Criminal Defence Blog

Barrister Quentin Hunt looks at issues relating to Breach of Condition Notices.

Quentin achieves acquittal for client in rape case at Portsmouth Crown Court.

Criminal defence Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the perverting the course of justice sentencing guidelines.

Quentin assists repeat client in avoiding going to prison in tricky sentencing cases.

Quentin's client regains shotguns following licence revocation.

No action taken against Quentin's client in serious allegations.

Quentin supports client in domestic violence allegations

Quentin ensures that Landlord only receives caution in illegal eviction prosecution.

Quentin secures Not Guilty verdict for Medical Professional whose career depended upon a clean record.

Quentin successfully looks after solider in high profile military police investigation.

Quentin secures no prosecution for celebrity client.

Quentin's client faces no action in potential prosecution under s179 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

CPS drop case on day of trial following Quentin's persistent representations against prosecution.

Shotgun licence granted for Quentin's client who had previously been convicted for Assault GBH having bitten part of a man's ear off in a nightclub fight.

Quentin saves clients substantial sum of money in Proceeds of Crime Act case.

Quentin secures not guilty verdict for client after Communications Act trial.

Successful representations result in no action being taken against Quentin's client.

Quentin secures acquittal at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Shotguns returned to Quentin's client without recourse to costly court proceedings.

Quentin Hunt concludes successful private prosecution in neighbour dispute case.

Barrister Quentin Hunt examines how to remove adverse entries in police records.

Quentin achieves success in regaining a client's premises appeal licence.

Quentin Hunt secures client's acquittal after 5 day trial at Harrow Crown Court.

Quentin Hunt ensures that no further action is taken against his clients in large scale fraud allegation.

Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt examines how applications can be made for the return of property seized by the Police.

Police return shotguns and licences to mother and son following intervention by Specialist Barrister Quentin Hunt

Quentin Hunt achieves success in the Court of Appeal in Serious Crime Prevention Order case.

Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt ensures his client receives a non-custodial sentence in Perverting the Course of Justice case before Harrow Crown Court.

Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the imposition of Banning orders under the Football Spectators Act 1989

Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the offence of Wasting Police Time.

Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the offence of possession of a bladed article and relevant defences.

No further action taken against Quentin Hunt's client following effective pre-charge representation.

Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt analyses the offence of Fraud by Abuse of Position.

Quentin interviewed by national newspaper on matters of driving law.

Criminal Barrister presents a guide to appeals from the Magistrates' Court to the Crown Court.

Quentin achieves acquittal for client in drink driving case which could have had serious repercussions on potential death by dangerous driving charges.

Criminal defence Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the offence of Perjury.

Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt secures acquittal of City worker on drug charges.

Barrister Quentin Hunt examines criminal liability relating to false and misleading statements made by Company Directors.

Quentin Hunt features as leading lawyer in independent guides to the legal profession for 2022.

Leading Barrister Quentin Hunt explores defences available to charges of possession of controlled drugs and possession with intent to supply.

Leading Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the law surrounding the possession of controlled drugs.

Quentin features in The Sun Newspaper giving expert legal opinion.

Leading Criminal Defence Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the available defences to charges relating to extreme and indecent images.

Leading Criminal Defence Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the law relating to extreme and indecent images.

Quentin Hunt features in the Mail on Sunday, giving expert legal opinion.

Quentin achieves not guilty verdict for client in Southampton Crown Court.

Quentin assists client by way of successful pre-court representations to CPS over offensive communications case.

Quentin Hunt acts in Death by Dangerous Driving case before Swansea Crown Court.

Leading Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt explains how to obtain section 82 Environmental Protection Act court orders against noisy or nuisance neighbours.

Mr ZS was accused of stalking, contrary to section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. Quentin achieves acquittal for client.

Mr TP pleaded guilty to an offence of Dangerous Driving contrary to section 2 of the Road Traffic Act 1988...

Mr AE was prosecuted by Ealing Borough Council for breach of a planning enforcement notice under section 172 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1997. He instructed Quentin Hunt, a specialist Planning Enforcement Barrister, to represent his interests...

Quentin was instructed to act on a Direct Public Access basis by Mr AS who had been convicted of drug dealing offences....

BBW Ltd are Jewellers who operate a large-scale business purchasing and selling high value wrist watches. Without warning or notice, they were informed that their bank had frozen their business account.

