Experience
Alistair has substantial experience prosecuting and defending serious criminal matters, including cases involving serious violence, conspiracy, rape and firearms offences. He also has experience of regulatory prosecutions, including trading standards, health and safety, and environmental matters. He is adept at handling cases involving complex expert evidence, and incidents resulting in grave injury.
Alistair has specialist expertise in motoring and transport offences, including:
- Causing death by dangerous driving.
- Causing serious injury by dangerous/careless driving.
- Unsafe vehicle weight.
- Tachograph infringements.
- Taxi Licensing applications and appeals.
- Drink/drug driving allegations.
In addition to his expertise in Crime and Regulatory, Alistair also practices in general civil and Personal Injury.
Away from professional commitments, Alistair enjoys reading, photography, and kettlebell training.
Recent cases
- R v KK [2018] EWCA Crim 1472, Court of Appeal Criminal Division- Represented the appellant in a successful challenge against the imposition of a Criminal Behaviour Order, with the case being reported as a significant clarification of how the Court should approach the use of such quasi-civil Orders.
- R v C, C &F, Bolton/Minshull Street Crown Court- Instructed to prosecute 3 family members charged with conspiring to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life. This was a complex case, involving detailed analysis of cell-site evidence, social media material, and an unusual factual background with adverse character relating to the complainant.
- R v V, Bolton Crown Court- Instructed to prosecute in relation to causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The matter became more complicated when the victim died following her discharge from hospital. After careful consideration of the post-mortem evidence, he advised that the necessary causation could not be established to justify a prosecution for causing death by dangerous driving.
- R v S, Manchester Crown Court- Instructed to prosecute a defendant identified as being involved in the use of drones to smuggle prohibited items into HMP Manchester. This case required thorough and lengthy analysis of flight data and circumstantial evidence demonstrating the defendant’s involvement in a larger conspiracy targeting 3 other prisons.
- R v W and Others, Bolton Crown Court- Instructed to represent the lead defendant in a multi-handed firearms and aggravated burglary trial. His thorough and well constructed
cross examination of the complainant demonstrated a depth of evidential analysis that was positively commented upon by the trial Judge. - R v S and Others (Operation Jakkals), Manchester Crown Court- Instructed shortly before trial to represent the lead defendant in a conspiracy to assist illegal immigration into the United Kingdom. This case arose from a Home Office investigation into an alleged Organised Crime Group that was said to be facilitating the entry of illegal migrants from Iran, travelling into the UK from Europe by air. Following his cross-examination of the principal Home Office Immigration Officer, the Prosecution had to review the case and offer no evidence in respect of all offences for each defendant.
- APS v C and Others, Manchester Crown Court- Instructed to defend one of a series of individuals being privately prosecuted by Animal Protection Services (APS), an independent charity. This prosecution was stayed as an abuse of process by the Honorary Recorder of Manchester following submissions made on behalf of the defendants. Following the end of the criminal proceedings, The Charity Commission opened a statutory enquiry into APS and the prosecutions they brought against pet owners.