AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Crime
- Family
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
- LLB Law and Politics – University of Manchester 2016
- BPTC & LLM Manchester Metropolitan University 2019
- Called to the Bar 2019
APPOINTMENTS/MEMBERSHIPS
- CPS General Crime Panel – Grade 2
- Middle Temple Young Barristers Association – North Eastern Circuit Representative
- Family Law Bar Association
- Criminal Law Bar Association
SCHOLARSHIPS/AWARDS
- Major BTPC scholarship – Manchester Metropolitan University
- Middle Temple – Baron Dr Ver Heyden de Lancey Prize for highest scoring student in his BPTC cohort
ABOUT BENJAMIN
Benjamin joined Crown Chambers in January 2022 after completing a mixed pupillage under the supervision of David Godfrey.
Benjamin has a rapidly growing Crown Court defence practice dealing with offences including conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, s.18 GBH, death by dangerous driving, and threats to kill. In addition, having been appointed to the CPS General Crime Panel at Grade 2 before the end of his pupillage has developed an extensive prosecution practice and regularly conducts trials in the Crown Court. Benjamin has had extensive experience in dealing with cases involving violence and domestic abuse and has defended in a number of multi-handed county lines drugs cases.
In his family law practice Benjamin has previously dealt extensively with public law matters for parents and Local Authorities alike at all stages of proceedings. His family practice is now predominantly focused on private law with a particular interest in domestic abuse having done extensive research on the subject for his masters dissertation.
Prior to pupillage Benjamin spent time undertaking work alongside his studies in the personal injury departments of different law firms, and as a self-employed County Court advocate conducting hearings on a range of civil matters including many small claims trials. Benjamin also previously spent time working for the University of Manchester Legal Advice Centre, and volunteering at the Personal Support Unit in the Manchester Civil Justice Centre.
Notable Cases
R v W – Leeds Crown Court 2023
After a two day trial Ben secured guilty verdicts on six counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and making/distribution of indecent images of children. The case involved evidence of tracing IP addresses and analysis of the Defendants device to determine the provenance of images found. The jury were in retirement for less than an hour.
R v V and Others – Bolton Crown Court 2023
Defended throughout the duration of the proceedings on a county lines drugs operation which involved trafficking of vulnerable youth’s where Benjamin’s client was charged with involvement in the supply of heroin. On the fourth day of the trial the prosecution accepted a plea to simple possession which resulted in a sentence of 7 days imprisonment where the lead co-defendant received a sentence in excess of 9 years imprisonment.
R v H – Bradford Crown Court 2021
Represented this Defendant at sentence following his conviction after trial for sentences of exposure. The Defendant was originally sentenced to 6 months immediate custody. Benjamin advised on and drafted grounds for appeal which subsequently were successful and the sentence was reduced to 2 months suspended for 2 years.
R v K & S – Hull Crown Court 2022
Prosecuted in this two-handed theft that involved a string of offences around the country targeting elderly people at cash points. The case involved legal argument as to the correctness of the charge based on when cash being withdrawn from a machine came into the victim’s possession even hen they never physically touched it.
R v H – Hull Crown Court 2022
Defended in this Class A PWITS matter where the Defendant fell to be subject to mandatory minimum sentencing provisions owing to previous convictions, including offences committed in another jurisdiction. The Court was persuaded not to impose what would have been the mandatory minimum term of 7 years, instead imposing a sentence of 3 years.
R v D – Hull Crown Court 2022
Prosecuted in this matter which involved a cannabis farm where the drugs seized were valued at up to £42,000.00. The Defendant was running a modern slavery defence and had received a positive NRM decision. The Defendant pleaded guilty on the day of trial.