Anna has experience of both prosecuting and defending allegations of manslaughter, rape and sexual crime and has been commended for her ability in cross-examining experts. She is often led in substantial cases concerning allegations of serious violence, drugs conspiracies and gun crime. She therefore has particular expertise in the issues of public interest immunity and disclosure which arise in relation to police informants.
Having prosecuted and defended in substantial white-collar fraud, Anna has the strategic and presentational skills required to make such cases comprehensible for a jury, and is familiar with management of highly voluminous cases.
Anna is recognised for her thorough preparation and rigorous legal analysis, and has a precise and effective style of advocacy.
Recent Cases of Interest:
R v Ben Stokes, Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale (2018) – successfully defended Ryan Ali who was jointly charged with Ben Stokes in a charge of affray. Mr Ali was alleged by the prosecution to have armed himself with a weapon during the course of the incident, and his involvement was captured on film. Unanimously acquitted by the jury
R v CN (2016) – led junior representing defendant nurse accused of gross negligence manslaughter - click here to read;
R v Pearce (2014) – led junior for the Crown in cheating the Revenue fraud; 40,000 pages of evidence, analysis of dozens of clients’ profit and loss accounts in order to establish dishonest completion by the defendant, and understanding of taxation principles. Quantum of over £2m. Dozens of lay witnesses called.
R v Hickman (2014) – represented defendant charged with historic rape of 12-year-old girl. D had previous convictions for offences against his daughters in similar circumstances; namely with wife, a self-proclaimed witch, aiding and abetting him. Complainant recovered memory after counselling. Extensive expert evidence on function of memory, and cross examination of experts. Hung jury, convicted at retrial.
R v Jusuf Abdirizak (2014) – represented 19-year-old Somalian defendant in Operation Brook: investigation of sex trafficking and exploitation in Bristol. Vulnerable complainants with communication difficulties. Legal complexities regarding bad character of complainants and s41.
R v Richards (2013) – represented defendant charged with assault by penetration of his step-granddaughter. Ordered to continue when defence expert on anal dilation and injury unavailable. Successfully cross examined prosecution expert – defendant acquitted.
R v Alway (2012) – represented school teacher charged with sexual assaults and attempted rape of seven pupils over a 10-year period.
R v Payne and Others (2012) – led junior instructed for the defence in a three-month trial of allegations of conspiracy to defraud and fraudulent trading involving 25,000 pages of exhibits, and a benefit figure of £8.2m in the confiscation proceedings. Prosecution accepted benefit figure of less than £1m after analysis of banking undertaken by defence, without an expert.
R v Britton (2012) – led junior instructed for a mother charged with manslaughter by the administration of methadone to her baby. Case involved careful analysis of expert evidence regarding hair strand sampling, toxicology, and chemical absorption. Client acquitted of manslaughter.
R v Hassan (2012) – prosecuted a defendant charged with rape where defendant had absconded and was arrested part way through trial.
R v Waithe and Others (2009) – junior for the Crown in conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs and possession of firearms with intent to endanger life, and possession of stun grenades. First case in Avon and Somerset of a defendant being signed up to give evidence for the Crown pursuant to SOCPA. Significant experience of the evidential, procedural and policy decisions involved.
Walker v Walker v CPS (2009) – case concerning interrelation of confiscation order under PoCA 2003 and a spouse’s claim under MCA 1973. Represented the applicant wife successfully in the High Court, securing an order that she retain the home in precedence over an order for sale to meet the confiscation order.
Crime Clerks:
Bonnie Colbeck
E: bonnie.colbeck@albionchambers.co.uk
T: 0117 311 0301
Ken Duthie
E: ken.duthie@albionchambers.co.uk
T: 0117 311 0368
Joanna Cload
E: joanna.cload@albionchambers.co.uk
T: 0117 927 1243
