Notable Cases
We have acted in a large number of high-profile and extremely complex cases.
Over the last few years, we have represented, Solicitors, police officers, court staff, accountants, psychiatrists, probation workers, professional footballers, football agents, licenced conveyancers and directors of high-profile companies. We have represented clients in all the major cities in the UK.
Gracie Spinks Inquest – Jury returns verdict of Unlawful Killing.
Harewood Law represented the family of Gracie Spinks after her tragic death at the Article 2 Jury Inquest, at Chesterfield Coroners Court. This inquest received unprecedented national press coverage. The Jury returned a verdict of Unlawful Killing, finding multiple accepted police failings and missed opportunities by Derbyshire Constabulary. The coroner is to do a comprehensive prevention of deaths report shortly.
Sajad Chaudhury of Harewood Law, Narita Bhara KC and Rachel Ferrari of 33 Chancery Lane represented the family.
Defendant Acquitted of Murder – High Profile case– Teesside Crown Court – 2023
The defendant and three others faced an allegation of Murder, the circumstances in summary were, that after a violent altercation, a group pursued the victim armed with weapons, a vehicle was then deployed to drive over the victim causing instant death. The defendant a youth denied the matter. The case was listed for trial at Teesside Crown Court. On the day of trial a number of the defendants pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The defendant was then acquitted by the judge, when the CPS decided to no longer pursue the matter against him.
Harwood Law instructed barristers Caroline Goodwin KC and Andrew Rutter of Trinity Chambers.
Historic Grooming Case – Defendant Acquitted after trial at Bradford Crown Court 2023 – R v S
Defendant faced historic, serious sexual allegations. The allegations were all denied. The matter proceeded to trial, all the evidence was put before the jury. The jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty to all counts on the indictment.
Harewood Law instructed Chloe Hudson of New Park Court Chambers.
R v A Conspiracy to Murder, Loughborough Crown Court 2023 – Defendant found Not Guilty
Harewood Law were instructed to represent one of the principal defendants in an ongoing feud between two families from the Birmingham Area. There was a history of violence including men being mown down by cars and a man stabbed to death. Eight defendants were tried for murder. The victim was shot in the head in a drive by shooting. The police undertook a complex investigation using Telephone and Cell Site evidence, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), Forensic and DNA evidence, CCTV and Imagery, Social Media, Computer and digital forensics. The defendant was said to be involved at every stage of the planning and the execution of offence. Our Defence team instructed their own Psychologist, Telephone, Cell Site, Computer and Digital Forensic Experts.
Paul Willams and Andrew Kerr of 33 Bedford Row were instructed.
News coverage: ITV | Express & Star
Harewood Law have been instructed in a high profile case by the family of Gracie Spinks (a victim of stalking) to deal with her Inquest
This case has attracted wide spread media attention the family have featured on Sky news, BBC, ITV and all national newspapers. The police have referred themselves to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) and an inquest will take place in 2022. The case involves the investigation done by the police after she had reported her stalker, which ultimately resulted in murder.
National news coverage: The Sun | Sky News | The Star
Corona virus law challenged as being in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), Articles 10 and 11 Prosecution withdraw case (R v S 2021)
Breach of Corona Virus Regulations by organising demonstrations in a lockdown. This was a high profile case that received a lot of press coverage as the defendant was said to be the leader of the ‘Unite the North’ group. The demonstration in Bradford resulted in a serious disorder and numerous officers being injured.
The defendant was said to be the head of the ‘Unite the North’ group who organised various demonstrations across the country, against ‘Covid Lockdowns’. The defendant did not deny attending the demonstration in Bradford City Centre and in fact had assisted the police prior to the demonstration so the police were aware of the demonstration but he did not accept being the organiser. The defendant argued that the right to protest was a fundamental right and a cornerstone of the rights we enjoy. The defendant had been arrested and charged. The defendants case was listed for legal arguments and trial.
Harewood Law prepared a substantial legal argument on the basis that the original regulations were in breach of the fundamental rights enshrined under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) specifically Article 10 which allows for the Freedom of Expression and Article 11 which allows for the Freedom of Assembly and Association. It was further argued that the regulations had been passed quickly without a thorough consideration of the practical impact which resulted in the erosion of the right to protest. Another factor was the confused application of the regulations by police forces across the country which made the application of the law inconsistent. On the day the legal argument was listed at court the prosecution discontinued the case. The defendant paid tribute to his legal team.
