Having completed a BA degree in Urban and Political Geography at Manchester Universtity, Karen went on to undertake a postgraduate  diploma in Housing and Social Studies at the School for Advanced Urban Studies at Bristol University.

Before coming to the Bar, Karen worked with The Industrial Society, Shelter, Women’s Aid and The Home Office on projects focusing upon homelessness, employment and domestic violence.

Recent Cases

Neil Smith - Offence contrary to section 18 OAPA 1861, involving allegation of stabbing which caused the victim serious abdominal injuries. A witness refused to go into the witness box and an abuse of process argument was ultimately successful following the Crown's failed applications to treat him as a hostile witness and to read his statement as admissible hearsay.

Hasina Begum and others - Defendant one of 11 accused of conspiracy to defraud a number of high street banks by the use of personal details of bank account holders. VHCC.

Ishrat Aziz - Defendant accused of  conspiracy to defraud the Abbey Building Society of between £500,000 and £600,000 by using personal account details. Successfully challenged prosecution application to have a trial in absence when the defendant left the UK for Pakistan at time of trial. Confiscation proceedings successfully challenged and abandoned by prosecution.

Dixon and Others - Conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Junior to Sam Stein QC. Confiscation to be heard. 

Wykes - offences of sexual assault of children over the internet and child pornography.

Ankers and Others - possession with intent to endanger life, possession of a MAC 10 firearm and ammunition. Represented a juvenile alleged to be one of the suppliers of the firearm. Acquitted.
 
 
Currently instructed

R v O, familial rape allegation of under 13 yr old.

R v J, multiple familial sexual assault case, historic allegations made against a number of related adults.

Revenue and Customs v Landsborough [Operation Tangelo], VHCC. 19 defendants charges with section 328 Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
 
 

Publications

Researched and wrote ‘Breaking the Circle’, a Shelter publication.
Lecturer in Crime, Evidence and accredited IATC advocacy trainer, ICSL 2000-2004
Contributed to Criminal and Evidence Manual, ICSL/City University
Contributor: Law Text Culture

Memberships

Criminal Bar Association
Liberty