AREAS OF PRACTICE

Crime

Regulatory

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 3

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 thriving Crown Court practice, both prosecuting and defending, and having been appointed to the CPS General Crime Panel at Grade 2 before the end of his pupillage Benjamin has been able to solidify a busy crime focussed practice. He has conducted cases involving sexual communication with and distribution of indecent images of children, multi-handed & county lines Class A supply, causing death by dangerous driving, and s.18 GBH.

Ben has a particular interest and experience in dealing with drugs matters, and cases involving digital forensics. He has also had extensive experience of dealing with issues related domestic abuse both from a criminal and family perspective and having done extensive research on the subject for his master’s dissertation.

Outside of his criminal practice, Benjamin is keen to develop his regulatory practice especially in the areas of inquests and professional discipline.

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 J – Grimsby Crown Court 2024

Defending an allegation of s.18 GBH where Benjamin’s Client was alleged to have led a sustained group attack involving weapons on the Complainant within their home. Following a five-day trial, the jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty in under an hour.

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.

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 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.

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.