Martha regularly prosecutes and defends in the Crown Court. She has experience in appeals from both Courts and has appeared in the Court of Appeal on a number of occasions. Her practice also includes representation of interested parties in inquests.

 

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GENERAL CRIME

VIOLENT AND DISHONESTY OFFENCES

R v W, Bristol Crown Court (2023 - ongoing) - Led by Jonathan Rees KC, Martha prosecutes a defendant charged with a number of offences including: possession of explosives and firearms with intent to endanger life. The trial is listed in October 2023 before a High Court Judge.

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R v S, Newport Crown Court (2023 - ongoing) - Defendant charged with murder, Martha is currently led by Jonathan Rees KC. The trial was heard before a High Court Judge and involved expert evidence in relation to the chemical analysis of wood fragments as well as complex legal issues of causation and hearsay.

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R v G & Others, Swansea Crown Court (2023) - Defence of one of 12 defendants charged with violent disorder. All defendants acquitted after a 4 week trial.

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R v S, Swansea Crown Court (2022) - Defence of a teaching assistant charged with child cruelty for an alleged assault at school on a 4 year old child with autism. Acquitted after trial.

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R v F & Others, Newport Crown Court (2022) - Prosecution of three defendants in a 5 week trial for Modern Slavery offences. Martha was led by Lowri Wynn Morgan.

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R v B, Bristol Crown Court (2022) - Defence of a police staff member charged with misconduct in a public office.

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R v B, Newport Crown Court (2020) - Defending in a trial involving allegations of domestic violence. The defendant was charged with false imprisonment by holding his girlfriend hostage at his home. During this time, he was alleged to have made threats to kill, assaulted her and sprayed her in the face with CS gas. The defendant was also charged with perverting the course of justice. 

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DRUG OFFENCES

R v M & Others 'Operation Soros', Cardiff Crown Court (2023 - ongoing) - Martha is currently led by Christopher Rees in defending the first defendant in an 'Operation Venetic' case.

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R v M 'Operation Talon', Cardiff Crown Court (2023) - Defence of a young man charged alongside two defendants with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

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R v D & Others 'Operation Carina', Swansea Crown Court (2022) - Led by Lowri Wynn Morgan in the defence of a man in a large Class A drugs conspiracy in one of the 'Operation Venetic' cases. Defendant acquitted after a 9-week trial.

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SEXUAL OFFENCES

R v W, Cardiff Crown Court (2023 - ongoing) - Defence of a man charged with historic sexual allegations within his religious community.

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R v D, Cardiff Crown Court (2023) - Martha defended a man at trial charged with the sexual assault of his friend whilst she slept next to him.

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R v R, Newport Crown Court (2023) - Defence of a man charged with engaging in sexual communications with his 13 year old granddaughter.

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R v T, Cardiff Crown Court (2022) - Defence of a man charged with assault by penetration. The complainant was a friend and the trial involved the defendant's daughter giving evidence as a prosecution witness.

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R v R, Cardiff Crown Court (2021) - Defence of a man who had pleaded guilty to breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Following a successful application to vacate his guilty plea and legal argument, the prosecution offered no evidence.

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R v C, Cardiff Crown Court (2021) - Martha was instructed as junior defence counsel led by Susan Ferrier in a case involving allegations of historic child sexual abuse. The case involved review of a significant amount of material. After trial, the defendant was acquitted on all counts.

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REGULATORY

CCC v X & Others (2023 - ongoing) - Defence of a woman charged alongside two other defendants alleged to have fraudulently bred and sold of puppies alongside providing unlicensed veterinary services.

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Independent Counsel -  Martha has been instructed on a number of occasions to act as Independent Counsel to conduct extensive reviews and advise on matters of legal professional privilege. She has been instructed by the City of Bristol Council, Trading Standards (City of York Council) and Newport Council.

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'Operation B', Reading Crown Court (2021) - Instructed as disclosure junior by West Berkshire District Council in a case involving alleged advance fee frauds in connection with the resale of timeshares.

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West Berkshire District Council (2020 - 2021) - Alongside her practice, Martha was instructed to work on secondment. She was involved at all stages, from pre-charge advice to hearings in Court. Martha has experience in prosecutions for a wide variety of offences including those under The Licensing Act 2003, The Housing Act 2004, The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015, the Food Hygiene Regulations (in both England and Wales), The Animal Health Act 1981, The Education Act 1996 and Taxi Licensing offences.

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R (The City of York) v BMM and AMM, Leeds Crown Court (2020) - Martha was led by Christopher Rees and represented the first defendant. The defendants were charged with fraudulent trading and an offence contrary to the Consumer Protection and Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. The case required consideration of over 35,000 pages of evidence served by the prosecution and involved legal argument relating to the power of the prosecuting authority to issue proceedings.

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INQUESTS

DW, Gwent Coroners' Court (2022) - Represented a care worker at an inquest into the death of a resident at a care home.

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TO, Pontypridd Coroners' Court (2021 - ongoing) - Instructed to represent an employee at an inquest (with a jury) into the death of an apprentice at work.

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AB, Pontypridd Coroners' Court (2022) - Martha was instructed to represent an employee at an inquest (with a jury) into the death of another employee at a work. 

 

SW, Bristol Coroners' Court (2020) - Represented a senior nurse at an inquest into the death of a care home resident.

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