Quentin drafted and submitted a detailed application on behalf of Mr PL under the ‘Victim’s Right to Review’ scheme...

Quentin Hunt was instructed on a direct public access basis to act on behalf of Mr LK, who was before the Lincoln Crown Court accused of an offence of Perverting the Course of Justice.

Quentin Hunt, instructed by Borneo Martell LLP Solicitors, acted on behalf of the family of Miss KH, a Prison Officer who took her own life while in employment at HMP Bedford.

Quentin Hunt, achieves the timely discharge of a Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 account freezing order put in place by the MHRA over a Company's bank account.

Quentin achieves success for client in Planning Enforcement prosecution.

Quentin Successfully resists Account Freezing Order application by West Midlands Police on behalf of High Net Worth foreign nationals.

Quentin Hunt was instructed to represent a couple in respect of fraud allegations. Following a long history of engagement by Quentin and negotiations and representations the case ended when the Crown Prosecution Service discontinued the case and Not Guilty verdicts entered against both defendants.

Quentin Hunts secures large reduction in sentence in Insolvency Service prosecution after successful appeal.

Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt examines recent changes to the DBS filtering regime and disclosure of convictions and cautions to employers.

Mr GH was an IT worker in the City of London charged by the police with Criminal Damage contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1971. For obvious reasons GH wanted to avoid having a criminal record and therefore selected specialist Direct Access Barrister Quentin Hunt to represent him at Court.

Mr JM attended a political protest at London’s Speaker’s Corner in October 2020. During the protests he was arrested for Criminal Damage and two charges of assaulting a Police Officer. He was subsequently summonsed to Court and faced three separate criminal charges. He instructed Direct Access Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt to look after his interests and secure the best result possible.

Quentin Hunt represented Mrs JC, a professional landlady who appeared before the Crime Courts in respect of a failure to comply with the terms of a planning enforcement notice. In mitigation for Mrs JC Quentin persuaded the Court to pass a sentence of an Absolute Discharge upon Mrs JC. This is the lowest possible sentence that can be passed by a Criminal Court by law and is a sentence which is rarity- Home Office statistics show Absolute Discharges are given in a mere 0.7% of cases. The effect of this sentence is that Mrs JC was categorised as having not been convicted of a criminal offence. This was important for Mrs JC in respect of her applications for finance, her travel and her general character. She was delighted with the sentence passed.

When Milwall defender Mahlon Romeo found himself in need of specialist legal representation in respect of a road traffic matter he chose to instruct Quentin Hunt on a direct public access basis.

Quentin Hunt was instructed by Harper Odell Solicitors to represent their client in respect of a Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) case. The defendant owned rental properties in London and had failed to comply with the terms of a Planning Enforcement Notice issued under s172 of the Town a Country Planning Act 1990. Through detailed negotiations Quentin saved his client over £162,000 from the amount sought by the council.

Quentin wins Appeal to keep City Solicitor on the road- Mr RS is a Litigation Partner in a well know firm of City Solicitors. He had represented himself before the Magistrates Court in respect of two matters of speeding and had been disqualified from driving. RS travelled a lot for his work and needed his driving licence for personal reasons and was looking to appeal his sentence. RS instructed Quentin Hunt, a specialist Criminal Barrister to look after his interests at the Appeal hearing and give him the best chance of success. Quentin was instructed on a Direct Access basis.

Quentin saves FTSE 100 company £400,000 in Health and Safety prosecution. RBUK PLC is a large multinational corporation and is one of the 25 largest companies listed on the London Stock exchange. When one of their group companies were accused of health and safety failings after an accident at one of their manufacturing plants they sought the assistance of Quentin Hunt to act as their counsel for Court proceedings.

Following Quentin’s provision of legal analysis in the ground-breaking Channel 4 Documentary – ‘Diana- the truth behind the interview’ there has been a groundswell of press and public interest in the allegations that Martin Bashir, a BBC journalist used forged documents to secure his famous Panorama interview with Princess Diana in 1995. As a result of significant public interest in this matter, Quentin has been interviewed by a number of national press publications for comment,

Mr xx is a prominent member of a major UK political party. He was subject to a complaint to Police and criminal investigation in respect of a number of unsubstantiated allegations of criminal behaviour. No criminal charges were brought by police against the Politician after Quentin’s assistance.

