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On Saturday 14th October 2023, Reading Crown Court will be opening its doors to the public from 10am to 2:30pm. There will be tours of the cells, an opportunity to observe and participate in mock trials as jurors, talks from those involved in the criminal justice system and stalls provided by local criminal justice agencies and charities involved in the criminal justice system. It will be a good opportunity to find out about working in all parts of the criminal justice system. There is no need to pre-book.

Reading Crown Court – open day FLYER 2023 REVISED

Our Member of Chambers Gary Venturi is taking part in this years Clipper around the World Yacht Race which set sail on 3rd September from Gunwharf Quays.

11 identical yachts, crewed largely by amateurs, set off to take on a circumnavigation of the globe covering over 40,000 nautical miles under sail. UNICEF is the charity partner and collectively they aim to raise as close to £500,000 as they can – Dare To Lead, Clipper Round the World Yacht Race (justgiving.com)

The fleet have stopped in Cadiz, Spain and will stop in Uruguay, South Africa, Western and Eastern Australia, Vietnam, Southern and Northern China, Seattle and Washington DC before returning to the UK at Oban in Scotland and finally back to Gunwharf by late July 2024.

Gary is a crew member on the yacht Dare to Lead.  Upon leaving Portsmouth, 19 crew and 2 professionals sailed 24 hours a day for 8 1/2 days to arrive in Cadiz. Two days downwind in the channel then upwind, heeled over at 35/40 degrees for the four more. Just shy of 50 knots of wind and 5 metre swells. Torn sails and a dislocated shoulder (as well as sea sickness and a chesty virus) ravaged the crew – happily he’s escaped unharmed so far!  The race was ended prematurely (with Dare to Lead 8th of 11) when the wind died away, to allow for the quick turnaround in Cadiz. They spent the final 2 days motor sailing and towing another yacht from the fleet as it suffered engine trouble. Dare to Lead finally arrived at port Tuesday afternoon and have been repairing, preparing and provisioning  for the next race – 27 to 32 days across the Atlantic to Punte del Este in Uruguay.

We will provide regular updates as and when Gary reports in!

Chambers is delighted to announce that Matthew Parris has joined us as a tenant following successful completion of his pupillage.

Many congratulations, Matthew!

The 14th edition of the race kicked off on Sunday 3rd September at Gun Wharf Quays in Portsmouth.  Gary is a circumnavigator on Dare To Lead and is the teams’ Vittler.  The race takes place over 11 months and covers a distance of 40,000 nautical miles.  The boats will cross six oceans and visit every continent except Antarctica.  The race can be followed at clipperroundtheworld.com

Good luck and fair wind, Gary, we will see you back on dry land next Summer!

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race sets off from Portsmouth – BBC News

Efstathios was instructed to prosecute in a sexual assault trial in which a juror, a retired long-serving police officer, had brought to the Court’s attention that he would be biased in his findings. The appeal was dismissed by the Vice President of the Court of Appeal, Lord Justice Holroyde, sitting with Mr Justice Morris and HHJ Morris.

The reported case can be found by clicking on the following link R v Hernandez (Jordan)

Efstathios was instructed by the Crown Prosecution Service, Wessex and, latterly, the Appeals and Review Unit.

Brutal rapist Albert Lamb, 44, of no fixed abode, broke in to the home of two teenagers and raped a 17-year-old girl on her mother’s bed.  Her younger brother, who heard the ordeal from the room where he was hiding, called the police.  After the attack, Lamb was looking for money in the house and saw the brother hiding in his bedroom.  He tied up both children before escaping.  The Court heard only 12 hours earlier, Lamb and entered the house of another woman, beating her with a metal bar before raping her in her bathroom whilst she bled from her head.

Judge Catherine Tulk, sentencing at Aylesbury Crown Court, described his actions as deliberate and Lamb as a significant risk to members of the public.  He will have to serve a minimum of 12 years in jail before being considered for parole.

Brutal sex attacker who tied up teenagers as he carried out two sickening home invasion rapes 12 hours apart in Aylesbury is jailed for life | Bucks Herald

A talk to be given by Mr Steven Perian KC at the KL Bar Auditorium, Kuala Lumpur, on Tuesday 1st August 2023

Michael Cogan was instructed for the defence of Orla Melissa Sloan who was accused of stalking and harassment offences against Premier League footballers Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell. The prosecution alleged that the defendant bombarded the footballers with messages and calls from a large number of devices.

Further details of the case can be found on the following link https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-65967497

Sajad Hussain was today jailed for five years and four months after admitting five counts of fraud, spanning 2013 to 2020.

Over the course of seven years, Hussain defrauded three women he met on dating sites of more than £204,000.  All the women believed they were in exclusive relationships with him, when he had in fact got married in 2018.  The court heard that the defendant had a substantial gambling habit and during the period of these offence he lost £135,000.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-65842741

Yesterday saw the conclusion of Operation Seaspray, an investigation into a savage attack by a group of 7 young men upon a teenager outside City College in Southampton in broad daylight last November.

Following a painstaking police investigation 4 people were prosecuted for wounding with intent, violent disorder and weapon offences.

Barry was instructed by Samantha Lawrence from Wessex CPS.

Teenager stabbed in ‘blatant act of revenge’ outside City College | Daily Echo