Patrick Dennis
Both prosecutes and defends and is a CPS Grade 4 prosecutor
YEAR OF CALL 2006
Overview
Patrick practices in all areas of criminal law, both defending and prosecuting. Patrick is a grade 4 approved advocate for the Crown Prosecution Service on both the General Crime and Serious Crime Panels.
Notable Cases
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R v BR and others (Canterbury Crown Court, 2021) – Leading junior for the prosecution in a £2 million Bitcoin money laundering case. It was alleged the defendants participated in a money laundering arrangement where criminally obtained cash was laundered through Bitcoin ATMs which were stationed throughout the country. The cash would then be collected and squirreled out of the country through airports, ports and third party bank accounts. This was one of the first Bitcoin money laundering prosecutions.
R v OA and others (Maidstone Crown Court, 2021) – Led by Richard Barraclough QC in a murder arising out of a dispute between rival drugs gangs. This case involved significant amounts of SnapChat material which provided evidence of the build up to the murder. It also involved significant legal arguments in relation to the admissibility of gang related material. As prosecution junior I was required to conduct many of the legal arguments, present the CCTV evidence and cross examine the third defendant who was accused of perverting the course of justice.
R v DD and others (Maidstone Crown Court, 2021) – Prosecution of 5 defendants in a complex drugs conspiracy. The defendants were running a cocaine home delivery service. There was a 4 day Newton hearing after the principal defendant served a basis of plea seeking to minimise his role. The Newton hearing was resolved against the defendant.
R v MT and others (Maidstone Crown Court, 2021) – Serious and complex money laundering case where the defendants were accused of smuggling millions of pounds in cash out of the country via the Port of Dover. The case involved the presentation of complex cell site, phone download and surveillance evidence.
R v OB and others (Chelmsford Crown Court, 2020) – Prosecution of a cigarette smuggling gang. The total value was around 10 million pounds.
R v AG and others (Woolwich Crown Court, 2020) – ATM ram raid case in which a series of well planned, sophisticated offences took place resulting in a significant amount of money being stolen. The case involved complex phone and surveillance evidence.
R v DP (Maidstone Crown Court, 2019) – Led by Philip Bennetts QC in a murder where the defendant was accused of stabbing the victim in a caravan park near Faversham. The defendant had killed twice before in Romania. The case involved a complex bad character application. It also involved organising eye witnesses from abroad made more difficult by a series of delays in the trial caused by the defendant. As prosecution junior I was required to present the CCTV evidence which was a significant part of the case against the defendant.
R v DB (Canterbury Crown Court, 2019) – High risk domestic violence case in which the defendant who had assaulted a number of previous partners was accused of false imprisonment and ABH against his current partner. The victim turned completely hostile asserting that the initial allegations she had made were false. She had written prior to the trial starting that her initial allegations were untrue. However an application to treat her as a hostile witness was granted and she was cross examined on her original statements. The defendant was convicted and an extended sentence was imposed.
R V RR (Maidstone Crown Court, 2018) – Serious arson case where the defendant was found not fit to plead. A complex case based on strong circumstantial evidence. The defendant was sentenced to a restriction order in accordance with section 41 Mental Health Act 1983.
Operation Splinter (Croydon Crown Court, 2018) – Leading junior for the prosecution in a Flying Squad case in which two defendants were convicted of conspiracy to cause explosions and conspiracy to steal after a six week trial. A further defendant had previously pleaded Guilty. This was a complex case in which the defendants blew up eight ATM machines across the South East of England stealing in excess of £150, 000. The case involved complex phone and cell site, ANPR and surveillance evidence.
R v D (Kingston Crown Court, 2016) – Led by Robin Griffiths in a 6 week trial resulting in the conviction of the defendant dubbed “London’s most dangerous woman” for a campaign of harassment.
R v NJ (Maidstone Crown Court, 2018) – The defendant was accused of repeatedly raping his step daughter over several years. Acquitted on all counts after trial.
R v KB (Reading Crown Court, 2018) – The defendant was acquitted of manslaughter after trial following a late night incident in Windsor Town Centre.
R v MA and others (Inner London Crown Court, 2017) – MA was accused of raping a 14 year old girl as well as forcing her to perform sexual acts on him and his friends. Acquitted on all counts after trial.
R v DA (Central Criminal Court, 2017) – Lorry driver accused of causing the death of a cyclist by careless driving, acquitted after trial.
R v JB (Snaresbrook Crown Court, 2017) – Three week mortgage fraud trial involving cut throat defence. Co-defendant convicted unanimously of conspiracy to defraud. JB acquitted of conspiracy to defraud and although convicted by majority of the lesser offence of fraudulent trading he received a suspended sentence.
R v BDR and others (Kingston Crown Court, 2016) – 23 year old client of good character acquitted of attempted murder and three alternative counts after a 14 days trial.