Holly maintains a practice that involves both defending and prosecuting serious criminal matters, and private children matters.
Criminal Law
Holly has developed a busy criminal practice defending and prosecuting in a variety of matters including the supply of Class A drugs, serious violence, and sexual offences.
She also has significant experience in regulatory fields having represented Trading Standards and Local Authorities in licensing matters in the Crown Court. She regularly and reliably turns her mind to complex legal argument and is able to conduct significant legal research in novel areas of law.
Holly is building a strong reputation as an effective and persuasive advocate on the Northern Circuit. With a particularly affable nature she is able to relate to lay-clients and professional clients in a genuine and meaningful way, whilst robustly representing their interests in court.
Private Law Children
Holly has a particular focus on private law matters, and has experience in a range of children cases arising from the Children Act 1989 and Family Law Act 1996.
Notable Cases
Operation Horizon – Preston Crown Court – Led Junior for the Crown. 17 defendants, conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in Barrow-in-Furness and Coventry, cumulatively sentenced to over 100 years’ imprisonment.
Operation Mallard – Preston Crown Court – represented one of fourteen defendants charged with Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in Blackpool.
Operation Simplon – Preston Crown Court – Junior alone for the Crown. Encrochat-based prosecution of a defendant involved in the supply of 30kg of cocaine.
R v KR – Court of Appeal – appeal against sentence for the Defence. Submissions described as ‘very attractive” and “succinct”. Dingemans LJ referring to the “excellence” of her submissions. Client subsequently acquitted after 16 months’ imprisonment, and the quashing of a 54 months’ sentence at Carlisle Crown Court.
R v MM – Court of Appeal – successfully appealed a sentence imposed in respect of a s.20 GBH stabbing whereby the defendant was found to be ‘dangerous’. Custodial sentence reduced by eight months and release date brought forward by at least 11 months due to no available finding of ‘dangerousness’ given the length of the new sentence.
R v O – Preston Crown Court – successfully defended one of two men charged with Possession with Intent to Supply Class A and B drugs. Client was found with 1kg of cocaine in his possession when arrested.
R v SD – Preston Crown Court – successfully defended one of two women charged with a joint enterprise s47 assault in Barrow-in-Furness.
R v WP – Carlisle Crown Court – successfully prosecuted woman in ‘Newton’ hearing resulting in 43 months’ imprisonment for PWITS 100kg of Class B drugs.
R v GG – Carlisle Crown Court – successfully made a submission for the jury to be discharged following a jury irregularity which came to light after the Defendant had given evidence.
Interests
- Outside Chambers Holly is usually found on a Lake District fell with her Golden Retriever.
Appointments
CPS Grade 2 – Serious Crime, Specialist Advocate Panel
CPS Grade 2 – General Crime Advocate Panel
Qualifications
LLB Sheffield Hallam (First Class)
BPTC BPP Manchester (Very Competent)
Gray’s Inn scholar:
Prince of Wales
Hebe Plunkett
Ann Felicity Goddard pupillage scholarship
Areas of Expertise
- Criminal Law
- Private Law Children
Areas of Practice
Crime – Private Law Children
