Thanks to her meticulous approach, her dedication, and her ability to handle cases where clients require patience and sensitivity, Tessa has developed a successful practice both defending and prosecuting.
She is ranked as a leading junior in Chambers and Partners, and a leading individual in Legal 500.
Background and Expertise
Called in 2009, she consistently holds her own in cases alongside opponents and co-defending counsel who are senior to her in both call and experience. Her list of notable cases below is demonstrative of the sorts of cases she is regularly involved in.
Tessa has been instructed in a number of cases investigated by the Trident Gang Command, and is sought out in cases which require attention to detail as well as frank, tactically astute advice. She is often commended for her role in multi-handed, paper-heavy trials, thanks to her case preparation and her focused handling of the disclosure regime.
Her caring but focused approach, and her reputation for representing vulnerable defendants, have seen her also instructed in complex, specialist cases where clients require patience and sensitivity.
She is heavily involved in training our current pupils in advocacy and practice development, and is a respected and valued member of the junior bar. She continually updates her training, including that regarding vulnerable witnesses.
Notable Cases
R v W, 2021
Led by Ruth Becker in multi-handed diamond fraud trial. Ruth and Tessa were the only team in the case that didn't have Queens Counsel. The value of the fraud was said to be in excess of £3 million. Crown offered no evidence after legal argument and disclosure requests. Not guilty verdicts entered.
Southwark Crown Court
R v H, ongoing
Prosecution of case involving contested encrochat evidence.
Wood Green Crown Court
R v CV and Others, 2022-ongoing
Tessa was lead counsel for the defendant Mr V alleged to have been one of the top members of an organised crime group running a drugs line in the south London area. The investigation took years. The Crown relied on an abundance of telephone evidence, much of which was served late and which included contested expert evidence. Tessa and her junior won multiple arguments at trial and she made important successful submissions at sentence. Despite the Crown's original assertion that their client’s involvement warranted a sentence in the region of 8 years, they secured one of 3 years imprisonment.
Inner London Crown Court
R v SL & 3 others, ongoing
Prosecuting 4 defendants for production of class A drugs and perverting the course of justice in case involving Encrochat evidence.
Basildon Crown Court
R v AH, 2024
Prosecution of man accused of being involved in the supply high quantities of class A drugs. Case involves contested Encrochat evidence, cell-site, financial evidence and evidence involving a number of different Encrochat handles. Tessa was instructed shortly before trial, requiring quick assimilation and assessment of a high volume of papers.
Wood Green Crown Court
R v CV
Led Jordan Santos in multi-handed conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Defendants alleged to be the top level of the drugs hierarchy
Inner London Crown Court
R v OG, 2019-2020
Defending in a conspiracy to supply class a drugs where over 10 kilograms of cocaine was seized a result of police surveillance at various locations.
Basildon Crown Court
R v DS, 2019-2020
Defended in a conspiracy to supply class A drugs which was the subject of police surveillance at various locations. Cocaine seized in ‘kilo’ blocks.
Woolwich Crown Court
R v GM, 2019
Defending in a multi handed London drug dealing conspiracy. Acquitted of criminal property offence.
Wood Green Court
R v S and others, 2016
Cross-county drug dealing gang trial.
Southampton Crown Court
R v H and others, 2016
Cross-county drug dealing gang conspiracy.
St Albans Crown Court
R v N, 2015
Defended a youth accused of drugs offences. Case eventually stayed as an abuse of process on the basis of argument that the defendant was a victim of trafficking.
R v O and others, 2015
R v H and others, 2015
Trial for multi-million-pound conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Junior for the Crown in this complex and highly publicised drugs trial, which led to convictions and Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings with figures in excess of £4 million.
Southwark Crown Court
R v E and others
Allegation of conspiracy to supply from Liverpool to Southampton.
Southampton Crown Court
R v T, ongoing
Prosecution relating to prohibited revolver and ammunition.
Snaresbrook Crown Court
R v B, 2024
Prosecuted drug dealer stopped in possession of a loaded firearm.
Chelmsford Crown Court
R v SM, 2019
Represented a 15 year old charged with attempted robbery, and possessing an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence. Sentenced on a guilty plea to a referral order.
R v B, 2017
Possession of firearms with intent to endanger life.
Snaresbrook Crown Court
FirearmsR v S, ongoing
Prosecution of ex police officer for multiple fraud offences.
Woolwich Crown Court
R v PC, ongoing
Prosecution of individual accused of conspiracy to steal high value motor vehicles.
Basildon Crown Court
RSPCA v S, 2024
Allegation of puppy farming.
Woolwich Crown Court
R v EdS, 2022-23
Defending alone – aggravated burglary and robbery of elderly individuals alleged against defendant thought to be vulnerable and potentially victim of modern slavery / kidnap.
Prosecution offered no evidence after numerous representations and disclosure arguments. Not guilty verdicts entered.
