Overview
Peter Glenser KC both prosecutes and defends very serious offences, in particular murder, serious violence, gang-related offending, serious sexual offences and firearms cases.
Peter also has a specialist knowledge of, and expertise in, firearms and firearms legislation, animal welfare, environmental offences and wildlife crime. In 2020 he successfully prosecuted a major CITES case involving the smuggling of European eels with an eventual retail value of £53m.
Peter is frequently instructed for the appellant in firearms licensing matters throughout England and Wales and is ranked in the legal directories in both crime and licensing.
Background and Expertise
In addition to a busy and heavy general criminal workload Peter specialises in military law.
He has been involved in many if not most of the more serious and high-profile court martial of recent years – including cases of murder, manslaughter, rape, serious sexual assault, other violence and dishonesty, as well as cases arising from alleged ill-treatment of enemy combatants, non-combatants and subordinates on operations.
He has experience of inquests with a jury and is licensed to receive instructions directly from members of the public.
Peter also practises from 7 Harrington Street, Liverpool, KBW Chambers Leeds and Cornwall Street Chambers Birmingham.
Notable Cases
Chief Constable of Herts v JF, Ongoing
JF is a former Police Officer who completed 26 years’ service with the Metropolitan Police Force.
Following his retirement from the force, JF was a Private Firearms Instructor who held both Firearms and Shotgun Licences under the Firearms Act 1968. JF had an unblemished and arguable exemplary record up until 2013. That year following some difficulties on the relationship he assaulted his wife when he discovered that she was being unfaithful.
As a result of the conviction, JF was banned from holding a firearms licence for a period of 5 years. Following the 5-year period, JF reapplied for a licence. The licence was granted; valid from 23/08/2018 until 22/08/2023. His latest application to renew led to the police attending his property, seizing his weapons, and revoking his licence. The Respondent says his previous licence was granted in error.
R v L, 2019
Represented the defendant in three trials in 2019. He was a former army and police officer who worked at the MoD Smalls Arms School Corps Collection. Accused of wholesale theft of firearms from the collection over many years. He was acquitted of most counts at trial one with the jury undecided on 4 counts. The weapons involved included semi-automatic assault rifles, pistols and military sniper rifles. Retrial on 4 counts and then a firearms trial in relation to possession of a semi-automatic military pistol. Following a ruling before trial after several days of legal argument the defendant pleaded to this count. Instead of the mandatory minimum 5 years he was sentenced to 6 months for this particular offence.
Winchester Crown Court
See report here
R v M, 2019
Successful defence of gun club member for alleged breaches of licensing provisions regarding the storage of black powder revolvers.
Peterborough Crown Court
R v M, 2019
Defendant was a firearms manufacturer who inadvertently imported S5 shotguns from America, a strict liability offence with a mandatory minimum of 5 years. Complicated issues of fact and law about where any sale conducted over the internet had taken place and whether there was in fact a sale where the firearms had been intercepted before delivery. After legal argument he received a conditional discharge. The Defendant has a very successful business making high quality firearms which employs a number of people. Despite his eventual plea he kept his business and his personal certificates.
Isleworth Crown Court
FirearmsR v K, 2020
Prosecuting a trial where the defendant was charged with the illegal import and export of critically endangered European eels. Peter, leading Sean Sullivan, was instructed by the CPS Specialist Fraud Division after an investigation conducted by the National Crime Agency. European eels are considered so endangered that they are subject to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and there is a strict prohibition on exporting them to outside of the European Union. The offences spanned a two year period and involved 16 prohibited exports consisting of over 5 million elvers with an eventual retail value in the Far East of over £53 million. The defendant was found guilty of all offences.
Southwark Crown Court
See report here
CrimeR-v-ZR and others, 2021
Defended the alleged gunman in a drive-by shooting which resulted in the death of a bystander.
Preston Crown Court
R-v-LW and others (January - May 2021)
Defended LW who was accused of the murder of Miguel Reynolds, conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to possess a prohibited firearm and conspiracy to possess ammunition. This was a complex multi-handed trial where LW was accused of being the gunman.
Liverpool Crown Court
R v TM, 2020
Prosecuted Tamer Moustafa who was charged with murdering his wife and neighbour when he was high on cocaine. Following a nine day trial the defendant was found guilty. The defendant was given a life sentence.
Birmingham Crown Court
Read more on BBC News
R v M, 2020
Peter Glenser KC, leading Sean Sullivan, successfully appeared for the prosecution in the East Croydon Railway Murder in Sept and Oct 2020.
Murder and ManslaughterNews
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Achievements
- Western and Northern Circuits
- Association of Military Courts Advocates
- Criminal Bar Association
- Dulwich College, Southampton University
- Inns of Court School of Law
- Bar Vocational Course 1993