Three members defending in a violent disorder trial
Stuart Bell, Katherine White and Sam Magee were defending in an eight-day violent disorder trial in Kingston-upon-Hull. Stuart Bell represented the second defendant (JM),...
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Sam is a Criminal Law barrister. He joined Chambers following completion of his pupillage under the supervision of Dermot Hughes. He welcomes instructions in criminal cases, and is a CPS Level 2 Prosecutor.
In his first six months of pupillage, Sam shadowed Dermot Hughes and observed all stages of criminal proceedings. This ranged from bail applications and PTPH’s to a murder trial involving a joint-enterprise machete attack which was featured on Sky News.
Magistrates Court
Sam has prosecuted cases including burglaries, violent offences including domestic violence, public order offences and driving offences. Sam also recently prosecuted a trial involving a ‘Freeman of the Land’.
Sam also has experience of cases involving dangerous dogs including the law relating to destruction/contingent destruction orders.
Sam has growing experience dealing with football-related offences. He recently appeared in Sheffield Magistrates’ Court and successfully opposed the imposition of a Football Banning Order. He highlighted the impact of potential travel restrictions on the Defendant’s life, as well as addressing the Court as to the body of case law that exists on Football Banning Orders. The Judge was persuaded and after the hearing the Defendant said as follows:
“I’d also like to give special recognition to Sam, who was by my side during both court appearances. His dedication and hard work were outstanding, and it paid off. I received the best possible outcome, avoiding a football banning order entirely.”
Crown Court & appeals
Crown Court
R v S and others – Led by Dermot Hughes, Sam defended in a five-week trial at Sheffield Crown Court. The case involved a number of offences including rape over a period of six months. The case was reported in the Guardian, the Daily Mail and Sky News.
R v C – Instructed to defend a three-count indictment at Grimsby Crown Court involving controlling and coercive behaviour, intentional strangulation and racially aggravated harassment/alarm/distress. The Defendant was found not guilty of intentional strangulation.
R v B and others – Instructed to defend in an eight-day multi-handed trial involving violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. The Defendant was acquitted in under an hour. The aftermath of the disorder was covered on the BBC and Grimsby Telegraph.
Court of Appeal
R v R – Sentence of 27 months imposed for breach of a restraining order. Following written grounds of appeal that the sentence was manifestly excessive, leave was granted by the Single Judge. A sentence of 15 months was imposed and Sam was praised for ‘very clear, helpful and focused submissions’ on behalf of the Appellant.
Education
- Bar Course, Inns of Court College of Advocacy (2022)
- Law LLB, 2:1, University of Leeds (2020)
Scholarships and awards
- Exhibition Scholarship, Honourable Society of the Inner Temple (2020)
- Head of School’s List 2018 (Top 10% of year) School of Law, University of Leeds
