Background

Tom Storey KC

Year of call 1993 / 2024

“Tom has a calm and wholly unflappable demeanour. His approach to cross-examination reflects his highly impressive and wholly professional approach to his cases.”


Legal 500 2025 [Crime]

Tom Storey KC is regularly recommended as a leading individual for criminal law in legal directories.

He both prosecutes and defends, and is regularly instructed in cases involving homicide, terrorism, fraud and serious organised crime, including cases arising from the NCA investigation into the use of encrypted Encrochat mobile phones (Operation Venetic); he also has much experience of cases involving allegations of historic sexual abuse, and has been instructed in cases involving issues relating to national security. Tom also has considerable experience of Appeal Court advocacy.

Tom is an accredited advocacy trainer for the North Eastern Circuit, and an experienced pupil supervisor.

Expertise

High-publicity murder of 15-year-old boy by his mother and her partner, who together repeatedly beat the child causing multiple internal injuries which ultimately led to massive infection and his death.  Much of the violence was captured on CCTV cameras installed within the family home.

Attempted murder of man who had previously been acquitted of the murder of defendant’s cousin (targeted revenge attack). Defendant travelled from Oldham to Sheffield to lie in wait for victim; stabbed repeatedly in attack Defendant then attempted to set fire to the vehicle he had travelled in.

Causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm. Two-month-old infant son of the defendants found to have 13 separate fractures to his body, caused over period of time. Extensive expert medical evidence.

Attempted murder – stabbing of rival gang member by 17-year-old defendant. Victim refused to co-operate with prosecution. Consideration of “gang-related” bad character evidence.

Possessing & collecting documents likely to have been of use to a terrorist. Defendant in possession of multiple copies of The Anarchist’s Cookbook and a prohibited weapon. Much digital and other evidence of extreme rightwing ideology. Defendant had previously been referred to Prevent programme.

Four defendants charged with offences relating to the receipt in West Yorkshire of 15kg of import-strength cocaine which had been collected from London, and associated possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.

Manchester-based gang of Albanian nationals had set up cannabis “farms” in houses in Burnley. When one such property was attacked by Burnley-based gang, those in Manchester travelled up to defend their investment. Serious disorder in residential streets, involving two men being shot, one struck with a machete and multiple vehicles damaged; one vehicle abandoned and subsequently set on fire.

Defendant charged with conspiracies to supply controlled drugs and to sell prohibited firearms, and possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition. Evidence of conspiracies derived entirely from content of Encrochat mobile phone messages between “handle” attributed to defendant and others involved in the wholesale drugs trade.

Five defendants charged with offences relating to the movement of firearms and ammunition, and additionally with offences relating to the supply of Class A drugs during the first national lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic

Seven defendants charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and associated money-laundering, relating to the purchase of 9kg of import-strength cocaine from Liverpool and its transfer back to Bradford. Much evidence of covert police observations, telephone linking evidence and CCTV footage.

Five defendants charged with conspiracy to rob, involving firearm and machete to inflict injuries on victim. High-value Porsche car parts stolen during robbery from Leeds industrial unit by organised criminals from Manchester. Case involved telephone linking and cell-site evidence, overlain with ANPR and CCTV footage. Extradition proceedings in relation to two of the defendants who had fled the jurisdiction.

Multiple allegations of non-recent (1970s and 1980s) sexual abuse of young girls by former houseparent at children’s home in East Yorkshire. Three separate complainants, with limited knowledge of each other. Defendant kept one of them hidden at his flat for several months, where he repeatedly abused her, when she was subject of a missing person enquiry by Humberside Police. Unsuccessful attempt by Defendant – now acting in person – to appeal his conviction and sentence.

Multiple allegations of non-recent (1970s and 1980s) sexual abuse of multiple young girls at children’s homes in both London and East Yorkshire, where defendant’s wife and he had worked. A total of eight complainants gave evidence of abuse by Defendant; one of them the Defendant had continued to have a sexual relationship with once she was an adult.

Non-recent (1980s) sexual abuse of former pupils at Ampleforth College public school by former monk and teacher at school; offences also committed upon altar boys in parish in Cumbria to which defendant had been sent by the school when abuse first complained of. He had previously been prosecuted for abuse on other former pupils in 2005; consideration of autrefois convict doctrine in relation to the way this case was presented.

Seven defendants charged with offences relating to large-scale intercept fraud and associated money-laundering offences. Email communications of various international businesses (including the BBC) were intercepted, resulting in millions of pounds being paid into and then laundered through accounts which had been set up for the purpose, some in fabricated names and others having been acquired from co-accused.

Offence of fraud committed by carer upon vulnerable supported residents of care home in Sheffield; over £900,000 obtained and then laundered through accounts held in names of defendant’s brothers. Protracted confiscation proceedings followed conviction.

Conspiracy to commit fraud by abuse of position, relating to operation of procurement process conducted by West Yorkshire Police for vehicle-recovery contracts. Subsequent confiscation proceedings involved issues relating to corporate vs personal involvement.

Additional Information

  • CPS Counter Terrorism Panel (Level 4)
  • CPS General Prosecution Panel (Level 4)
  • CPS Serious Organised Crime Panel (Level 4)
  • CPS Rape Panel

“He is a great advocate, well respected by judges and extremely popular with clients.”


“A straightforward prosecutor; he clearly and succinctly presents his evidence, showing a good command of his brief.”


“Tom's knowledge of the law is amazing. He is very thorough in his preparation, never leaving any stone unturned.”


“Tom is a very careful and thorough advocate. Tom brings an impressive intellect and conscientious approach to all of his cases.”


“Acts for both the defence and the prosecution in a broad range of general criminal cases. He specialises in large-scale, serious criminal matters and is well respected for his deft handling of highly sensitive cases.”


“A seasoned and astute practitioner with a keen eye for detail and an impressive ability at mastering large cases under pressure of time.”


“He is excellent - very intelligent and presents his cases fantastically well.”


“Approachable, polished and effective in court.”


“He is a highly experienced advocate with a keen eye for detail. His manner in court is exceptional.”


“A junior who acts for both the defence and the prosecution in a broad range of general criminal cases. He specialises in large-scale, serious criminal matters and is well respected for his deft handling of highly sensitive cases.”


“Extremely intelligent, with a strong work ethic.”


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