One of the most highly-regarded juniors on the North Eastern Circuit, Tom has been regularly recommended as a leading individual for criminal law in legal directories. He both prosecutes and defends, and is often instructed as leading junior in cases of substance or those which are legally and/or factually complex.  He is a member of the CPS terrorism panel, serious organised crime panel and rape panel (all at level 4); he also has experience of dealing with cases involving issues relating to national security.

Regularly instructed in cases involving homicide and other serious violence, as well as those involving terrorism or serious organised criminality; the latter includes multiple cases arising from the NCA investigation into those using encrypted Encrochat mobile phones (Operation Venetic).  Tom is additionally instructed in cases involving serious fraud and money laundering, and those involving historic sexual abuse.  He also has considerable experience of Appeal Court advocacy.

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

Notable Cases

  • Latoszewski & Kalinowska (Leeds Crown Court)

    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.

  • Mohammed Shabaz (Sheffield Crown Court)

    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.

  • TM & RC (Leeds Crown Court)

    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.

  • BY (Leeds Crown Court)

    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.

Notable Cases

  • DL (Leeds Crown Court)

    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.

Notable Cases

  • Miah & others (Bradford Crown Court)

    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.

  • Operation Callaway (Preston Crown Court)

    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.

  • Khalid (Sheffield Crown Court)

    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.

  • Operation Rimshot (Bradford Crown Court)

    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

  • Operation Giantway (Bradford Crown Court)

    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.

  • Davies & others (Leeds Crown Court)

    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.

Notable Cases

  • John Hewitt (Hull Crown Court)

    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.

  • Paul Lamb (Hull Crown Court)

    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.

  • Peter Turner (Gregory Carroll) (York Crown Court)

    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.

Notable Cases

  • Mujikwa & others (Leeds Crown Court)

    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.

  • Tuner & others (Sheffield Crown Court)

    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.

  • Blamire & another (Leeds Crown Court)

    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.

A straightforward prosecutor; he clearly and succinctly presents his evidence, showing a good command of his brief.
Legal 500 2024

“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.”
Chambers and Partners 2023

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'.
Chambers and Partners 2022

A seasoned and astute practitioner with a keen eye for detail and an impressive ability at mastering large cases under pressure of time. ’
Legal 500 2022

"He is excellent - very intelligent and presents his cases fantastically well."
Chambers and Partners 2021 (Crime)

Approachable, polished and effective in court’
Legal 500 2021 (Crime)

He is a highly experienced advocate with a keen eye for detail. His manner in court is exceptional.
Chambers and Partners 2020

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. He is also noted for handling cases involving serious sexual offences.'
Chambers and Partners 2020

Approachable, polished and effective in court
Legal 500 2020

Extremely intelligent, with a strong work ethic
Legal 500

Practice Areas

Appointments & Memberships

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

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