John Harrison QC

Fraud Law

THE LEGAL 500

“Bribery and corruption cases are a particular speciality”

 

In 2019, John made legal history, a testament to his extensive expertise in fraud law.  John, and his fellow members of the legal team, secured the first ever bribery acquittal for their client following a Deferred Prosecution Agreement. 

John is well known for his capability to handle the most complex of cases with a clear, pragmatic approach and has a strong background in civil litigation and commercial law that works to his advantage when advising clients in all types of litigation. He has a broad experience of cases involving human rights issues with particular interest in cases of factual and legal complexity.

“Particularly experienced in white-collar fraud”

THE LEGAL 500

Fraud Law Cases

R v Sarclad corruption and failure to prevent bribery

R v Patterson: VHCC fraud

R v Frisby: VHCC fraud

R v Smith: VHCC fraud

R v Page: a money laundering allegation stopped at the end of the prosecution case following legal argument based on the case of R v Anwoir & Others. The association mortgage fraud was also stopped following legal argument based on the case of R v Horncastle.                

R v Bundza: an internet ticketing fraud, involving the Leeds Festival and the V Festival that received significant local publicity.

R v Kiani: conspiracy to defraud and fraudulent trading offences prosecuted by the SFO. Defending a complex asset stripping fraud involving ‘white wash’ company purchases, inter-company loans, and the use of factoring agents.

R v Khan: identity theft conspiracy involving malicious computer hacking, dissemination and sale of stolen credit card account numbers, compromised bank account information, counterfeit currency, counterfeit cheques, and counterfeit identity documents. Defendant involved as a ‘moderator’ within the ‘shadowcrew.com’ website. Defending an international conspiracy involving internet theft and fraud.

R v Fitzsimmons: fraudulent Trading and Companies Act offences prosecuted by the DTI. Defending a complex phoenix fraud with a multi-million pound loss to creditors.

R v Amin: diversion fraud with loss to the revenue of over £15m prosecuted by HM R&C.

R v Hussain: (MTIC) leading Junior Counsel. Carousel fraud with loss to the revenue of £6.5m prosecuted by the HM R&C. A successful abuse of process argument led to the quashing of the indictment.

R v Parker: long-term fraud.

R v Edmondson: fraudulent trading.

R v Thomson: NHS fraud.

R v Day, Meredith and Welsh: ‘Donnygate’ frauds.

‘Operation Teddington’, R v Elam and Others, CPS HQ: one of the largest criminal prosecutions ever brought in West Yorkshire. Organised criminals were targeted with prosecutions of financial crime offences.

John has significant experience in a wide range of homicide cases from multi-handed gang related murders through to single-handed cases arising from domestic situations.

He has substantial experience of dealing with both complicated bad character arguments and joint enterprise situations.

“Recommended for prosecuting and defending serious criminal matters.”

THE LEGAL 500

John is known for his skill in forming productive relationships with his clients and his tactical excellence coupled with his outstanding trial advocacy is held in very high esteem by those who instruct him in such matters.

Homicide Cases

R v Ansell –  Complex single-handed murder case.

R v Culley – Murder of Husband by wife, complex background involving detailed medical and psychological analysis and evidence.

R v Goodall & Others – Operation Troop Substantial Moss Side gang related murder involving numerous defendants. Joint enterprise and bad character both major factors in the case.

Gang members who chased, cornered and then killed a man after he strayed into their “territory” have been sentenced.

Abdul Wahab Hafidah, 18, was kicked, stabbed, attacked with a hammer and hit by a car during a rush-hour chase in Moss Side, Manchester, on 12 May 2016.

He died from two stab wounds to the neck and injuries to his head.  At Manchester Crown Court, 10 men were jailed for up to 23 years and a 14-year-old boy was detained for five years for murder or manslaughter.

R v Liam Johnson & Others – Conspiracy to murder, two brothers paid to kill complainant, attacked with axe and knife, complex issues witness intimidation & cut throat defences.

R v. Callaghan, Ojengbede & Others – Attempted murder, shotgun used, drug turf war, complex factual case with extensive bad character issues.

R v. Barker-Jones & Others  – Aggravated burglary and double attempted murder, revenge attack on father and son, complex issues as to defendants mental state.

“Well known for his health and safety and regulatory expertise. A very good advocate, who has an excellent manner when dealing with victims and witnesses”

THE LEGAL 500

R v Coopers Civil Engineering – Prosecution, multiple injuries sustained when struck by sheet pile fell from excavator arm.

R v Andrew Jones Pies – Prosecution, fatal explosion in a factory, health and safety offences.

“John Harrison, prosecuting, told a jury that the severity of the explosion was “amplified” by the failure of the explosion relief panel – which failed to open and allow explosive gasses to vent because the original pins had been replaced with high tensile steel bolts”

R v Pavers – Asbestos contamination, first case after new sentencing guidelines came into force, successful argument they did not apply due to prosecution delay.

R v Smith – Prosecution, unsafe gas appliance fitter, custodial sentence.

A Barnsley gas fitter has been sent to prison for illegal and unsafe work at five properties across South and West Yorkshire over an 18-month period.  Counsel, John Harrison was prosecuting on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

R v Al Amin Warehouse – Gross negligence manslaughter, death of worker falling through roof, complex issues of employee/non-employee.

R v Sherwood Rise Limited – Corporate manslaughter, death in care home, first such prosecution in England.

R v Huntley Mount Engineering – Corporate manslaughter, 16 year old apprentice dragged into machine.

R v Pyranha Mouldings – Corporate manslaughter, worker trapped in industrial oven.

Trading Standards

• R v Thwaites: an Operation Mach case, from Sheffield, involving the deployment of test purchase officers as covert human resources.
  
  
• WYCC v Heminway: trading Standards.
  
  
• NYCC v Wileman: trading Standards. Defending Company Director alleged to have allowed false statements to be made on his company’s behalf.