National news coverage of the cases can be seen here:
International conspiracies to import and supply drugs, firearms and money laundering, Luton Crown Court 2021
Harewood Law acted for a principal defendant in a case concerning international drugs conspiracies to import and supply class A and B drugs, associated money laundering, and possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition. The case was prosecuted and investigated by officers of the Organised Crime Partnership - a collaboration between the National Crime Agency and the Metropolitan Police.
The prosecution alleged that the client was a key participant in the drugs conspiracies, importing and then supplying class A and B drugs nationwide. A large scale cannabis factory was also discovered in the UK. It was alleged that millions of pounds in cash were moved between international jurisdictions. The case relied heavily on telephonic evidence, including Encrochat devices.
As a result of a series of successful disclosure requests and representations made by the defence team, the prosecution reviewed the case against the client five days into the trial and ultimately offered no evidence on the five conspiracy counts, both importing and supplying, indicted against the client.
To achieve this successful outcome, the defence had to challenge the evidence in these key areas, with the assistance of expert witnesses:
Telephone and Cell Site evidence
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) data
Forensic and DNA evidence
Covert recordings and surveillance
Firearms evidence
Financial Evidence
Drugs analysis
CCTV and Imagery
Computer and digital forensics
Narita Bahra QC and Hannah Thomas of 2 Hare Court were instructed.
Money Laundering Trial, Leeds Crown Court 2021 – Acquittal
This case began in 2016, a lengthy and complex investigation of an accountant who had been employed by a national firm. The accountant had set up a complex web which involved multiple companies, various banks and resulted in just short of a million pounds being redirected to various different bank accounts, controlled by him but not necessarily directly linked to him on paper. The accountant was described as a professional fraudster who had been linked to various other frauds against companies. The defendant who had no previous convictions and had previously been employed in the banking and finance sectors was said to have conspired with the accountant and assisted in moving hundreds of thousands of pounds via various accounts linked to her. The defendant denied the offence at the outset and maintained a not guilty plea throughout.
The defendant was acquitted by a jury after trial. The four year ordeal was over. Ian Hudson of Park Square Barristers was instructed.
Terrorism offences 2021 - Defence teams positive engagement with the opposition, in a terrorism trial, results in a just outcome.
The prosecution offered no evidence at trial, in a case where Harewood Law’s client was charged with two counts of encouraging terrorism contrary to section 1 Terrorism Act 2006. It transpired that their client was a young man whose mental health deteriorated during the covid pandemic and went undetected.
The prosecution alleged that the client published statements on Facebook that were likely to be understood by a reasonable person as a direct encouragement or other inducement to them to the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism or Convention offences and at the time of so doing, intended members of the public to be, or was reckless as to whether they would be, so encouraged.
The defence team instructed a series of experienced experts and psychiatrists to support the client’s defence.
Those reports formed the basis of enabling the defence to engage with the prosecution, CPS and Attorney General to successfully resolve the matters in the public and clients interests, without a trial.
The case appeared before the Recorder of Teeside Crown Court who endorsed the approach taken by all parties involved in the case, commenting “this is an example of a case which shows those who work in the criminal justice system in a very good light. Both sides worked constructively together to bring about a just outcome”.
Harewood Law instructed Narita Bahra QC and Harry Bentley of 2 Hare Court Chambers, London.
High-Profile Terrorist case, Conspiring to Commit Terrorism, Sheffield Crown Court - NOT GUILTY
We were involved in one of the highest profile terrorist cases in the UK. Our client appeared in the international news and on the front page of many newspapers for a number of years. The allegation was that he, along with others, had conspired to cause explosions in the UK.
This was an extremely complex case that we worked on for many years. The case involved fingerprint experts, phone experts, firework experts and members of the armed forces gave evidence. The original arrests sparked worldwide attention. Sky News, BBC News and many newspapers nicknamed the defendant "the Christmas bomber". His arrest was very high profile.
The case required a full team, including Queen's Counsel, a barrister and experts from a variety of teams. The defendant had been in the armed forces abroad.
The defendant faced two trials and a verdict of not guilty was recorded against him. In his press interviews, the defendant personally thanked our team for their hard work over the years.
