involved in the theft, manipulation and presentation of over £400k of benefit cheques.
Op Goodies (2009) – Leading junior in RCPO confiscation proceedings obtaining orders totalling over £10 million following tobacco importation.
R (Faisaltex Ltd) v Preston Crown Court [2009] 1 Cr App R 37 – Junior for HMRC in Judicial Review of search warrants.
Op Lexis (2008) – Leading Junior in RCPO prosecution of £55 million MTIC fraud.
Op Kinglet (2007) – Junior in RCPO prosecution of importation of cocaine by light plane
