I am experienced in dealing with the full range of criminal defence cases, but specialise in the most serious and complex. The cases I deal with involve serious violence and homicide, sexual offences, drug importations, armed robbery and conspiracy matters.
Much of my work is within the firm’s Serious Fraud Department, defending complex ‘white collar’ crime. This includes matters of conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, asset seizure and confiscation. I advise and represent those subject to investigation and prosecution by such agencies as the SFO, FCA, DBIS and HMRC.
Legal 500 recommended me within their directory and I am grateful to professionals and clients who describe me as “widely respected amongst the legal community“.
I am pleased to be able to offer my clients continuity of representation by acting in both the preparation and presentation of cases. As a Higher Court Advocate and before the Crown Court, I have represented clients on charges which have included possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, inflicting grievous bodily harm and conspiracy matters.
I am tenacious in representation of all my clients working hard to support them throughout the legal process.
Education
College of Law, London, LPC; 1997-1998
University of Westminster, CPE; 1996-1997
University of Birmingham, (B Soc Sci) Sociology and Politics; 1993-1996
Career
Hodge Jones and Allen, Partner – 2010
Higher Court Advocate – 2008
Hodge Jones and Allen, Associate – 2006
Hodge Jones and Allen, Solicitor – 2002
Admitted as Solicitor: 2000
Training Contract, Edward Fail Bradshaw and Waterson: 1998-2000
Client comments
“A trustworthy and ethical company to work with. My case was handled by Ruth Harris and she delivered excellent job. She was very attentive, and responsive as well as analytical and professional throughout the time.”
Notable Cases
R v R and others: Widely reported investigation by Anti-Terrorist Branch alleging conspiracy to defraud.
R v B and others: Conspiracy to Defraud and money laundering case with a central allegation that charities were set up and dishonestly operated.
R v H and others: Conspiracy to Defraud – ‘long firm’ fraud case, largest fraud prosecuted by DBIS.
R V S and another: Instructed advocate on high profile conspiracy to defraud of a publicly funded body.
R V A and others: Multi-handed kidnap, false imprisonment and GBH trial.
R v S: Murder trial.
R v F: Attempted murder, GBH and false imprisonment trial.
On 13th September 2018, amongst much fanfare, the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 received Royal Assent. In two months it will pass into law. Chris Bryant MP, who laid the Private Members Bill, said “all too often attackers get away with little more than a slap on the wrist”. News outlets trailed this new law as the answer. Headlines crowed that prison sentences for those that assault emergency workers would “double”. But is this law quite as dramatic as it seems?
On 22nd February the Sentencing Council published new sentencing guidelines for cases of domestic abuse. The courts will use these guidelines when determining sentences in cases for other offences that involve domestic abuse, such as harassment or assault.
The Paul Blueitt case is a reminder of how encompassing the law related to murder can be. The facts of the case were unusual and brutal. The victim was a shopkeeper who was subjected to what the police described as an "horrendous assault
I am experienced in dealing with the full range of criminal defence cases, but specialise in the most serious and complex. The cases I deal with involve serious violence and homicide, sexual offences, drug importations, armed robbery and conspiracy matters.
