Richard Onslow

Call 1982
Email richard.onslow@3pb.co.uk
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Richard Onslow is ranked as a leading junior by Chambers and Partners Directory 2012: 'Richard Onslow’s broad practice includes sexual offences cases, police matters and drugs work. He has a “very robust” manner and is “good with difficult lay clients”, according to sources.'

Richard Onslow began his career at the Bar in London, practising on the South Eastern and Western Circuits. He has dealt with cases before a variety of tribunals, ranging from Magistrates’ Courts to the Court of Appeal, including Courts Martial, and the Stewards of Jockey Club.

As prosecution Counsel, he has been briefed as a Leading Junior since 1995 in serious and often multi handed criminal cases, including conspiracies to supply drugs, and to incite criminal damage, Human Trafficking, Rape, Kidnap.

He has defended as a Junior, and since the mid 1990s as a Leading Junior, in most fields of criminal work including all forms of homicide, violence, child cruelty, sexual offences, drug importation and supply, dishonesty, blackmail, Merchant Shipping offences, and assorted common law offences. He undertakes police disciplinary cases and inquests; cases involving police officers include:

• Prosecution of 2 officers for Rape and Misconduct (leading Kate Lumsdon; R v Witcher & Lang. 2004; Retrial 2005)
• Defence of officer for Misconduct (R v Scammell 2006, Retrial 2007 leading Mark Sullivan)
• Defence of officer in the prececing case in Disciplinary Proceedings (Hants Police) 2008
• Representing interests of Police Inspector in Inquest (Oxford Coroner's Court, Re Death of Michael Spencer) 2009

Notable Cases

Hants Constabulary v PCS (2009)
- representing Police officer in disciplinary proceedings

In Re: M.S. (2009) -
Oxford Coroner's Court: representing interests of Police Inspector in inquest into circumstances of death following release from custody

Operation Anteater (2006)
- Leading Junior in prosecution of wide ranging 3 handed Conspiracy to Traffic attractive girls from Brazil for Sexual Exploitation.

Operation Anyway (2001)
- Prosecution of £1m VAT fraud

Operation Arnish (2004)
- Prosecution of series of Supplies of Class A drugs arising from undercover investigation.

Operation Basking (2007)
- Leading Junior in prosecution of multi handed conspiracy to steal contents (including a lot of brandy) of goods vehicles

Operation Benzol (2006)
- Leading Junior defending skipper of yacht in Conspiracy to Import large quantity of cannabis into Brighton Marina.

Operation Crossbow (2008)
- Leading Junior representing unfit defendant first on indictment with seven fit defendants in historical child abuse case

Operation Elm (2004)
- Leading Junior in prosecution of 2 police officers for Rape and Misconduct.

Operation Elmer (2008)
- Leading Junior defending in multi handed Vietnamese cannabis growing conspiracy

Operation Fabric (2004)
- Leading Junior defending in organised football violence conspiracy.

Operation Gripe (2007)
- Prosecution of multi handed Conspiracy to Pervert the Course of Justice

Operation Roadie (2003)
- Leading Junior in prosecution of 15 handed Conspiracy to Import and Supply tons of cannabis.

Operation Rowan (2000)
- Prosecution of Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs arising from undercover investigation

Operation Salamander (2005)
- Leading Junior defending in Conspiracy to supply large amounts of Class A drugs

Operation Silver Eel (2006)
- Leading Junior defending in Conspiracy to Cheat Revenue in Hydrocarbon Fuel Oil Rebate Fraud by ancient family of Poole fishermen netting a lot of money

Operation Washington (1997)
- Leading Junior prosecuting multi handed ALF and Anarchist conspiracy to incite criminal damage.

R v Briers (2003)
- Led Junior in defence of Manslaughter by Gross Negligence

R v Dyer (2001)
- Defending the Tesco Bomber

R v Guerrine and others (1995)
- Prosecution of the girls who robbed Elizabeth Hurley, just after she wore That Dress.

R v Luck (2002)
- Prosecution of matron of care home for historic child abuse

R v Marks (2000)
- Defence of skipper of Pleasure Boat charged with Merchant Shipping Act offences said to have occurred in Poole and Swanage harbours

R v Scannell (2008)
- Leading Junior defending police officer accused of Misconduct