
Lawrence Mark Henderson
‘He defends in a range of cases’ Legal 500 (2020)
YEAR OF CALL 1990
Overview of Practice
Lawrence has focussed his practice on defence advocacy. He has in the past prosecuted general crime for the CPS and the Serious Fraud Office in serious and complex cases. His defence work spans all areas of crime.
Lawrence prides himself on having time for all those he represents and recognises the pressures on solicitors and lay clients alike. The key to defending successfully is taking the extra step with those he represents and taking time to not only give advice but ensuring that the complexities of the criminal process are well understood by the client.
Practice Areas
Lawrence has represented persons charged with all manner of criminal allegations. He has represented those charged with the serious allegations of murder, both leading and as junior counsel, rape and other serious sexual assault.
Lawrence regularly defends in allegations of fraud and financial misconduct in the Crown Court.
Lawrence is well able to deal with cases involving the very often complicated issue of confiscation of assets as it affects an increasing number of cases.
Notable Cases
R v CS (Swindon CC, July 2018) – Serious violence, kidnap, false imprisonment, drug dealing and firearms – LH represented one of a number of gang members charged with firearms, drugs dealing, serious violence and kidnap offences. This case had a great deal of cell site evidence, against which challenge lay. This case required careful consideration of the defence strategy in that the cross examination of the complainant would/could shape the way the case unfolded through the prosecution case.
R v OP (Harrow CC, June 2018) – Man accused of fraud by representing that he wanted to buy a travel agency business to enable him to funnel passengers from his (non-existent) airline business into his intended hotels business in the USA – LH represented a man who had approached the owner of a travel agency business with an offer to buy it. Which was accepted and moneys advanced to the defendant on the understanding that the offer was in good faith. Defendant arranged ‘trade mark’ cover for the business in the USA with USA Attorney’s and was to fund partially, the making of the a film to be produced in Hollywood. The star of the film was deployed to show bone fides (but was not called to give evidence). There was an involved trail of some true and some other documents which set up the funding for the purchase deal, using unusual financial instruments and loan arrangements.
R v JB (Southwark CC, Aug 2017) – Women accused of perjury and perverting the course of justice – Represented a woman charged with multiple counts of perverting the course of justice, and perjury arising out of her multiple complaints of rape. The five complaints spanned several years and fifteen different alleged perpetrators. This was a very significant course of conduct. The sentence of 10 years custody has been appealed and leave granted.
R v C (Reading CC, 2016) – Allegation of attempted murder – currently before the Court of Appeal Criminal Division where the court will adjudicate a point on ‘joint enterprise’.
R v A (CCC, 2016) – Allegation of procuring support for a terrorist organisation. The defendant was charged with promoting support for ISIL via the distribution of literature and online and being in possession of items useful to those involved in terrorist activity. The case interestingly, involved exploration of the differences in views and belief structures of Sunni and Shiite Muslims. There was expert evidence from an expert in historical Islam.
R v H (Reading CC, 2015) – Schoolteacher of ‘special needs’ children accused of rape on school premises of teenage student. The complainant gave evidence with the assistance of an intermediary. The case involved a misleading report in a local newspaper which required challenge.
R v C (Southwark CC – D, 2014) – An accountant and company director, charged with fraud in millions, was accused of ‘hiding’ funds in 25 different companies and bank accounts. Confiscation proceedings required financial evidence from 7 different jurisdictions and the co-ordination of financial expert reports.
R v GH (Maidstone CC, 2019) – Represented a D accused of long-term sexual abuse of his daughter (aged14 – 16), over period of 2 years. This involved advising D that his sexual relationship with his daughter was not a ‘permitted’ relationship although they ‘co-habited’. D was particularly ‘highly strung’ although not suffering any defined mental deficit and taking instructions was a particularly taxing exercise. Sentence: extended sentence by virtue of S226A CJA 2003 18 years and 4 years extension. Learned judge found there to have been ‘a campaign of rape’.
R v AN (Southwark CC, 2019) – Represented D who faced allegations of supply of Class A (21 kg’s Cocaine and MDMA sufficient for 250,000 pills), possession of £100,000 counterfeit currency and ammunition. D was alleged to be the leading role in the enterprise, being conducted under the cover of a legitimate business. Sophisticated operation, which was well planned and used the latest telephonic systems. The case was reliant on the evidence of experts in all the differing aspects of the prosecution case; seven in all. (15 years custody is subject to application to appeal against sentence)
R v KJ (Swansea CC, 2019) – Represented D who was alleged to be the leading role in a targeted burglary conspiracy amounting to 142 burglaries of which a number were said to be ‘aggravated’ – over the period of 6 months. D and his team were said to be very forensically aware. The aggravated burglaries were all subject of successful submissions of ‘no case’ at the close of the prosecution case, but convictions followed on the conspiracy count. Sentenced to serve 10 years custody (subject to application to appeal against sentence)