Clerking team

Tim Booth
Tim Booth

Senior Clerk Sheffield

Louise Gold

Lead Clerk, Crime

Jessica Bull

Junior Clerk, Crime

Jack Paxton

Junior Clerk, Crime

Richard has over 17 years’ experience specialising in Criminal Law. In 2013 he qualified as a Solicitor Advocate within one of the largest criminal law firms in the UK. Shortly after obtaining Higher Rights of Audience he has appeared in jury trials for many different types of criminal offences including some high profile cases.

Richard was called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn in 2017.

Crown Court & appeals

Richard has a wealth of experience as a criminal advocate for the defence and as a Level 3 prosecution advocate. With a thorough and detailed approach to preparation Richard is a conscientious and persuasive advocate before a jury. He has an amiable and approachable demeanour that helps to put clients at ease and to foster excellent working relationships with those who instruct him.

Regularly appearing before Judges in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire Richard since being called to the Bar in 2017 has developed a solid reputation for representing clients in cases of increasing seriousness and complexity. An advocate assisted by his previous experience as a criminal defence solicitor since 2001 and from 2013 to 2017 a solicitor-advocate with one of the most successful criminal firms in the country.

Cases

R v L (2023)

Serious Sexual Offences Allegations

Dealing with very serious historic sexual offending representing a defendant who no longer had capacity. Very careful consideration required to advance client’s case in difficult circumstances. After a hung jury the prosecution did not pursue a re-trial.

R v F (2022 – 2023)

VHCC Multi-Handed Murder

Led by very senior Kings Counsel. A multi-handed murder trial lasting for eight months dealing with vast amounts of digital data and media including a page count of 850,000. Legal submissions made at the close of the prosecution case resulted in a successful application to remove a charge of Encouraging or Assisting an Offence, namely Murder, contrary to section 45 of the Serious Crime Act 2007. One of the longest murder trials to take place within England and Wales provided the opportunity to review in detail raw digital media evidence and interpret it independently using the most up to date software.  An exceptional case.

R v B (2021)

Firearms and DNA

Multi-Handed high profile drugs case involving a recovery of a significant amount of firearms. Working closely with the defence DNA expert to produce detailed and effective cross-examination of the prosecution expert.

R v M (2020)

Drugs and County Lines Offending

Led in a serious drugs case involving county lines drugs offending. Large amounts of disclosure reviewed of sensitive material which once disclosed contributed to a successful outcome.

R v S  (2019)

People Trafficking

Representing one of five Defendants in a people trafficking case. Led by senior counsel the case involved a large amount of evidence and significant complexities. The people trafficking was linked to allegations of benefit fraud.

General Dental Council v P  (2019)

A Regulatory case brought by the GDC against a medical practitioner. Successful submissions made at the conclusion of the Prosecution’s case that there was no case to answer.

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) R v Needham [2016] EWCA Crim 455

First Appellant of seven relating to the effect of section 35A and section 35B of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 on offenders who were disqualified from driving and had a custodial sentence imposed at the same time. For the use of Judges and Practitioners, it set out a checklist of steps as to the approach to be followed under the two sections, with conclusions setting out the appropriate way of making the formal sentencing announcement.

R v Hardman [2016] EWCA Crim 1963

Successfully argued a reduction in sentence from thirty months imprisonment to 21 months imprisonment for the Appellant. The case concerned a breach of a restraining order and how the sentencing guidelines should be applied.

R v Buxton [2015] EWCA Crim 2503

This appeal against sentence dealt with the principle of totality and how it applies in cases of domestic violence and abuse. A custodial sentence of 2 years 10 months was reduced to 2 years imprisonment after successful submissions were made.

Courts martial & service law

Richard defends cases in Court Martial Trials regularly securing Not Guilty verdicts.

With a persistent and detailed approach to preparing for trial as well as taking the time to obtain detailed instructions from clients, Richard’s determined preparation has proved successful.

Excellent advocacy skills in addition to thorough groundwork means Richard proves to be a strong and persuasive Advocate at trial.