David Richards

Call 1989
Email david.richards@3pb.co.uk
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A criminal law specialist, David both defends and prosecutes cases of the utmost gravity. Recent cases include attempted murder - allegedly using a vehicle as a weapon, child cruelty (the victim left with multiple fractures), serial rape, money laundering, blackmail and historic rape and sexual abuse.

He has appeared as junior counsel for both prosecution and defence in murder trials (including child murder). He has been instructed as leading counsel to prosecute serious sexual offences including historic rape and child abuse; he has also led for the defence in drugs conspiracies and attempted murder.

His practice covers the full range of serious criminal offences and he has appeared in a broad range of courts up to and including the House of Lords.

His manner with clients and witnesses is sympathetic and understanding. Having recently successfully defended a haulier charged with causing death by dangerous driving he was praised for the clarity of his advice without which the client (54 years old, never been in court before) would have found the case overwhelming.

David has developed particular expertise in cases of causing death by driving and has been involved in more than a dozen such cases in the last 5 years. These have ranged from two accused racing along country lanes, to a haulier with an allegedly insecure load, to a blacksmith towing a defective trailer. He has become adept at dealing with complex issues of causation and analysis of road traffic collisions.

An expert in service law he has been instructed to both prosecute and defend at courts martial and in the Courts Martial Appeal Court. The range of case runs from corruption (an accused who ‘sold’ an army base in Basra back to Iraqi contractors), to historic rape and buggery by the dependent children of servicemen in Cyprus in 1988, to fraud by fund holders in army units and on board ship. His articles on the service justice system have appeared in the Criminal Law Review and he has lectured the Service Prosecuting Authority and defence solicitors.

He has appeared in the Administrative Court in matters of judicial review and case stated.

He is a formidable criminal advocate who has developed a strong reputation among prosecution and defence solicitors alike.

He is a Western Circuit Advocacy Trainer and a grade 4 prosecutor. He was called to the New York State Bar in 2001.

Police Law

David has appeared for the police at disciplinary tribunals; he has recently advised on the options open to a claimant aggrieved by police action amounting to potential false imprisonment and malicious prosecution of a judicial office holder. He has advised and assisted the police in obtaining various civil orders, including Risk of Sexual Harm Orders and Premises Closure orders.

Goods Vehicle Licensing

He has appeared for both local authorities and individuals in Goods Vehicle Licensing cases; he has represented defendants charged with offences linked to construction and use of goods vehicles.

Environmental and Consumer Protection

He has appeared on behalf of local authorities in cases involving the depositing controlled waste without a waste management licence and concerning the environmental impact of the proposed changes in use of licensed premises.

He has appeared for a national supermarket chain in an abuse of process relating to the sale of out of date food.

He has lectured on the latest EU toy safety directive and the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 and the implications for market surveillance and enforcement thereunder. 

Notable Cases

R v F 2011
leading counsel in successful prosecution of serial rapist for offences committed in Germany in 1987 against 8 year old victim. Issues of jurisdiction and abuse of process preliminary to trial.

R v K and others 2011/12
leading counsel prosecuting defendants convicted after trial of money laundering and blackmail;

R. v AL [2011] -
child cruelty - parent causing severe injuries (multiple fractures) to 5 month old child

R. v B and B [2010] -
two men charged with the rape and buggery of a school mate when in Cyprus in 1988; neither had further connection with military but due to location and date of offence court martial the only available venue; successfully challenged terminating ruling by Judge Advocate.

R. v F [2010] -
prosecuting international conspiracy to clone and distribute false credit cards.

R. v M [2010] -
prosecution of accused charged with rape and sexual abuse of step daughters over 10 year period

R. v M December 2011
successful defence of estranged husband charged with attempted murder, allegedly deliberately running down ex wife's boyfriend with his car.

R. v MoD (ex p Al Sweady) [2009] -
judicial review of conduct by British Army at the 'Battle of Danny Boy' in Iraq

R. v P [2011] -
haulier carrying catering trailer charged with causing death by dangerous driving when hatch opened and collided with traffic lights, resulting in death of pedestrian.

R. v S [2011] -
multiple rape and sexual assault against the accused's partner and 16 year old friends

R. v S [2010] -
defence of the first ever prosecution by trading standards for selling legal highs

R. v W [2009] -
defence of 18 year old charged with rape of 10 year old girl.

R. v W and S [2011] -
defence of accused charged with wide ranging conspiracy to steal from fruit machines at service stations across the midlands and south of England