SP Ltd are a large property management company based in the South East of England; they were accused, as a corporate entity, of a breach of s172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 in respect of failure to provide driver’s information relating to their company fleet of vehicles. The Directors of the company were very concerned about the position as the company had to pass various checks due to their areas of operation and any criminal offence recorded against the company could have seriously affected their operations and ability to effectively tender for contracts. They therefore instructed Quentin Hunt to act for the company on a Direct Access basis.

Leading Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt looks at the 'elements' of the offence of Fraud by False representation under the Fraud Act 2006.

The victim’s right to review scheme can be complicated and daunting; in this article leading Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the VRR scheme and answers questions associated with it.

The variation of a restringing order is a factually and legally complicated area of law. A specialist lawyer in this area will be able to present an application effectively so as to give it the best chance of success. Quentin Hunt is a specialist Criminal Barrister who has over 20 years’ experience dealing with restraining orders; he approaches all cases, big or small, with the same level of professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm. If you find yourself wanting to vary a restraining order you may contact Quentin for a free no obligation conversation about your case.

Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt assists client in Public Order Act 1986 investigation.

Specialist Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the variation of a Restraining Order or discharge of a Restraining Order under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Quentin Hunt, barrister at law achieves success in Fraud Act 2006 prosecution.

In this article Public Order Offences lawyer Quentin Hunt looks at the offence of Violent Disorder and examines what has to be proven by the prosecution and how such cases can be successfully defended.

Criminal defence Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the offence under s4A Public Order Act 1986

Quentin achieves Not Guilty result in case involving failure to comply with notification requirements under s9 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003

In this article Public Order Offences lawyer Quentin Hunt looks at the s4 Public Order Act offence and examines what has to be proven by the prosecution and how such cases can be successfully defended.

Quentin persuades Police and CPS to take no action in Harassment case.

Specialist Planning Enforcement Barrister Quentin Hunt looks at the considerations surrounding applications to withdraw a planning Enforcement Notice.

Specialist Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt examines ‘road rage’ offences, relevant defences and how such cases are best conducted.

Quentin wins Stalking Protection Order case against Metropolitan Police under the Stalking Protection Act 2019

Leading Criminal Defence Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the ingredients of the offence of Misconduct in Public office and undertakes an analysis of the law and relevant authorities.

Barrister Quentin Hunt examines s179 Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and answers questions that are commonly asked in Planning Enforcement Notice cases.

Quentin Hunt, a criminal defence Barrister who specialises in defending trading standards prosecutions, answers commonly asked questions about Trading Standards prosecutions.

Specialist appeals Barrister Quentin Hunt outlines the process and procedure in getting a second opinion advice on appeal.

Public access Barrister Quentin Hunt helps a defendant avoid custody in a serious road traffic case relating to a motorcyclist being rammed off his bike on the M4 motorway.

Leading Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt explores the current Criminal law in respect of Forced Marriage and associated offences.

A sexual assault allegation can have wide ranging ramifications with a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and mandatory registration on the sex offenders register. With this in mind anyone who finds themselves accused of a sexual offence may wish to secure the best representation possible.

If you have a Planning Enforcement or Proceeds of Crime Act case then you need robust and experienced representation to secure you the best result possible. Quentin Hunt is an expert Barrister specialising in these areas, you may contact Quentin for a free, no obligation conversation about your case.

Quentin represented Mr LB, an individual accused of fraud as a director of a green energy company installing solar panels. Mr L was accused of a total of 8 offences relating to financial irregularities within the company and the fraudulent installation of solar panels for the purposes of receiving rebates from the government in respect of the ‘feed in tariff’ system. These included counts under the Fraud Act 2006 alleging fraud by false representation.

When Premier League footballer Christian Benteke found himself in need of specialist legal representation in respect of a number of driving matters he chose to instruct Quentin Hunt on a direct public access basis.

At the conclusion of proceedings the Court agreed with Quentin’s submissions and returned a Not Guilty verdict and an award for costs in his favour. MM was able to return to his life and employment without any criminal record or stain upon his character. If you find yourself accused of a criminal offence and it is vital that you maintain ‘good character’ for your employment, you will need a determined, diligent and hard working lawyer. Quentin Hunt has a reputation as a tenacious Barrister with uncompromising standards who will fight every inch of the way for his clients. If you wish to contact Quentin about an ongoing or potential matter you may do so for a no obligation conversation about your case.

