NOTABLE CASES

R v J and others [Manchester Crown Court, Minshull Street]:
Operation Deben – Conspiracy to Burgle.

This was a multi-defendant matter where the defendants were said to have been part of an Organised Crime Group (OCG), targeting high value products from within commercial premises.

R v W and others: [Manchester Crown Court, Minshull Street] 
Operation Ardenne – Grievous Bodily Harm with intent (GBH), Aggravated Burglary and associated offences

A multi-defendant case, which proceeded to trial at Manchester Crown Court (Minshull St). The defendants were prosecuted for Grievous Bodily Harm with intent (GBH), Aggravated Burglary and associated offences committed in the Stockport area. It was alleged the defendants were part of an Organised Crime Group (OCG) which targeted the local community using gang violence and intimidation to secure compliance. It was alleged the offences related to the drug activity of the OCG and the enforcement of drug debts.

The aggravated burglary arose out of attempts to “tax” properties which the defendants believed to be cannabis farms. Five defendants represented by Morton’s Solicitors were acquitted after a Crown Court trial.

R v A and others: [Manchester Crown Court, Minshull Street]
Operation Montague – Conspiracy to Facilitate Unlawful Immigration.

This prosecution arose following a Home Office criminal investigation to expose “sham marriages” which occurred between Pakistani and Portuguese nationals within the United Kingdom. The intention behind the marriages was to circumvent the Immigration Law, enabling people to live in the UK.

R v B and others: [Manchester Crown Court, Minshull Street]
Operation Toledo – Conspiracy to commit Armed Robberies and Burglaries.

This case related to a police investigation in to the actions of an Organised Crime Group (OCG) operating in South Manchester. It was alleged that the group targeted dwelling houses to steal high powered motor vehicles before using those vehicles to commit further crime including commercial armed robberies. Two defendants represented by Morton’s Solicitors were acquitted after a Crown Court trial.

R v W and others: [Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square]
Operation Flat – Conspiracy to Murder.

This was a multi-defendant Crown court case relating to the execution of a rival drug dealer. The proceedings involved the examination of a huge volume of phone and electronic data, CCTV analysis, cell-site analysis and statements.

Following careful negotiation with the Prosecution they offered no evidence in respect of the murder indictment and the defendant pleaded guilty to a lesser offence resulting in a short custodial term.

Defence team, Simon Morton, David Fish QC and Richard Orme.

R v E: [Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square]
Murder Charge

We represented the defendant who was charged with the Murder of her husband. The issues in the case were complex. Both parties had a history of significant alcohol misuse and domestic violence.

It was essential to challenge the Pathology evidence brought by the prosecution and examine the mental health of the defendant at the time of the allegation.

Defence team, Simon Morton, David Fish QC and Steven Wilde.

R v B: [Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square]
Murder Charge

We represented the defendant who was charged with the Murder of her long-term partner and father of her children. This case was defended on the basis that the defendant was the victim of prolonged physical abuse by the deceased, and that at the material time she acted in lawful self-defence.

The case involved a complex psychiatric assessment of the defendant and expert pathology evidence to establish the mechanism of the fatal blow.

Defence team, Simon Morton, Guy Gozem QC and David Morton.

R v B: [Derby Crown Court]
Importing Automatic Firearms

We represented the defendant who was charged with Importing Automatic Firearms (and associated ammunition) into the UK from America and Eastern Europe. The weapons were purchased on the dark web using Bitcoin.

Defence team, Simon Morton and Adrian Farrow.

R v I: [Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square]
Manslaughter Charge

We represented the defendant who was charged with the Manslaughter and poisoning of her young child. The pathology and toxicology evidence in this case was complex. There were a number of post mortem examinations conducted by Home Office Pathologists.

It was necessary to challenge the inconclusive findings from these examinations which resulted in specialist brain and heart examinations. The defence were able successfully argue that the child could have died from natural causes and the prosecution case collapsed.

Defence team, Simon Morton, Stephen Meadowcroft QC and Richard English.

R v Dr R. [Chester Crown Court]
Rape and sexual assault.

Our client was a Gynaecologist accused of raping and sexually assaulting his on off girlfriend.
These allegations caused our client’s medical practice to be restricted.

We represented our client at both the Interim Order Tribunal Hearings (IOT) conducted by the General Medical Council (GMC) and throughout the criminal proceedings.

The issue for trial was consent. The defence were able to establish, through thorough pre-trial investigation of the complaint’s mobile phone data that she mislead the police during her ABE interview. We discovered better quality imagery of bruising was present, rather than the poor-quality images she had supplied to the police. We instructed a Consultant Forensic Pathologist to examine that evidence. She opined that the marks were inconsistent with the complainant’s version of events and were probably self-inflicted.

This expert evidence, together with other submissions relating to the complant’s sexual history caused the prosecution to offer no evidence on the morning of trial and our client was discharged from the proceedings retaining his good character. Subsequently the GMC removed our client’s practice restrictions and he was able to return to work.

Defence team, Simon Morton and Kate Blackwell QC.

