Helen prosecutes and defends in the Crown Court, her practice encompassing the full range of criminal offences.  She is an experienced level 2 Prosecutor and a well regarded defence practitioner. 

She has a particular interest in technical legal arguments, serious sex offences and multi-handed matters.

Notable cases

R v BO – Successfully defended allegations of supply of Class A drugs with both successful s78 arguments and half time submissions.

R v AC – Secured a determinate sentence for a case involving the persistent rape and sexual assault of sibling

Helen also appears in the Magistrates Courts in relation to private traffic matters.

FAMILY LAW

Helen represents acts for parents, grandparents, other family members and children by their guardians in a wide range of public and private law proceedings.  In public law she has conducted cases where allegations of physical harm and chronic abuse feature and has experience in the FPC, County Court and High Court. 

Helen is noted as a robust and tactical negotiator with excellent client care skills.

ASSET FORFEITURE AND CONFISCATION

Helen accepts instructions to appear for both the Crown and Defence in Asset Forfeiture and Confiscation proceedings.  She has appeared in Confiscation proceedings in multi-handed matters and has a particular interest in pre-charge proceedings for asset forfeiture and cash seizure.

Helen has given various seminars on POCA and Asset Forfeiture and also on the position of third parties in POCA proceedings.

Notable cases

R v BP – Confiscation Proceedings in a 12 handed fraud where the benefit figure exceeded £4.5m.

R v SB – Ongoing pre-charge cash forfeiture proceedings relating to £300,000 and foreign bonds.

PRISON LAW

Before coming to the Bar Helen was an Operations Support Grade Prison Officer.  She also served on the Independent Monitoring Board (formerly the Board of Visitors) at HMP Brixton.

Helen has used her experience to great effect in her practice and accepts instructions to appear at Adjudications, Parole Board Hearings and in applications for Judicial Review.  

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/APPOINTMENTS

Criminal Bar Association

Family Law Bar Association

Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association

Young Fraud Lawyers in the North Association