R v G Conspiracy to Steal at Warwick Crown Court – 2024

Andy was instructed to represent his client in a case involving a large-scale conspiracy to steal high value equipment from the BT Openreach company, at locations across the width and breadth of the UK, over a 10-month period.

Over the course of 34 separate events direct loss of over £260K of equipment and an indirect loss of £127K was caused. The Prosecution alleged that the client played a leading role in the conspiracy and was the lead organiser.

A basis of plea was submitted on the client’s behalf, limiting his involvement and role in the overall conspiracy and submissions were made in relation to his categorisation at sentence.

The basis was eventually broadly accepted by the Prosecution and a Newton hearing was not necessary.

The Prosecution at sentence made submissions that the starting point for sentence was 3 years and 6 months custody with a range of 2 -6 years.

Andy obtained significant material in mitigation and the Court were persuaded to sentence the client to a suspended sentence of 21 months imprisonment suspended for two years.

In a further turn of the events, the Prosecution would appeal against the sentence imposed, on the basis that the suspended sentence was unduly lenient. The Prosecution appeal was vigorously opposed by Andy and the Court of Appeal, having heard arguments put forward on our client’s behalf declined to intervene and did not alter the sentence leaving the suspended sentence in place.

In their Judgment the Court found that: “Standing back, these were lenient sentences which at first sight appear to be far too low. We have, however, gradually come to the view that the Judge’s approach to the sentencing of all four offenders was not simply to be described as “humane”, though it certainly was. In our judgment the sentences were justifiable, though right at the bottom of the permissible range. We therefore decline to intervene”.

The full Judgment can be read here: R v Antonio Paul Counihan & Ors [2024] EWCA Crim 747

Merry Van Woodenberg of 2 Hare Court Chambers was instructed Counsel

Read More

Other Relevant Murray Hughman Cases

Filter

R v G Conspiracy to Steal at Warwick Crown Court – 2024

Andy was instructed to represent his client in a case involving a large-scale conspiracy to steal high value equipment from the BT Openreach company, at locations across the width and breadth of the UK, over a 10-month period.
Read More

2024: R v R

Acting for the alleged head of an organised crime network supplying cocaine throughout the United Kingdom.
Read More

R v O – County Lines Supply of Class A Drugs at Norwich Crown Court – 2024

The client was alleged to be concerned in the large-scale supply of Class A drugs as the operator for a county drugs supply line covering the East Anglia area.
Read More

R v AB – Large Scale Drugs Conspiracy at Guildford Crown Court – 2024

Following a Trial lasting 17 days, Andy Rootsey's client, ‘AB’ was acquitted at Guildford Crown Court of conspiracy to supply cocaine on an industrial scale across the Southeast.
Read More

R v J Conspiracy to Supply Drugs at Portsmouth Crown Court – 2024

Andy was instructed to represent his client alleged to have played a leading role in the large scale supply of class A,B,C and prescription drugs which were sent out via the postal system to customers across the country.
Read More

2024: R v T

Acted for the alleged ‘UK end’ of an international cocaine smuggling ring worth in excess of £2 million.
Read More

Get In Touch…

Call us on 020 7701 8653.

Get in Touch