Year of Call: - 2012
Membership: Middle Temple, Young Legal Aid Lawyers, CBA, Sussex Bar Mess, South London Law Society.
Richard Reilly is a specialist criminal defence Barrister with experience of all aspects of criminal defence work including murder, fraud, complex drug conspiracies, offences of violence & sexual offences. Richard joined Bishop & Light Solicitors in October 2022 having previously been employed as in-house Counsel for a busy North London Criminal Defence Practice which specialised in complex serious crime.
Notwithstanding the changing landscape of the criminal justice system and increasing commercial pressures, Richard is wholly committed to criminal defence work and accepts instructions in both private and Legal Aid matters determined to provide the best possible service to his lay client. His current caseload encompasses the full spectrum of criminal offences from petty larceny to complex confiscation proceedings. He aims to provide pragmatic advice and a robust and professional service to clients navigating the criminal court process.
Examples of recent cases: -
- R v MP Brighton YC: Young Defendant charged 3 x rape, ABH, threatening with a knife & controlling/coercive behaviour. Complainant made allegation that Defendant raped her on multiple occasions during relationship. D was initially interviewed in respect of controlling/coercive behaviour allegation and bailed with conditions of non-contact which D said to have breached by ambushing the Complainant at knifepoint and assaulting her causing ABH level injuries. Case involved extensive analysis of telephone/social media communications (excess 15,000 PPE) and scrutiny of Complainant’s 2 x ABE interviews which when compared exposed the Complainant had lied extensively in both interviews. Following sustained representations case discontinued days before trial.
- R v MS Brighton YC: Young Defendant charged with rape. Acquitted following 5 day trial in Youth Court.
- R v DH Lewes CC: Represented D in relation POCA proceedings following G pleas to drug supply offences. Crown asserted Benefit Figure of £152,188.21 and available amount of £79,005.92 (said to be hidden assets in form of cryptocurrency). Benefit Figure reduced to £45,406.78 and available amount £10,353.02.
- R v S Lewes CC: D accused of multiple counts of sexual assault of daughter between ages of 5–12. Acquitted on majority of counts save for 2 x Sexual Assaults & Inciting a Child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. Represented in Court of Appeal where sentence reduced substantially.
- R v G Lewes CC: Two youths steal moped and involved in road traffic collision where they sustain life changing injuries. Represented principal Defendant who was driver of the other vehicle. The moped had been stolen from one of the Defendants and it was the Crown’s case that that they had decided to pursue the moped and deliberately drove into moped as an act of 'vigilante justice to exact revenge' and charged s18 GBH. Defendant acquitted of s18 GBH following trial. Pleaded Guilty to Causing Serious Injury by Dangerous Driving in Magistrates Court. Suspended Sentence imposed.
- R v M Southwark CC: Led Junior conspiracy to import £7 million worth of cocaine by helicopter. D alleged to have provided cars with adapted compartments for onward distribution throughout UK. Acquittal.
- R v E Southwark CC: Led Junior £17 million MTIC fraud. Director of umbrella company alleged to be involved in large scale VAT fraud involving sale of precious metals.
- R v K Snaresbrook CC: Led Junior Conspiracy to Supply Class A 32 KG. Acquittal.
- R v KH Central Criminal Court: Alleged gang related murder. Led Junior. Acquitted of murder.
- R v Chelmsford CC: Murder. Led Junior. Youth who following argument with an unknown individual gave chase in motor vehicle. Hit an unconnected pedestrian causing death.
- R v N: St Albans YC: Certificate for counsel granted. Robbery. D 12 years old with SEN. Acquittal.
- R v S Snaresbrook CC: possession of knife, reasonable excuse defence, D history of self-harming and in possession of knife to cut wrists. Case discontinued following sustained representations.
- R v H Canterbury CC: Importation of over 30kg of cocaine and heroin, Junior alone. D advanced defence of duress. Convicted at trial. Represented in Court of Appeal where sentenced reduced from 16 years to 14 years.
- R v P St Albans CC: Led Junior. Complainant paralysed from shooting. Acquitted of attempted murder and perverting the course of justice.
- R v M Snaresbrook CC: D a mechanic whose business premises were raided by police. At the time suggested D was operating a chop shop described as an ‘Aladdin’s cave’ of stolen high value motor vehicles which in turn would be transported to D’s native Romania. Following targeted disclosure requests Crown offer no evidence.
- R v TW Southwark CC: Travel insurance fraud. Negotiated amended indictment substituting overarching count with specimen counts to reduce fraud from in excess of 100k to 40k. Sentenced to SSO.
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