John Crawford

EXPERTISE

John practices in all areas of criminal law and related proceedings. He has experience acting for a range of different bodies in criminal cases ranging from local authorities, government bodies, and also private prosecutors. John joined Chambers in January 2021 having previously practiced in London and the South East.

Crime

John has a busy criminal practice and has been instructed in a broad range of cases for both the defence and prosecution. He has been involved in cases involving vulnerable witnesses and issues relating to insanity and fitness to plea. He has also acted on behalf of clients facing a range of violent, drug related or fraud charges either at trial or for sentencing. John has developed expertise in serious youth court cases, representing youths accused of rape, sexual assault, robbery and fraud.

In addition, John has acted for local authorities in relation to a range of criminal prosecutions concerning housing and planning law and enforcement. This included prosecuting cases in the Crown court and Magistrates Court on their behalf as well as pre-charge advice on cases. John has also used this experience to Defend individuals facing breach of enforcement notice proceedings and other cases brought by local authorities.

John also has experience of dealing with POCA proceedings included contested hearings and applications to vary historic orders. He has also dealt with other post-conviction matters including applications for football banning orders.

John has a broad experience of disclosure matters, he has conducted LLP reviews on behalf of the Police and has also been instructed as a disclosure junior in a large county lines case.

Private Prosecutions

John has experience in conducting the various stages of a private prosecution. He has acted as a disclosure officer to review material to comply with initial, and ongoing, disclosure obligations. As a result, John is aware of the significant burden that disclosure obligations place on a private prosecutor and the importance of ensure the process is carried out effectively.

He has also been instructed in numerous trademark and fraud prosecutions from first appearances through to trials and sentencing hearings. John is comfortable with the legal and practical hurdles that can arise when bringing a private prosecution and presenting the case to the Court. He also has significant experience of costs applications following successful prosecutions, both against Defendants personally and from central funds.

Regulatory

Alongside his Criminal practice, John has been instructed in a number of related regulatory matters. This has included a prosecution on behalf of the Forestry Commission, as well as extensive experience of breach of trademark offences.

John has also been involved in prosecutions on behalf of local authorities for breaches of health and safety at work regulations, HMO conditions and licensing cases. This has included drafting advices for clients' pre-charge as well as representation at hearings.

APPOINTMENTS

Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Grade 3 Prosecutor

PUBLICATIONS

Sentencing & Mental Health 2022

EDUCATION

BPTC: University of Law: Outstanding
BA Law (Cantab): Cambridge: First

AWARDS

Gray’s Inn Reid Scholarship
University of Law Employment Law award (BPTC)
Lamb Building Advanced Criminal Procedure award (BPTC)
Ng Law award (Jesus College Cambridge)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

John is direct access qualified and is able to accept instructions from the public or businesses directly.

John is a door tenant at 5 St Andrew’s Hill where he maintains a practice in extradition law.

Expertise

Clerking team

Liam Gorman

Lead Criminal & Regulatory Clerk

0191 245 9521

Chris Gibbin

Clerk (Middlesbrough)

01642 247 569

Paul McNab

Civil & Criminal Silks' Clerk (Leeds)

0113 3235 955

Alyson Hailes

Criminal & Regulatory Clerk

0191 245 9542

Fiona Bullock

Direct Access Clerk

01642 247 569

Chloe Lau

Criminal Clerk

0191 245 9550

What Others Say
Notable Cases

"Rising Star"

Legal 500 2024
"John has on all occasions been diligent and conscientious, demonstrating an assiduous attention to detail. John is strong technically and applies a very high standard of skill and care to all the cases in which I have instructed him."

Instructing solicitor
"John’s style is very effective and persuasive. He is measured, logical and has a natural instinct to sense the way the case is going."

Instructing solicitor
"I have always been very impressed by Mr Crawford’s knowledge and Court craft as well as his client handling skills. I have had no hesitation in sending him to represent clients who I have known for years in the sure knowledge that they will be skilfully represented and well looked after"

Instructing solicitor
"he has all the qualities that both solicitors and lay clients expect in a modern day barrister"

Instructing solicitor
"John is unflappable and responsive when under pressure either in court or from other parties in litigation"

Instructing solicitor

The case was an application for a declaration of interpretation in respect of s152 of the Extradition Act 2003 which concerned specialty protection for individuals extradition to the UK. It was the first reported case to consider the meaning of s152, and also dealt with jurisdictional points regarding the Court’s ability to make the declaration. The CPS sought to appeal the Divisional Court’s finding and a point of law of public importance was certified however the Supreme Court declined to grant permission and upheld the Divisional Court’s findings that s152 should have the meaning that Mr Beaumont sought. John was led by David Josse KC.