R v W. [St Albans Crown Court]
Rape and sexual assault by penetration.

Our client faced historical sexual allegations made by his younger sister. She alleged that when she was aged between 7 and 10 years and the defendant was aged between 12 and 15 years he would rape her vaginally and orally.

Additionally, she alleged, he would sexually assault her by digitally penetrating her vagina.

The charges were vehemently denied by our client and not supported by either of their parents nor their sibling.
Our client was acquitted at trial.

Defence team, Simon Morton and Justin Hugheston-Roberts.

R-v-B. [Stockport Magistrates Court]
Sexual assault.

Our client was accused of sexually assaulting his ex-partner at their former home after attending to collect some of his personal property. The allegation was denied.

He stated that when he was leaving with some of his belongings the complainant attacked him and he merely pushed her away using lawful self-defence.

There was no sexual element to his actions. The Magistrates rejected the complainant’s evidence and our client was acquitted.

Defence team, Simon Morton.

R v A. [Stockport Magistrates Court]
Voyeurism.

Our client was the Landlord of a public House who was discovered to have installed secret cameras in an area of the public house where staff members routinely got changed. He recorded their private acts. Staff members discovered the camera and the footage was seized by the police. The police identified multiple victims.

Despite the serious nature of the allegation and the breach of trust our client avoided an immediate custodial sentence and retained his liberty.

Defence team, Simon Morton.

R-v-G. [Stockport Youth Court]
Possession of Indecent Images.

Our client was a 17-year old youth who was charged with the possession of indecent images of children. He attended a private school in Greater Manchester. “Sexting” between his school and another school was rife, as was the sharing of pornographic material.

He was the one that got caught and our role was damage limitation. It was essential to expedite the case to ensure that he was dealt with as a youth. Had he turned 18 before his first appearance in Court the result would have been entirely different.

He pleaded guilty at the earliest possible stage and was sentenced to a Referral Order and avoided having to sign the “Sex Offenders Register”. His conviction was “spent” upon the completing of the order.

Defence team, Simon Morton.

R v DR

Cumbria police investigation involving marital rape. Taking proactive steps in this case was hugely beneficial and it demonstrated that in some cases providing a positive defence at this stage can cause the police to take no further action, or prosecute the case through court.

R v NF

Cumbria police investigation into coercive & controlling behaviour another example where positive action at the investigation stage resulting in the police refusing charge.

R v NW  [Stockport Magistrates Court]

Female accused of domestic assault upon ex-partner in the street from December 2017 dealt with November 19. This case involved the careful analysis of hours of CCTV footage which we were able to use to show that the complainant’s version was false. Acquitted, case dismissed, defence costs awarded from Central Funds.

R v GS   [Stockport Magistrates Court]

Male accused of two counts of assault, public disorder and criminal damage. Trial won – case dismissed.

R v M: [Manchester Crown Court, Minshull Street]
Dangerous Driving

We represented the defendant who was charged with Dangerous Driving and failing to stop after a road traffic accident. It was alleged that the defendant had deliberately driven in to a group of cyclists causing both damage and injury before leaving the scene. The defendant disputed the allegation and elected trial by jury.

The defence involved the preparation of video footage of the route taken by the road users, together with additional plans and photographs to demonstrate the defendant’s version of events was plausible.

The Prosecution were persuaded to withdraw the allegation of dangerous driving and our client retained his diving licence.

Defence team, Simon Morton and Paul Reid QC.

R v AJ

Exceptional hardship argument advanced and the court were persuaded not to disqualify. The client wrote this

“This firm has helped me to overcome my hardship crisis in which I may potentially have lost my license. Mr Morton and his team worked extremely hard to successfully allow me to retain my license. If there is anyone that I would recommend it would be Mortons Solicitors for the professional service, the level customer care and the genuine interest in helping their clients.”

R v JP – Chester Police
Speeding Offence

“I have used the services of Morton’s solicitors for a number of years I recommend them highly they have gotten myself results you wouldn’t believe (3 points and £65 fine for 104mph) need I say more! Very professional and a pleasure to know thank you Morton’s solicitors”

R v PC – Cheshire Police   [Stockport Magistrates Court]
Driving with Excess Alcohol.

The client said this

“I would just like to thank Simon and his team for a truly professional service. The attention to detail involved in Simon’s work was second to none. His determination within the court process reflected in a positive outcome. Thank you once again.”

R v RG, [Chester Magistrates]
Driving with Excess Alcohol

Client testimonial

“I found myself in the unfortunate position of requiring a solicitor for the first time in my life. I can highly recommend Simon Morton, such a professional. Simon did his job before I’d even arrived at court. I really appreciated his expertise but also his very personable and humane approach, especially given the fact that I was a bag of nerves and very upset. Would definitely recommend!”

R v AR   [Stockport Magistrates Court]

Successfully overturned client’s conviction for driving whilst over the limit for drugs due to the Randox scandal and successfully applied to remove the conviction from the Police Record of Convictions.