Gary Rutter

Experience

Gary predominantly defends serious cases including serious violent and sexual offences, drug importation and supply, fraud, robbery and firearms offences. He has been led in several murder cases at the Old Bailey and has successfully represented appellants in the Court of Appeal for both appeals against conviction and sentence. Through many years of experience Gary has gained particular expertise defending in cases involving complex computer evidence as often arises in cases involving fraud and illegal pornography. His skilful cross-examination of expert witnesses in such cases has resulted in many acquittals, on occasion following the successful submission of no case to answer.

With his wealth of experience coupled with a hands-on approach and relentless work ethic, Gary is often first choice for numerous instructing solicitors.

Violent offences

• R v LL, Central Criminal Court 2015. Defended a man charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm on his flat mate by attacking him with knives. It was argued on his behalf that he had acted in reasonable self-defence and he was acquitted by the jury.
• R v JA, Basildon CC 2015. Defended a man charged with dangerous driving and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The defendant was accused of having deliberately driven into a group of pedestrians causing life changing injuries. He denied being the driver of the vehicle and was acquitted at trial.
• R v MK and another, Harrow CC 2015. Defended one of two men charged with attempted murder and perverting the course of justice.

Robbery and Fraud offences

• R v ST and others, Croydon CC 2015. Defended one of three men charged with a knife point street robbery. The defendant accepted being present at the scene of the robbery but denied participation in the offences and was acquitted.
• R v DW and another, Canterbury CC 2015. Defended one of two men charged with robbery of a jewellery shop by means of a ‘smash and grab’ attack.
• R v SA and two others, Central Criminal Court 2013. Defended a priest charged with a large scale fraud involving the dishonest reclaiming of tax on charitable donations made to his church. The defendant claimed he was the innocent victim of his co-accused whom he had honestly trusted to reclaim the tax on his behalf. The defendant was acquitted.
• R v CB, Croydon CC 2013. Defended the finance director of a large holiday company who was charged with conspiracy to defraud the company of over £100,000 by making false claims for expenses.

Sexual offences

• R v FM, Central Criminal Court 2013. Defended a man charged with possessing an indecent photograph of a child found on his computer. He denied having deliberately or knowingly downloaded the photograph. Following cross-examination of the prosecution expert witness and a submission of no case to answer the case was withdrawn from the jury and the judge directed a not guilty verdict.
• R v PD, Hove CC 2015. Defended a man charged with grooming and engaging in sexual activity with a child. The defendant claimed he reasonably believed that the complainant was over the age of consent. The defendant was acquitted.
• R v SC, Guildford CC 2015. Defended a man charged with historical sexual offences alleged to have been committed when the defendant was a young teenager against younger children in his neighbourhood during the 1970s. The defendant denied anything had happened. He was acquitted.

Firearms offences

• R v MK, Woolwich CC 2013. Defended a man charged with possessing prohibited firearms (self-loading pistol).
• R v MG, Reading CC 2015. Defended a man charged with robbery, assault and possession of a prohibited weapon (disguised stun gun).
• R v JB, Chelmsford CC 2015. Defended a woman charged with possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Drugs offences

• R v OO, Inner London CC 2014. Defended a man charged with conspiracy to import Class A drugs into the UK from Brazil.
• R v PH, Aylesbury CC 2015. Defended one of two defendants charged with large scale cannabis production.
• R v MM, Croydon CC 2015. Defended a man charged with street dealing of class A and B drugs and possession of criminal property. The defendant pleaded guilty and received a suspended sentence.

Other offences

• R v DA, Harrow CC 2013. Defended a woman charged with arson with intent to endanger life. It was alleged that she had set fire to the front door of her family home. She denied involvement and was acquitted.
• R v VA, Woolwich CC 2016. Defended one of four defendants charged with conspiracy to hold another person in slavery.  The prosecution offered no evidence against the defendant on the second day of the trial.

Notable reported cases

• R v Kelly [2014] EWCA Crim 1968 (Possession of a prohibited weapon: Secondary transfer of DNA.)
• R v Valesques and Shepherd [2015] EWCA Crim 2090 (Wounding with intent: Dangerousness, extended sentences.)
• R v Blackall [2006] 1 Cr. App. R. (S.) 22 (Possession of a prohibited firearm: Minimum term sentence, exceptional circumstances.)
• Steadman v DPP [2003] RTR 2 (Failure to provide a specimen: Medical reason.)

Memberships

• Member of the Criminal Bar Association
• South Eastern Circuit
• CPS Advocates Panel grade 3
• CPS Rape Panel

Public Access qualified

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