Crime Team blog: this week in chambers

In: Article Published: Friday 23 April 2021

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Good morning all

I hope you're keeping well.

Welcome to the crime team weekly blog for the week commencing 19th April 2021:

Nermine Abdel Sayed secures unanimous acquittals after an attempted murder and wounding with intent trial. She was instructed by Teagy Grover of MTG Solicitors. 

This week, Ravinder Saimbhi has started a trial at Harrow Crown Court representing a young man on 2 counts of s18 GBH. The issue in the case is centred on the defendants capacity to form an intent at the time of the violent assaults as a result of mental illness and this is both a challenging and complex case, involving psychiatric experts for both prosecution and defence. The trial continues.

Ravinder recently represented the appellant in a regulatory matter at Leicester Crown Court which involved the breach  of an emergency prohibition order under s43 Housing Act 2004 issued by the local council  following an inspection which revealed a number of issues including fire hazards presenting an imminent danger and risk to life. The appellant landlord had been abroad and was  initially convicted in his absence with a substantial fine and costs of almost £11,500 costs imposed against him. Ravinder was instructed on a direct access basis and was able to take up the case at short notice and give measured and robust advice as necessary which resulted in the appeal being abandoned with leave, but the appeal against the sentence being successful with a fine of £4,500 and costs being reduced down significantly to £4,500 with no further costs being awarded against him despite the appeal. The client was very happy with the outcome.   

Representing two defendants at Maidstone Crown Court this week, Mohammed Saqib was able to secure a conditional discharges to 1 count of Theft. The matter was aggravated by similar previous convictions present for both defendants. 

​Mohammed was further successful before Harrow Crown Court earlier in the week for his lay client who had pleaded guilty to a single count of a commercial sized production of a cannabis factory. The starting point for the sentence was one of 4 years in custody, through strong and careful mitigation a 30 month custodial sentence was handed down.