School: Altrincham Girls Grammar School
University: University of London, University of Central Lancashire
School of Law: Inns of Court School of Law
Qualifications: LL.B (Hons)
Grade 4 Prosecutor
RASSO qualified
Qualified Advocacy Trainer at Middle Temple
Lecturer in criminal law updates
Rachel is an experienced criminal advocate practising exclusively in crime and is regularly instructed by both the prosecution and defence in serious criminal cases. In particular, she specialises in murder, violence and serious sexual offences.
Rachel is routinely instructed in cases involving a wide range of sexual offences and is well known for her experience in handling such cases, including “grooming rings”, rape, sexual assault, historic abuse and familial offences, as well as digital sexual offences.
As well as conducting legally aided work she is also regularly sought out by private paying clients.
Rachel has a reputation as a formidable opponent with a high success rate across the board. She is a persuasive jury advocate and has particular skill in dealing with vulnerable witnesses, including children as young as 3 years old and other witnesses with learning disabilities, autism and other mental health problems. She is known for her attention to detail and diligent case preparation , as well as excellent client care.
Rachel has been described as:
“hugely persuasive”; “skillful in cross examination”; and “a tenacious advocate”.
R v Danielle McCreery (March 2020) – Defendant accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice in relation to a murder in Lancaster.
R v Raheel Khan (October 2020) – Defendant unanimously acquitted of murder by stabbing in Oldham. (Manchester Evening News) (BBC News).
R v AR (December 2020) – Allegation of murder, by repeated blows with an axe. Prosecution accept a plea to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
R v David Pawluk (October 2018) – Defence murder in a domestic setting. (BBC News) (Daily Mail).
R v Diane Ingham (2017) – mother acquitted of using violence leading up to a murder involving her family members. Convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Sexual offences
Defence
R v JD (2018) – 14 year old Defendant acquitted of the repeated stranger rape of an alcoholic woman.
R v JW (2018) – Marital rape. After cross examination of the Complainant the Prosecution offered no evidence.
R v DH (2018) – Allegation of marital rape. Bad character evidence of previous sexual assaults was admitted before the jury. Defendant acquitted.
R v B-G (2019) – Defendant acquitted of serious sexual assault which was captured on webcam video.
R v J Walsh (2019) – Rape of a male with strongly supportive forensic evidence. The Defendant had a limited recollection of events. The case involved complex expert evidence as to the hallucinogenic/psychotic effects of Ketamine. Defendant acquitted.
R v GM (2019) – Sexual assault alleged by 6 year old child against her grandfather. Defendant acquitted.
R v AG (2019) – Bus driver acquitted of sexual assault upon a Complainant with Downs Syndrome. He had faced a similar previous allegation.
R v NS (January 2020) – Allegation of rape of a child. Prosecution offer no evidence after successful legal argument to exclude the Defendant’s interview.
Prosecution
R v JG and AG (2019) – Allegation of rape, sexual assault and grooming over several years. Defendant convicted and received 21 years.
R v MB (2019) – Defendant convicted of rape and sexual assault of a child family member.
R v OH (2020) – Defendant convicted of historic sexual assault upon a child.
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