In the News:
Derby Telegraph Article
Former British Soldier, Central Criminal Court London - Current
Harewood Law instructed to represent ex military man charged with terrorism offences. The case will be heard at the Central Criminal Court. The case involves the use of material considered to be explosive and publications considered to assist in terrorism. The matter is denied.
In the News:
BBC Article | Independent Article | Bristol Post Article
Counter-Terrorism Unit - Discontinued
The allegation was that the suspect had been involved in funding terrorism and was connected to known terrorists. The case was discontinued.
Conspiracy to Murder, Leeds Crown Court - NOT GUILTY
This case involved the murder of a rival gang member, who was stabbed to death in a drugs war. Eight defendants were charged with the murder. The case was based on phone and CCTV evidence. Bail was secured for the defendant, and after a lengthy trial, the defendant was found not guilty.
Attempted Murder, Bradford Crown Court - NOT GUILTY
This case was about large-scale disorder involving guns and weapons. Two rival gangs were fighting on the street, and serious injuries were sustained. The final verdict was not guilty.
Fraud, Bradford Crown Court - NOT GUILTY
A psychiatrist was charged with large-scale fraud involving multiple companies and money laundering. It was alleged that he was acting as a fake doctor and assessing clients. A not guilty verdict was reached at the trial.
Drugs Conspiracy, Bradford Crown Court - NOT GUILTY
After a large-scale police operation involving surveillance of various addresses, many kilos of drugs were found. Phone evidence, including cell site evidence, was relied upon in court. The defendant was found not guilty.
Counter-Terrorism Unit – Discontinued
The allegation was that the suspect and a group of others had been involved in posting terrorist propaganda and encouraging others to commit offences of terrorism. The case was discontinued.
Conspiracy to Murder, Manchester Crown Court - NOT GUILTY
The victim of this case was shot 17 times and a number of defendants were arrested. The case was centred around motive and complex phone evidence, including cell site evidence. Trackers were used on the vehicles involved, and the gunmen were said to have been hired to kill this victim in a very organised way. It was a serious and complex murder investigation, resulting in an eight-week trial. The defendant was found not guilty of murder.
Conspiracy to Kidnap and Blackmail, Manchester Crown Court - NOT GUILTY
Family kidnapped, ransom demand one million, A family was kidnapped, and a ransom of £1 million was demanded. There was an extensive police operation, including bugging of cars and surveillance. In the trial, experts gave evidence regarding phones, cell site and distribution of a chemical. After a lengthy trial, our defendant was the only one found not guilty.
Banking Fraud, Bradford Crown Court - NOT GUILTY
The defendant was alleged to have been a bank employee who used the internal procedure to set up a technical computer system sending money to external bank accounts. Computer evidence and systems were analysed and the defendant was found not guilty at the trial.
Grooming case, Leeds Crown Court - NOT GUILTY
A historic grooming case involving 15 defendants, who were found not guilty at the trial.
Conspiracy to Commit Attempt Murder – Leeds Crown Court
Harewood Law instructed in a case involving multiple shootings, by an armed gang in different locations. Organised Crime Group discharged eleven bullets at one location.
Murder, Bradford Crown Court - NOT GUILTY
This case involved the murder of a baby who was thrown from the sixth floor of an apartment block. This was an extremely sensitive case and required a good team to deal with the defendant. The murder case was eventually dropped. A guilty plea was recorded to manslaughter and a hospital order was imposed. We held a press conference for this case to identify defence witnesses.
Murder, Bradford Crown Court - NOT GUILTY
This was a difficult murder case, as the victim's home had been burnt to the ground. The defendants were blaming each other, and the motivations behind the murder were unclear. Fire experts gave evidence about how and where the fire started, and after a long trial, the defendant was found not guilty.
Drugs Conspiracy, Bradford Crown Court (UK-wide conspiracy) - NOT GUILTY
As part of a large-scale National Crime Agency drugs operation involving long-term surveillance, 24kg of drugs were found at various properties. Our defendant was part of the conspiracy in London. The defendant's fingerprints were said to have been found on the drugs. Fingerprint experts provided evidence that this was not the case and a not guilty verdict was reached.
International Kidnapping and Blackmail case, Bradford Crown Court
Money was taken in Spain and the UK, also a victim was kidnapped in Pakistan. A massive police operation was launched, including surveillance and bugging evidence from locations and cars. International jurisdiction issues arose.
