Profile
Jamie has extensive experience in all aspects of criminal law, both prosecuting and defending; over the past 20 years in Silk he has appeared in many high-profile murder trials. He is often leading counsel of choice when dealing with complex medical and scientific evidence; he has long experience of cases involving non-accidental injuries in babies.
Jamie also appears in the Family Court in Public Law Hearings. He has recent experience of dealing with cases involving serious allegations of causing death and inflicting sexual and physical abuse, where his criminal advocacy skills have proved invaluable.
He also has considerable experience in regulatory matters, particularly serious breaches of Health and Safety legislation, and has appeared in several important cases for Local Authorities.
He also appears in Trading Standards cases and has acted for both local authorities and National Trading Standards.
His practice includes both legally aided and private work.
He has particular expertise in medical and scientific issues, with recent experience of non-accidental head injuries in babies, and involvement in a leading case in the interpretation of LCN DNA evidence
He also has considerable experience in regulatory matters, particularly involving issues of Discrimination, Health and Safety issues. He has regularly represented the Police Federation over the last 25 years both as a Q.C. and Junior in relation to Police Disciplinary Hearings and Inquests. He has also advised several high ranking officers in relation to employment matters.
In addition Jamie has also advised a group of BME officers in Cleveland regarding discrimination claims which were settled as well as local hotel chain in relation to a serious fire safety case.
He can often be found at the centre of the high profile murder cases on the North Eastern Circuit.
His practice includes both legally aided and private work and extends to undertaking family cases where his criminal litigation skills are relevant to the issues before the court.
Recent Cases
Hartlepool Borough Council v L (2025) acting for Local Authority in Finding of Fact concerning neglect and physical abuse
R v Davies (2025) successful defence of a driver accused of using his car to murder
R v Watson (2025) Prosecution in a torture murder
R v S (2024) a baby murder
Middlesbrough Borough Council v S (2024) acting for an intervenor in a Finding of Fact Hearing involving non-accidental head injury to a baby
R v Robinson a case involving cruelty and murder of a child
Darlington Borough Council v B acting for a respondent in case involving allegations of sexual abuse
North Yorkshire Council v Newbury and others (2023 Trading Standards prosecution of a nationwide building fraud
Durham County Council v Stonegate Pub Co. Ltd (2023) Health and Safety prosecution following death of a student outside a nightclub in Durham
Durham County Council v Durham County Cricket Club (2022) Health and Safety Prosecution following partial collapse of stand at International cricket match
R v Hamblin (2022) attempted murder by torture
R v Mottershead (2021) conspiracy to murder (gang violence in Sheffield)
R v Higgins (2020 defence of mother accused of manslaughter (head injury to baby)
R v Gregory (2020) attempted murder (gang shooting in Sheffield)
Operation Seabrook (3 trials September 2018-February 2019) Have been advising Police and CPS (with DPP case meetings) on prosecution of prison officers in respect of historic sexual and violent offending against inmates at a Detention Centre between 1960’s and 1980’s. 1700+ complaints. This the biggest historic abuse case in English Legal History
R -v- Marsden, British Cycling and another (2018) Mold. Health and Safety prosecution on behalf of Denbighshire County Council
R -v- Unwin and McFall (2018) Newcastle. Successful prosecution of two previously convicted murderers accused of raping and murdering a woman
R -v- Burn (2018 Newcastle Crown Court
R -v- Jones (2017) Leeds Crown Court. Successful defence of man accused of murder by arson.
R -v- Dhillon (2017) Newcastle Crown Court. Defence of Sikh soldier accused of stalking and murdering ex-girlfriend
R -v- Imray (2016) Newcastle Crown Court. Successful defence of learning disabled man accused of murder
R -v- Cruse (2016) Teesside Crown Court. Successful defence of teenager accused of gang murder
R -v- F and D (2015) Leeds Crown Court. Defence of 14 year old girl charged with murder
Adverse decision appealed to Police Appeals Tribunal; subsequently we succeeded in Administrative Court on Judicial Review
Chief Constable of Northumbria v MA (2015) defence of Chief Inspector accused of gross misconduct due to sexual harassment of work colleagues
Chief Constable of Northumbria –v- DE (2014) defence of Sergeant charged with serious misconduct; including abuse of process arguments; case pursued to successful appeal before Police Appeals Tribunal.
R-v-Sutton (2014) Leeds Crown Court Defence of man accused of killing his wife and attempting to murder her children.
R-v-Duncan (2014) Newcastle Crown Court Defence of social worker charged with historic sex offences in Children’s Homes.
R-v-Middleton and Sowerby (2014) Teesside Crown Court Prosecution of Hartlepool axe murder.
R-v-Daniel Johnson (2014) Newcastle Crown Court Prosecuting a murder with a defence of insanity.
Inquest touching the death of Kirk Williams (2014) Teesside Coroner’s Court representing a Police Officer following a death in custody.
R-v-Garner (2013) Newcastle Crown Court cut throat defence in a murder with juvenile defendants.
R-v-O’Donnell (2013) Leeds Crown Court manslaughter prosecution with allegation of non-accidental head injury in a baby.
R-v-Park Gates Leisure (2013) Teesside Crown Court successful defence of a company accused of Health and Safety breaches following a fall from height.
Environment Agency v Huntsman Tioxide following a leak of sulphuric acid at Seal Sands, Teesside.
R v Honeyman and others (2013) prosecution of three handed South Shields murder.
R v D (2013) a lengthy and complicated ‘shaken baby’ manslaughter.
R v Rashid (2013) successful defence in a notorious West Yorkshire murder at Leeds.
R v Wood (2012) Health and Safety gross negligence manslaughter.
R v Willis (2011) Gateshead murder involving defendant with early onset dementia.
R v Johnson (2011) successful defence in an Easington murder based on interpretation of forensic evidence.
R v D (2011) historic sexual abuse case involving recovered memory syndrome.
R v Garbutt (2011) Melsonby Post Office murder.
R v Gladstone (2010) successful cut-throat defence in Gateshead murder.
R v C (2010) serial rapist in Hartlepool.
R v Reed; R v Garmson [2010] 1 Cr App R 23 leading case on the scope of expert evidence and the interpretation of LCN DNA.
Call
1984 Inner Temple
Silk
2006
Judicial Appointments
Recorder (Crime, Class 2 and Civil) 2002
Associations
Head of Fountain Chambers (Middlesbrough and Newcastle) 2010 – 2020
Member of North Eastern Circuit (Northern Area Silk Representative on Circuit Executive Committee)
Circuit Advocacy and Vulnerable Witness Trainer
Train Home Office Pathologists re giving expert evidence
Criminal Bar Association
Health and Safety Lawyers Association