Edd is a specialist in crime, routinely instructed by both the prosecution and defence in the most complex and serious of cases, including murder, rape, fraud, firearms and supply of controlled drugs.
Frequently instructed in matters involving lay clients with serious learning difficulties and mental health problems, Edd has demonstrated an ability to form effective relationships of trust with those clients. He is very experienced in working with young, vulnerable defendants and witnesses.
Having developed a particular specialism in proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act, Edd has appeared in numerous contested confiscation and money laundering applications, including a three-week hearing following a complex advance fee fraud trial.
As a CPS Panel Level 3 prosecutor, Edd also receives instructions from the Complex Case Unit, as well as HMRC, the DWP and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills in intricate matters such as bankruptcy, hidden asset cases and asset disposal.
Cases of Interest:
Defence:
R v Manh - Acquittal in production of cannabis trial, despite fingerprints of defendant being found on the switch which provided power to growing equipment and a drinking glass in the next room.
R v Malik and others - Allegations of conspiracies to steal high value motor vehicles then use a “chop shop” to dismantle them and sell the untraceable parts.
R v Morris - Online grooming “detected” by an internet paedophile vigilante group who posed as an underage girl and later confronted the defendant whilst filming him.
R v Said - Led junior in a murder trial of a man involved in a stabbing in the Gloucester area. Both victim and defendant were known drug dealers. Issues of self-defence and lack of intent in context of multiple knife wounds.
R v Williams - Reduction of mandatory minimum term of five years for possessing a prohibited firearm, resulting in a sentence of less than two years.
R v Boshoff - Court of Appeal decision on the proper level of reduction to be awarded when implementing suspended sentences to reflect compliance with community requirements and when a failure to give that credit will render a sentence ‘manifestly excessive’. Sentence reduced on appeal.
R v D-A - Allegations of kidnap and violent offences arising from an alleged journey by a group of individuals from London to South Wales to ‘enforce’ an illegal unpaid debt.
R v Pearce - Fraudulent trading and handling stolen goods trial. Defendant worked in a scrap metal business which was the focus of an undercover police operation to sell “stolen” scrap metal over a period of weeks.
R v Margetts - Systematic theft from employer in the context of a family business.
R v Harris - Trial of rape allegations concerning forced entry to victim’s premises, knife-point sexual attacks and sustained periods of gratuitous degradation.
R v Thole and others - Led junior for the defence in advance fee fraud case and subsequent POCA proceedings.
Prosecution:
R v Clarke - Trial concerning a stabbing in a public house, aftermath captured on CCTV.
R v James - Prosecuting allegations of VAT fraud by manipulation of book-keeping practises, concealing invoices and non-declaration of monies received.
R v Murgelas - Prosecuting allegations of sexual offences against vulnerable victims.
R v Alvarez - Case in which the defendant had taken money from drug traffickers and mixed it with legitimate business funds in order to launder the proceeds of crime.
R v Volkan, Deniz and Wali - Multi-handed violent disorder in Bristol City Centre, arising from a late-night incident originating inside a take-away shop and involving weapons.
Operation Delphi II - Led junior for the prosecution in an allegation of conspiracy to supply substantial volumes of Class A drugs from the North of England to locations across the South.
Operation Anthill - Led junior for prosecution in multi-handed drugs case involving importation of cannabis and retailing of Class A drugs through a public house.
Operation Lascar - Led junior for the prosecution in a case of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and firearms offences.
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