A few more high profile cases we have been involved in:
Recent instructions:
R v H – Murder - Newcastle Crown Court, 2023
Instructed to represent defendant charged with murder, the allegation being a vehicle was driven intentionally over the victim at speed.
R v D – Human Trafficking – Leeds Crown Court, 2023
Instructed to represent defendant charged with trafficking females from Albania into the UK.
R v A – Large Scale Conspiracy to Supply Class A (OCG) - Manchester Crown Court, 2023
Instructed to represent defendant charged with a large scale drugs conspiracy across the UK. Organised Crime Groups (OCG) across the North were under surveillance for 12 months.
R v D – Conspiracy to Murder – Warwick Crown Court, 2022
Two men hired to shoot the victim in an on going feud.
R v G - Business investigated for fraudulently obtaining covid loan support, bounce back loans, grants. Harewood Law negotiated a settlement avoiding prosecution.
R v A - International business investigated by the pension regulator. Harewood Law part of a team of lawyers negotiated a settlement avoiding prosecution.
High Profile Inquest - Harewood Law instructed in an inquest on behalf of the family of the victim. This murder has been in all the national and international newspapers. Details are limited due to the sensitive nature of this case.
R v B - Fraud - Southwark Crown Court: Large scale and complex pension fraud, involving an ex stock broker facilitating equity release from pensions.
R v B - Conspiracy to supply drugs - EncroChat Ipswich Crown Court: Large scale drugs conspiracy involving multiple defendants. The conspiracy spanned across the UK and involved the use of EncroChat devices. NCA investigation.
R v A Murder- Birmingham Crown Court: Defendant represented for Conspiracy to Murder, part of ten defendants charged with carrying out a drive by shooting.
R v S - Organised illegal demonstration – Bradford Magistrates Court: Instructed to represent the alleged leader of the ‘Unite the North’ organisation, for organising a demonstration in the city of Bradford which was anti vaccine, anti-lockdown in breach of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions, England, Regulations 2020).
R v R Fraud - Leeds: Representing a senior doctor, alleged to have orchestrated and defrauded the NHS.
Previous instructions:
R v C Human Trafficking Case Southwark Crown Court – this case involved an international gang working across Europe
R v S Murder featured on Crime Watch UK for three years – this was featured on Crime Watch UK for three years. The case took many years
R v H Grooming by a Gang in Rotherham – this was featured on Panorama for two years
R v M – a solicitor represented the defendant for perverting the course of justice. The jury did not convict
R v P – a solicitor represented the defendant for conspiracy to defraud £7 million. The case was discontinued
R v N – a solicitor represented the defendant for fraud. It was a large-scale enquiry, and the case was discontinued
R v M – a case brought against a police officer for violent disorder. The case was discontinued
R v A – case involving a serving police officer charged with international fraud of 5 million.
R v S – importation of many tonnes of drugs from Holland
R v W – HMRC fraud by an accountant
What Our Clients Are Saying
“They assemble a team once they have identified what the client wants and needs. The same team then remains throughout, which makes the entire process seamless.”
"Fighting for my liberty, fighting for justice, fighting so all those people from my family and amongst my friends who had fought against terrorists and had lost their lives did not feel that I had let them down. I was not a terrorist.”
"Particular thanks to my defence team, led by my solicitor Sajad Chaudhury and my barristers, led by Simon Kealey QC, Ray Singh and Ian Hudson, who all fought tirelessly over the years and went over and above what was expected.” - Press Quote ,Andy Star
“I had been to five solicitors before I had my meeting with Harewood Law, I was worried about the effect of negative press on my families celebrity status. But from the first meeting I knew they were the right firm. The press had gathered for my case, but wrote very little after my case was dismissed in court. At every stage I could see the quality of their work, they were relentless in their pursuit of justice. They are a top-tier firm and I cannot recommend them enough.”
“The experts they put together, identified so many issues with the phone evidence in the case, that the evidence was actually withdrawn. The prosecution decided they would not rely on it. It really helped my case.”
”I had worked in the Finance and Banking sectors previously but was charged with money laundering nearly a million pounds through a complex web of accounts. The top tier service provided by Harewood Law resulted in my acquittal after a four year ordeal. I cannot recommend them enough.”