Junior defence counsel in a multi handed 22 week drug conspiracy case concerning supply of class A drugs, predominantly between Newcastle and the North west, but also across the UK. John’s client was acquitted on the substantive drug dealing count he faced but convicted of money laundering. The case involved a substantial amount of expert evidence, surveillance evidence and phone records.

Prosecution junior in a large scale telephone fraud being ultimately managed from India but with middlemen in the UK acting as bankers for money which had been defrauded from numerous elderly vulnerable victims.

Successful private prosecution on behalf of a toll company for breach of byelaws. This was the first prosecution brought in respect of the offence and involved John advising from the case preparation stage through to the summons application and ultimate conviction.

John successfully Defendant an individual accused of managing a cannabis farm which he had been found at by the police. Following a s8 application after late disclosure on the day of trial the prosecution reviewed the case and offered no evidence against John’s client.

Defended an individual charged with sexual offences against a 14yo where the sexual activity was agreed to be “consensual”. The case involved non defendant bad character applications as well as a s41 application.

JP faced a historic POCA order which had over £2m outstanding. Following an application to the High Court to obtain a certificate of inadequacy John was able to reduce the amount of the order down to £500k despite the original benefit figure being over £67m.

John’s client faced an allegation of sexual assault by penetration against a u16 female while she was asleep. The case involved cross examination of 3 child witnesses one of whom also required an intermediary. There were numerous disclosure issues during the trial which ultimately led to all three prosecution witnesses having to be re-called for further cross examination. The case also involved detailed expert evidence, and cross examination, in relation to the medical examination of the complainant and multiple expert reports. OM was acquitted of the charge after a 6 day trial.

Successful prosecution on behalf of a local authority against two individuals who had breached housing legislation in respect of various rental properties they controlled.

John secured three acquittals on an indictment with counts of s18, s20 and s47 after a four day trial arising out of an alleged unprovoked assault at a party, causing substantial facial injuries. Cross examination of the complainant and the OiC led to further disclosure coming to light significantly undermining the Crown’s case. As a result, the Crown offered no evidence on counts 1 and 2 at half time and John’s client was acquitted by the jury on count 3.

Successful prosecution of a Defendant charged with PWITS class A of drugs found at home address despite no supporting telephone evidence.

Successful defence of a client charged with dangerous driving and linked offences. Despite eyewitness evidence from two police officers who claimed to have recognised the client the Defendant was unanimously acquitted.

Led by a silk in an attempted murder with a firearm. There were then further charges as when the client was arrested the police found a hidden cache of weapons at his address. The case ultimately resolved with a plea to a s18, and lesser offences, being accepted and a total sentence of under 7 years.

Defending a client on a bladed article charge who maintained that he had committed a robbery using a pair of glasses rather than a knife, despite CCTV of the incident. John’s client was convicted by a majority after the jury deliberated for 2 days

A private prosecution for fraud against a pub owner who had kept the proceeds of a charity fundraiser for themselves and falsely created a thank you certificate. The Defendant was convicted following trial, having maintained that he had sent the cheque in the post. The case was reported in the local press.

Defending a youth accused of 4 knife point robberies against young complainants. Notwithstanding numerous positive ID parades John’s client was acquitted on two of the four charges and received a non custodial sentence.

Prosecution of a woman who pleaded guilty to offences under the Communications Act involving hundreds of calls to the police over a several years. The cost to the emergency services of responding was over £500,000. The case attracted national press attention.

Representing a client charged with breaching an enforcement notice following building work he had carried out in his own home. Following cross examination of the local council officers a successful application of no case to answer was made.

John’s client was facing an indictment of ABH, harassment and several assaults in a domestic context. Following the serving of an application to dismiss the Crown dropped the ABH from the indictment. After further submissions on the case generally, focusing on flaws in the Crown’s evidence and the Defendant’s mental health a plea to a single common assault was accepted leading to a conditional discharge.

Acting on behalf of a local authority John secured convictions against both Defendants in a case relating to illegally renting a HMO following a multiple day trial in the Magistrates Court.

Prosecution of Defendant facing a charge of affray which took place within a court building. The Defendant was convicted after a 6 day trial including 11 live prosecution witnesses.

A licensing case arising out of an investigation into s18 GBH. Appearing on behalf of the local authority John successfully argued against the premises being allowed to keep their licence in a 2 day hearing.

Youth Court case where the Defendant, an 11y.o boy, faced charges of a rape, attempted rape and sexual assault against a 12y.o boy. D was acquitted on count 1 and convicted on count 2 but received a non-custodial sentence.

John’s client was stopped in a car where he was the only person and a knife was found in the back pocket of the drivers seat. The Defendant argued a lack of knowledge. The case resulted in a hung jury and the prosecution offering no evidence rather than pursue a retrial.