School - Prior Park College Bath
University - Manchester LL.B (Hons)
School of Law - Inns of Court
Called to the Bar - 1992 (Gray’s Inn)
Criminal Bar Association
Northern Circuit
Michael specialises in all aspects of serious crime including homicide, sexual offences, large scale drugs conspiracies, fraud and firearms offences plus offences of violence. Michael’s practice has developed considerably in the last few years, including being instructed in a high-profile terrorism case in the Old Bailey, in which it was alleged that the Defendant was a leading member of a proscribed organisation behind a plot to kill a serving MP & a police officer.
In a recent Court of Appeal appearance, the Court commended Michael on his “powerful” oral submissions and was equally complimentary about his written work. Such was the manner in which Michael prosecuted this trial one of the defence solicitors involved in the case now regularly instructs him.
Michael took Silk in March 2020 following his first application.
Equally comfortable defending or prosecuting, Michael has an approachable and down to earth manner enabling him to communicate with clients and juries alike such that the real issues are identified with concision and clarity.
Away from the court room Michael has been asked to, and is in the process of establishing the Northern Circuit Chapter of the Kalisher Trust. This well-renowned Trust aims to help bright youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds achieve their potential through advocacy and to help those with the requisite ability and ambition to develop careers as barristers at the criminal bar.
R v Bitton & Dixon
Murder
Instructed by the Crown to prosecute in a neighbour dispute that arose during the Covid 19 “lockdown.”
R v Ward & Smith
Murder
Instructed as leading junior for the Crown in a case made difficult by the absence of witnesses and the vulnerability of the defendant Ward who suffered from a range of mental health and learning difficulties. Murder conviction secured.
It was during this case that that Michael took Silk.
R v O’Donnell
Conspiracy to Murder
Instructed to prosecute as leading junior. All 6 defendants were represented by QC and junior. A very significant undertaking that involved appearing at the CACD during the trial to appeal a terminating ruling. The CA described Michael’s performance as “powerful”. Positive comment was also made about Michael’s written submissions which “eased the path of the court.”
R v Hankinson & Others-Central Criminal Court, London.
Membership of Proscribed Organisation
Instructed to defend. A terrorist trial in which it was alleged the Defendant was a leading member of a proscribed organisation which was behind a plot to kill a serving MP & police officer.
R v Moores
Conspiracy to Cause Explosions
Instructed to defend. Moores was one of a dozen defendants charged in relation to a considerable conspiracy to steal from ATM’s by means of explosives. Following a 2-month trial Moores was acquitted. Michael’s judgement and tactics were described as “first class” by his instructing solicitor.
R v Singh & Others
Possession of Firearms with intent/Conspiracy to Supply Drugs
Instructed to defend young man of good character. Following several days of intense negotiations, the indictment was settled to the client’s satisfaction.
R v Chubb
Conspiracy to Supply Class ‘A’ Drugs
Instructed to defend. Chubb was the partner of the leader of an OCG. She and 8 others were charged with a variety of drugs conspiracies.
R v Khan & Others
Fraud
Instructed to prosecute a sophisticated bank fraud aimed at defrauding mainly elderly customers. The proven fraud was several hundred thousand pounds though it is believed the real total was considerably more.
R v Doyle & Others
Conspiracy to Supply Drugs
Instructed as Leading Junior to prosecute approximately 20 defendants in a series of 9 trials in connection with a large number of overlapping drugs conspiracies.
R v Idehen
Murder
Instructed to defend a youth charged with murder.
R v Watkins
Causing Death by Dangerous Driving
Instructed to defend in a case where the defendant drove his car at an unofficial car meet attempted to “drift” his car lost control, killed one woman and severely injured 6 others, leaving them with life altering injuries.
R v Yearwood
Conspiracy to Rob
Instructed to defend one of a large number of defendants charged with cash in transit robberies.
R v Beaumont
Indecent Assault
Instructed to prosecute. The defendant was charged with sexually assaulting members of his wife’s family by inserting, with their ostensible consent, hypodermic needles into their genitalia.
R v Irvine
Attempt Murder
Instructed to prosecute. The Defendant had severed the Complainant’s arm from his body.
R v Dad & Others
Rape
Instructed to defend. The defendant was one of a number of the same family, charged with grooming and repeatedly raping 2 complainants who were 12 & 14 years of age.
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