Anthony was called to the bar in 2016 and joined chambers shortly afterwards. He had practised as a solicitor in criminal law since 2010, working exclusively in criminal law.

Since joining chambers Anthony has worked hard to build a busy defence practice and is frequently instructed by firms in the North West. He appears before the Crown Court on a daily basis and has extensive experience in a wide range of criminal cases including homicide, large scale drug offences and serious violence.

Anthony is a hardworking advocate who stays involved throughout the case. This includes from the early preparation stage through to the conclusion of the case in Court. Anthony has also appeared in the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division on a number of occasions.

Notable Cases

Homicide

R v W [2024] –  Anthony was instructed as defence junior counsel in a case understood to be the first of its kind tried before a jury. The defendant was charged with manslaughter following the suicide of his former partner. The prosecution alleged a background of domestic abuse legally contributed to the death. The trial that lasted for several weeks and received international press interest, involving complex issues of law on causation. The defendant was convicted of the background offences but acquitted by the jury of the manslaughter offence. Anthony was instructed by Yvonne Siddall of Cobains Solicitors and led by John Jones KC of Exchange Chambers.

R v C & Others [2023] – Anthony was instructed as junior counsel for one of four defendants who all faced a charge of Murder. The prosecution had alleged all four defendants were guilty of murdering a man following the theft of large quantities of drugs on the Fylde Coast. His client was one of two acquitted of the more serious charge of murder but convicted of manslaughter. The two remaining defendants were both convicted of murder.

Drugs

R v H [2019] – Operation Spoonbill.  Anthony was instructed to defend in a multi-defendant trial that lasted two months at Teeside Crown Court.  The case involved a nationwide conspiracy to supply cocaine valued at over £10million.  The case was reported in the national press due to the quantity of drugs involved and the method of importation into the UK via helicopter.  The defendant was one of three acquitted by the jury.

R v B [2022] – Operation Heathway.  Instructed to represent a female defendant accused of involvement in a large scale conspiracy to supply cocaine.

R v C [2023] – Operation Columbia.  Anthony was instructed to represent a defendant in a multi-handed drug conspiracy on the Fylde Coast.  The case involved the supply of large quantities of Class A drugs.  The case involved the detailed consideration of telephone evidence, including reviewing cell site and text message evidence.  The defendant was acquitted following the prosecution agreeing to offer no evidence on the first day of the trial.

R v G [2024] – Operation Asgard.  Anthony was instructed to represent a defendant in case involving over 20 defendants.  The case involved the large scale supply of cocaine in Blackpool and the surrounding area.  He was able to agree with the prosecution a plea to less serious offences that resulted in a suspended term of imprisonment being imposed.

R v M [2025] – Operation Lego.  Instructed to represent a lead defendant in a case involving conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to import cannabis from America.

Violence

R v H [2017] – Anthony represented one of four defendants during a six week trial at Preston Crown Court for conspiracy to commit kidnap and blackmail.  The case involved expert cell site analysis and the review of significant quantities of mobile telephone data.

R v R [2018] – Anthony was instructed to represent one of two defendants charged with the attempted possession of a firearm.  The case related to the importation of a Glock handgun and ammunition from America via the dark web.  The package was intercepted in transit and a sting operation put in place.  The defendant pleaded guilty to assisting or encouraging the commission of an offence.

R v M [2024] – Instructed to represent a defendant charged with wounding with intent following a stabbing that caused life threatening injuries.  The incident occurred during the course of a drug deal gone wrong.

R v F [2025] – Instructed to represent defendant charged with attempted murder.  Successful discussions with the prosecution that led to a plea to wounding with intent being accepted in place of the attempted murder charge.

General Crime

R v L [2019] – Anthony was instructed to represent the driver of a vehicle who was involved in a fatal road traffic accident.  The defendant failed to stop at the scene of the accident and was subsequently charged with perverting the course of public justice relating to events following the accident.   The jury were not able to reach a verdict at either the original trial or the re-trial.  The prosecution thereafter offered no evidence.

R v M [2024] – Anthony represented a female defendant charged with sexual assault upon two prison inmates.  The case attracted substantial media attention throughout.  The jury unanimously acquitted the defendant of all charges she faced following a 5 day trial.

R v L [2024] – Represented a defendant in a multi-handed trial that lasted several weeks at Leicester Crown Court.  The case involved the theft of significant quantities of cash following the organised targeting of ATM machines around the country.  The jury could not reach a decision in respect of his client and the prosecution thereafter offered no evidence.

Areas of Expertise

Criminal Law

Areas of Practice

Crime