Criminal appeals Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the law and procedure in Criminal case appeals from the Crown Court

Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the offence of False Accounting contrary to section 17 of the Theft Act 1968

Quentin appeared on behalf of Mr FO in the Court of Appeal in respect of a sentence of £90,000 imposed upon a client for breach of 3 planning enforcement notices contrary to s179 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Upon appearance at the Court of Appeal Quentin was successful and the Court granted the appeal and reduced the financial penalty to £60,000, a saving to the client of £30,000.

An examination of the offences and defences to commonly prosecuted offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 by Barrister Quentin Hunt.

The Bribery Act 2010 replaced a complex web of outdated legislation and common law with a single regime of Bribery offences. It is undoubtedly a complex piece of legislation which was unveiled to much fanfare. The Act is undoubtedly tough, one of the more draconian Acts of its sort in the world. This post outlines some issues relating to the key offences, under the Act and looks at how the Act in enforced and how it operates in practice.

Quentin represented Mr RC, a successful trader of prestige and high performance cars in respect of an appeal against a conviction for failure to provide driver’s details contrary to s172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Quentin Hunt, a sexual offences Barrister, examines the elements of the offence of sexual assault and the defences available when a person is charged with such an offence.

Quentin Hunt is a criminal Barrister who is an expert in defending professional and high profile individuals in Road Traffic cases.

Quentin was approached to represent Mr AK and Mr AR, two relatives who owned a rental property in the Borough of Newham. At that stage the two gentlemen had already entered Guilty pleas to failure to comply with a planning enforcement notice contrary to s179 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Quentin represented Miss ND, a chartered accountant who faced an allegation of Careless Driving and failure to stop at the scene of an accident.

Quentin was approached by Mr AS who was before the Harrow Crown Court for sentence in respect of a trading standards prosecution.

Quentin represented Miss DC, who was subject to an investigation by the Information Commissioner’s Office in respect of a breach of section 55 of the Data Protection Act 1988.

Quentin reviews aspects of National Minimum Wage Act 1998 which put into place various sanctions for non compliance with the legislation, the most serious of which is criminal prosecution.

Quentin represented MM, a professional man of previous good character, who was alleged to be at the centre of a large scale conspiracy to defraud relating to the operation of a ‘Boiler Room’ commodities selling operation in the heart of the City of London.

Quentin was briefed to represent Mr HC, an individual who was accused of breaching a planning enforcement notice contrary to s179 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Quentin Hunt appeared before Southwark Crown Court representing a limited company in respect of Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (“POCA”) proceedings for breach of a planning enforcement notice under s179 of the Town and County Planning Act 1990.

Quentin represented Mr TC, an ex-army officer whose shotgun and firearms licences were revoked by the Metropolitan Police following a series of incidents which gave them concern about the holder’s suitability to continue to hold a licence.

Quentin was instructed to appeal a period of driving disqualification imposed upon Mr RK, a Partner at a firm of Solicitors who had been sentenced following a guilty plea to a charge of driving with excess alcohol.

Quentin was briefed by Sanders and co solicitors in respect of the representation of a limited company which was being prosecuted by Brentwood Borough Council prosecution for failure to comply with a planning enforcement notice contrary to s179 Town and Country Planning Act 1990

The UK Government has announced its intention to trial driverless cars on Britain’s roads by the end of 2019. But, says Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt, the question of legislating for the safe use of autonomous vehicles combines legal, philosophical and economic problems in a way that the law has not had to deal with in living memory.

Quentin has represented individuals who have ranged from master forgers who have created millions of pounds’ worth of forged currencies through to those who have changed dates on official documents for seemingly pointless motives. Find out more about the law in regards to forgery and false instruments.

Quentin was instructed on behalf of a multi-national UK Publically Listed Company to appeal a notice served upon them under s20 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Quentin secures reduction in excessive sentence in Court of Appeal ruling

This week marks the six-month anniversary since the General Data Protection Regulations took effect. Quentin takes a look back over this time to see whats changed.

