John is an experienced criminal practitioner and joined Linenhall Chambers in 1995 having briefly worked as a solicitor. He moved to Exchange Chambers in Liverpool where he expanded his practice and has now re-joined Chambers after 9 years in Liverpool. His Criminal practice covers both defence and prosecution.
He has defended and prosecuted across the criminal calendar from Murder and Rape to Dangerous driving.
He has defended a number of companies in environmental cases.
John is particularly adept at dealing with large drugs conspiracies involving many defendants.
He has been a category 4 CPS prosecutor since 2005 and is on the Rape panel. He is able to deal with vulnerable witnesses and defendants suffering from mental health issues.
John is a fluent Welsh Speaker and has conducted a number of cases through the medium of Welsh.
Successfully resisted Reference by the Attorney General In April 2019, John appeared before the Vice President of the Court of Appeal Criminal Division Lady Justice Hallett responding to a reference made by the Attorney General’s office in relation to a sentence imposed on his client by HHJ Kershaw at Wolverhampton Crown Court. His client received a suspended sentence at the sentencing hearing in February this year. She was sentenced for her part in Operation Poppett which involved a Conspiracy to Supply Cocaine on an Industrial scale. Benzocaine was imported from China in industrial quantities. John was instructed by Bridgette Hibbert of Farleys in Preston.
Operation Marquette – John has been instructed in this complex and interesting gross negligence manslaughter where he represents one of the defendants charged with having a loaded shotgun in public when he was sat in the back of a land rover when the firearm discharged and killed a fellow passenger. Those charged with manslaughter were represented by silks and a legal argument was presented to the Judge on the basis that he had no “immediate control” over the firearm. Instructed by Andrew Scott of Parry Davies Solicitors in Bangor.
Operation Heathbird – John was instructed to prosecute this case which alleges Possession of a magnum firearm and live ammunition with intent to endanger life. The weapon and ammunition were discarded by the defendants in a public thoroughfare in central Manchester. A close analysis of DNA evidence and a thorough investigation by National Crime Agency officers has led to the apprehension of both defendants. John was instructed by the Organised Crime Division North of the CPS.
Operation Fraser. John was instructed by Cardiff County Council on behalf of the Wales Illegal Lending Unit to prosecute a “loan shark” who plied his trade for 20 years lending and collecting nearly half a million pounds from vulnerable borrowers. WIMLU is one of only three units in the UK set up by the Government to prosecute “loan sharks”
Operation Rossi. John was instructed to defend one of seven defendants charged with Conspiracy to Defraud. The Investigation related to the activities of Express Motors and their directors and involving allegations of fraud in relation to concessionary fares paid by Gwynedd County Council.
Operation Funder – John was instructed in a 6 week trial in Leeds Crown Court which involved an allegation that three defendants conspired to defraud elderly and vulnerable members of the public to service and purchase both Dyson and Kirby vacuum cleaners. It was alleged that a company owned by the Main defendant had benefited to the tune of £1.5million. The Case was brought by Yorkshire Trading Standards and was investigated by”Scambusters”. John was instructed by Farleys of Preston and appeared for the main defendant.
Operation Cobweb- John received instructions to appear in a massive mortgage and money laundering case in Manchester. The matter was listed for a 12 week trial at Manchester Crown Court and was led by John Jones QC. He was instructed by Forbes of Preston
Operation Yonside- Class A and B Drugs conspiracy – acting for the main defendant with extensive telecoms evidence in excess of 30,000 pages
R v Ian Maxwell – Defended Falklands war veteran accused of 7 counts of fraud against elderley victims. http://www.itv.com/news/wales/topic/ian-maxwell
R v Iestyn Davies -Six week murder led by P Harrington QC – including complex DNA and SOIL Analysis evidence. http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-13119857.
R v Alwen Jones Three week murder led by Mr I Murphy QC – involving issue of loss of control. http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-19897554
Environmental
Environmental Recently advised a leading UK commercial vehicle body and trailer manufacturer on Statutory Nuisance Proceedings brought by Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council
Represented “Castle Cement” in proceedings involving air pollution and a risk to human health. Case was resolved by expert evidence confirming there was no risk. Instructed by Osborne Clarke solicitors.
Prosecuted BNFL for water pollution.
Prosecuted Welsh Water for breaches of Consents of water abstraction.
Prosecuted Kronospan PLC for pollution cases.
1983-86 – University of Wales, Aberystwyth
1991-1992 – Inns of Court School of Law, London
CPS Grade 4 – Rape panel
“He is extremely diligent and meticulous, with a real ability to think outside the box. He is courteous and respectful to his clients and solicitors alike, a real team player. I can find nothing to be critical of.” Leading Junior: Legal 500 2022
“His relationships with clients are friendly and down to earth but at all times ultimately professional, all the facets of a real diamond.” Leading Junior: Legal 500 2021
“Noted for his expertise in environmental cases of waste, water and air pollution.” Leading Junior: Legal 500 2018/19 “Recommended for environmental cases of waste and water pollution.” Leading Junior: Legal 500 2017
“An environmental expert.” Leading Junior: Legal 500 2016
“Sought after for his expertise in cases involving breaches of environmental regulations.” Leading Junior: Legal 500 2015.
In an article on “Who reigns over the Regions” in the Lawyer Magazine he was described as “having an ability to communicate, not only with the client, but also with judges and solicitors”
