Jessica specialises in criminal and military law.
Jessica’s practice has always been a mixture of both prosecution and defence as she is of the firm belief that the experience this brings, is advantageous to her clients. She is highly experienced in the handling of expert witnesses – particularly in the fields of pathology, injury inflicted as a result of sexual offences, firearms, and drugs.
Her defence work is predominantly the most serious sexual allegations, often involving vulnerable adults and children. She is enormously experienced in handling cases of the upmost sensitivity and clients know that she will work tirelessly to achieve the right result.
Jessica also has a strong defence practice in cases concerning the supply and trafficking of class A drugs. Finding holes in apparently strong case, often resulting in the Crown offering no evidence.
She regularly defends those accused of financial crime. Her recent cases ranging from allegations of defrauding the elderly to frauds perpetrated by bank employees against customers.
Jessica was selected as a CPS grade four panel advocate in 2021. Since then, she has frequently led on complex and serious multi handed cases.
The range of offences in Jessica’s practice is diverse – Homicide, sexual offences, firearms, serious violence, supply of drugs, high value conspiracies.
Jessica is a specialist Military Court advocate. She regularly defends members of the Armed Forces accused of sexual and violent offences.
Notable Cases
R v H, 2023
H was accused of the importation of over 2 millions pounds of class A drugs. Following numerous written representations and disclosure requests, the Crown offered no evidence.
R v T, 2023
T had two previous convictions for the supply of Class A drugs and the case included detailed cell site evidence. He was acquitted of the possession of criminal property and the jury failed to reach a verdict on the supply of class A drugs.
R v S, 2023
S was accused of running a county line between London and Portsmouth. There was a vast quantity of phone evidence however Jessica served an application to dismiss on the basis that it could not be established which class A drug was being supplied. The Crown offered no evidence in response to the application.
DrugsR v S, 2023
S is a former bank employee accused of accessing the account details of several customers allowing frauds to be perpetrated on their accounts.
R v D&D, 2023
Jessica defended in a trial involving the allegation of fraud against a blind elderly man. The trial involved handwriting evidence, jurisdiction issues and matters of South African property law.
Financial CrimeR v C & 6 others, 2023
Jessica is currently instructed as lead counsel in this seven handed conspiracy. The conspiracy spans over 70 offences of burglary and targeted theft of high value vehicles valued at over £500,000.
R v C & 3 others, 2023
Lead counsel in a four handed conspiracy. The defendants were involved in sophisticated burglaries and armed robberies.
R v G & 4 others, 2023
Lead counsel in an incident of gang violence which erupted early one morning in South London after a party broke down in disagreement. A shotgun was brought to the scene and discharged into a crowd. Further weapons were deployed by those on “both sides” of the fracas. Convictions included s.18 grievous bodily harm and possession of firearms with intention to endanger life, and for others, with intent to cause fear of violence.
Private Prosecutions2024
Jessica represented Hongchi Xiao, accused of Gross Negligence Manslaughter in relation to the death of a 60 year old diabetic who died at his Paida Lajin workshop
read more here
Murder and ManslaughterR v J, 2024
essica’s client was acquitted of six counts of rape, strangulation and forced labour. Jessica demonstrated that the complainant had, in the past, made allegations that were demonstrably false.
R v D&C, 2023
Jessica’s client was acquitted of perpetrating the most serious sexual offences against his partner’s five year old child.
R v H, 2023
H was a member of the Armed Forces accused of the rape of a German national in Germany. The Military Court in Sennelagar was re-opened for the first time since its closure in 2019 for this trial. He was acquitted of all counts.
R v N, 2022
N was an extremely vulnerable young woman accused of sexual activity with a child family member. She suffered from several communication and learning difficulties. She was acquitted of all counts.
R v R, 2022
R was a soldier in the British Army accused of sexually assaulting his colleague. He was acquitted of all counts.
Read more on the Dailymail
R v M, 2022
M was represented a soldier in the British Army accused of sexually assaulting the young daughter of another soldier. Following representations about the reliability of the prosecution witnesses, the prosecution offered no evidence and he was acquitted.
Rape and Sexual OffencesNews
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Achievements
- Criminal Bar Association
- South Eastern Circuit
- CPS Panel (Grade 4)
- BPP Professional Education
- Bar Vocational Course 2004