Basildon Crown Court
R v JA, 2023
Disclosure junior in bomb hoax case.
Central Criminal Court
R v JW, 2021
Represented a young man whose driving had caused the death of a female who had been crossing the road at the time. Community order imposed.
Basildon Crown Court
R v L and others, 2015
Acquitted of conspiracy to kidnap.
Central Criminal Court
R v B and others
Allegation of conspiracy to kidnap. Southampton Crown Court, and retrial at Winchester Crown Court.
CrimeR v JA, ongoing
Led in 3 handed murder trial representing a 19 year old.
Snaresbrook Crown Court
R v *a youth*, ongoing
Led in 2 handed murder representing 15 year old with learning difficulties.
Croydon Crown Court
R v KF, ongoing
Defending alone – allegation of attempted murder. Multiple stab wounds to defendant’s partner.
Wood Green Crown Court
R v TC, 2024
Led in murder. Represented 19 year old.
Chelmsford Crown Court
R v AF, 2023
Led in attempt murder of ex-partner.
Wood Green Crown Court
R v Louise Lennon & Another, 2023
Represented a young mother accused of causing or allowing the death of her 16 month son. Her ex-partner was charged with his murder and both were running cut-throat defences.
Central Criminal Court
Read more:
R v KH, 2021
Led by Sarah Jones KC at Winchester Crown Court defending in a gross negligence manslaughter case. Defendant was acquitted.
R v DE, 2020-2021
Led by Jane Bickerstaff KC in baby shaking murder trial representing defendant with learning and cognitive difficulties.
R v *a youth*, 2020
Led by Courtney Griffiths KC at the Central Criminal Court in 6 handed murder trial that was one of the only cases to continue during ‘lockdown’. Represented a 16 year old defendant. Acquitted.
R v MK, 2020
Attempted murder tried at the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey), in which an insanity defence was successfully raised in relation to a familial attack with a breadknife.
R v AA & others, 2019
Led by Elizabeth Marsh KC defending in a multi-handed murder trial at Ipswich Crown Court, in this retaliation gang killing.
News report here
R v SD, 2019
Led by Sarah Jones KC in a domestic allegation of murder said to have involved a ‘loss of control’.
R v A and others, 2016
Six-handed gang murder trial at Chelmsford Crown Court – during which an anonymity application for the Crown’s main witness was successfully opposed. This resulted in pleas to manslaughter being acceptable and no evidence being offered on the murder charge. Led by Abbas Lakha KC.
R v M and others, 2015
Conspiracy to murder trial. Defending a single mother of good character who was the only defendant to be acquitted. Led by Jane Bickerstaff.
Winchester Crown Court
R v FW (young person), 2022
Led by Justin Rouse KC at Truro Crown Court defending young man accused of serious sexual offences against 4 young girls. Acquitted of all counts.
R v N, 2019
Historical multi-rape allegation at Basildon Crown Court. Successfully defended family man against allegations by his daughter, in a case which involved anonymous letters pressing the complainant to come forward.
R v T, 2017
Snaresbrook Crown Court
R v J, 2016
Defendant acquitted. Southampton Crown Court. Multi-complainant familial abuse alleged.
R v W, 2015
Led. Multi-complainant familial abuse alleged.
Central Criminal Court
R v M, 2015
Defended male with learning difficulties who was accused of sharing indecent images of children. No evidence offered a week before trial.
R v C, 2014
Led. Multi-complainant familial abuse alleged.
Snaresbrook Crown Court
R v W, 2014
Led at Amersham Crown Court in first trial which resulted in acquittals and hung jury, and in retrial. More than 10 complainants alleging abuse over a 30 year period.
R v *3 youths*, ongoing
Prosecution of three young people accused of stabbing a student outside his school
Harrow Crown Court
R v W, ongoing
Prosecution of man who drove a vehicle at his partner before assaulting her, dragging her into his car and driving off with her in it.
Harrow Crown Court
R v ME & 3 others, 2022
Prosecuting 4 handed conspiracy to rob, leading Katie Mustard. First defendant pleaded guilty during the trial, with the others convicted by a unanimous jury. Sentencing to take place following dangerousness assessments.
Basildon Crown Court
R v P, 2016
Defended male who had stabbed a nurse while detained under the Mental Health Act. Plea to section 20 GBH accepted at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
R v O and another
Allegation of gang-related stabbing which resulted in pleas being accepted to lesser offences.
Isleworth Crown Court
R v D
Defended male accused of an unprovoked attack on his ex-partner, which was said to have been witnessed by her 10-year-old daughter. Acquitted despite graphic injury photographs.
Basildon Crown Court
R v **, 2019
Represented a youth alleged to have been involved with drugs and weapons against a background of modern slavery.
Bromley Youth Court
More serious cases involving youths can be found in other sections.
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Achievements
- Criminal Bar Association
- CPS Panel (Grade 3)
- CPS Serious Crime Panel (Grade 2)
- BPP Law School
- University of Sussex