Introduction
Sarah accepts instructions in the practice areas of criminal and regulatory law. She is regularly instructed in Magistrates Court and Crown Court proceedings.
Sarah is instructed by both prosecution and defence on a range of matters including fraud, violence, drugs and offensive weapons. Sarah has a keen interest in all road traffic matters having undertaken a specialist pupillage in road transport law. She has an approachable manner and gives clear, practical and realistic advice to her clients.
Sarah graduated with first class honours and secured a prestigious Middle Temple scholarship. She has over a decade of previous work experience and was a solicitor agent for a leading national provider of advocacy services
Notable Cases
R v PD – Sarah appeared for the Defendant at a sentencing hearing of a number of sexual offences relating to children, including the possession of thousands of indecent images [of all categories] the Court imposed a sentence of 2 years imprisonment suspended for 18 months.
R v SM – Sarah appeared at an appeal against sentence for a Defendant who had failed to provide a specimen of blood. The Court reduced the disqualification period from 24 months to 17 months.
R v MS – Sarah successfully prosecuted a trial concerning the fraudulent use of a blue badge for the local authority.
R v KR – Sarah successfully prosecuted an appeal against conviction in a trial concerning an assault where the complainant was not supportive.
R v GM – Sarah appeared for the Defendant at a sentencing hearing of a number of charges of fraud. The Court imposed a 2-year sentence suspended for 18 months.
R v SN – Sarah appeared for the Defendant at a sentencing hearing for failing to provide a specimen of blood. It was the Defendant’s second disqualification in two years. The Court imposed a 44 month disqualification and a fine.
Taxi Licensing
Cheshire Council v C – Representation of a taxi driver who had his license revoked for failure to have a valid MOT on his vehicle.
Cheshire Council v V – Instructed for a taxi driver who had failed to renew his insurance.
Blackpool Council v P – I represented a taxi driver who provided incorrect details when applying for his licence.
LEZ Penalties
I have represented a client whose vehicle was compliant with the rules but had been issued with LEZ penalties by mistake.
I have also represented a client whose vehicle was not compliant with the LEZ rules, and they had not paid the daily surcharge resulting in penalties. I was able to get a significant reduction on the penalties.
Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalties
I represented a client who was found to have several clandestine entrants in the back of their trailer. I was able to show that they had a reasonable system in place to prevent clandestine entrants and the penalties were revoked.
I represented a client who was found to have clandestine entrants in the back of their lorry. I was able to show that they had attempted to invoke a reasonable system to prevent clandestine entrants and the penalties were significantly reduced.
HMOs
I represented a client who had owned self-contained flats in a converted house. The property was undergoing extensive renovations and he was accused of having breached the HMO regulations. As at the time of the renovations the property was not compliant. Criminal proceedings were brought against the client.
I represented a client who had been issued with a civil penalty for non-compliance with HMO regulations. I was able to show that the regulations had in fact been adhered to and the penalty was revoked.
Council Tax
I represented a client who was challenging the banding of his council tax.
I represented a client who was challenging the amount of his bill and believed he was entitled to single person discount which had not been applied.
Restraining Order
I represented a Housing Association who had a restraining order in place to prevent certain persons from accessing a property.
(I have done this on numerous occasions always the same scenario)
Education
LLB Law – University of Wolverhampton
Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) – Manchester Metropolitan University
Appointments and Membership
Member – The Honourable Society of Middle Temple
Queen Mother Scholar – The Honourable Society of Middle Temple