Quentin explains the complex and often confusing interrelationship of planning enforcement law and criminal law and how it can impact upon any criminal prosecution by Local Planning Authorities (LPAs).

What do you do if I have been served with a planning enforcement notice? What are the consequences of non compliance with a planning enforcement notice? Quentin reveals all.

Quentin achieves Not Guilty Verdicts in large scale Fraud and Trademark case. As a result of Quentin's hard work the prosecution made the decision to drop all charges against all of Quentin’s clients.

It is an offence to let a HMO without a licence. If you do so, the Local Housing Authority will have two options. The first will be to impose a civil penalty of up to £30,000 under section 249A of the Housing Act 2004. The other option open to the Local Housing Authority is to pursue a prosecution against you under section 72 of the Housing Act 2004.

If you have entered a plea of Guilty and feel that you were not truly admitting your guilt or that there was a problem in the procedure leading up to the entering of the plea you may have ground to vacate your guilty plea.

Quentin put forward a good defence to the claim by the prosecution leading to the prosecution entering into negotiation with the defence and eventually brokering a settlement on behalf of his client of £141,000, an enormous reduction from the £1.12M initially claimed.

Quentin found himself representing a large limited company with 3,500 employees which was accused of the offence of failure to provide driver’s details under s172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988

Quentin robustly defended his client and conducted vigorous cross examination of the co-defendant highlighting her excess speed, poor driving and inconsistent accounts. The Court heard all the evidence and delivered a verdict of Not Guilty for Quentin’s client and a Guilty verdict in respect of the other driver.

As a professional person, CK could not afford a criminal conviction as it would likely result in her losing her livelihood. As a result of Quentin's intervention, the prosecution took time to review the matter and came to a decision not to continue the prosecution.

Learn how Quentin was able to enter a revised plea with the resulting sentence being that his client was released from custody that day to go home with his family. Both FA and his family were delighted with the result.

Defendants who are otherwise law abiding people get caught out telling stupid lies to the Police and Courts without realising the dire consequences of getting caught.

In the New Test of Dishonesty the defendant can no longer use his own standards or what he understands the standards of society to be as a defence.

To what extent is someone protected over adverse comment that could be said to be free speech? Barrister Quent Hunt gives his views.

The Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO) is a tool designed to help enforcement agencies tackle the longstanding issue of unexplained wealth in the UK. This has been recently highlighted in the media in recent press articles and fictionalised television series such as McMafia.

GDPR comes into effect on 25 May 2018. Test your understanding of your GDPR and Data Protection responsibilities

Section 33 is one of the most prosecuted offences under the of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, it covers all manner of depositing of waste from small scale ‘fly tipping’ to industrial scale waste disposal.

As the black cab rapist John Worboys case continues to navigate the legal system, Quentin takes a look at the way in which significant changes in police and Crown Prosecution Service guidance have had a dramatic impact on the number of recorded cases.

Many Defendants are unaware that an order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 may be made if they are convicted of ‘regulatory’ offences such as those under s179 of the Town and Country Planning Act 2002

As a result of the strong arguments put forward by Quentin at an appeal hearing at Birmingham Crown Court the Police indicated that they were not going to resist the appeal. The appeal was therefore successful.

Persons who are the subject of a SCPO often find the terms of the order too onerous or they may wish to have the terms varied to enable them to fulfil a business or life ambition

Quentin Hunt is an experienced jury advocate who specialises in effective cross examination of witnesses and the tactical deployment of defence evidence at trial.

Following oral submissions by Quentin the appeal was allowed by the Court. The sentence of 24 months imprisonment was reduced by half to one of 12 months. This meant that VP was eligible for release on a home detention curfew tag the week after the hearing in the Court of Appeal.

Quentin analysed their case and discovered that there was a material problem with the procedure that had been followed at the guilty plea hearing in the Magistrates Court. As a result of Quentin’s representation the matter was therefore remitted to the City of Westminster Magistrates Court where the defendants indicated Not Guilty pleas and elected for the matter to be sent to the Southwark Crown Court for trial.

DL had previously been advised that he could expect an immediate custodial sentence of around 15 months. DL and his family were delighted that he managed to avoid an immediate custodial sentence.

Quentin looks at common characteristics between 'boiler room' fraud cases and provides some important insights about the operation of the law in this area