26th March, 2024

Success in the Court of Appeal for Beth Caunce – R v Mbatijua Murise

Beth Caunce appeared in the Court of Appeal and successfully appealed against sentence.

Mr Murise was sentenced in November 2023 to a term of 2 years’ imprisonment. He had earlier entered guilty pleas at first opportunity to two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (heroin and crack cocaine). The starting point after trial taken at first instance was 3 years.

Beth secured permission to appeal and at the hearing in February 2024 saw the sentence quashed and replaced with a term of 20 months’ imprisonment. The Court determined that the starting point of 3 years after trial was wrong in principle and ought to have been reduced to account for the mitigating features. The Court further noted that, whilst the Judge had been appropriately persuaded into the Lesser Role category at first instance, this was correct not for the reasons that the Judge gave, that Mr Murise was 20 and made early admissions, but because of Mr Murise’s limited role, limited financial gain and naivety.



Latest News...

Robert Smith Leads for the Prosecution in Operation Album Resulting in Combined Sentences of Over 76 Years

3rd February, 2025
On Thursday the 30th January 2025, seven defendants were sentenced for their roles in repeated efforts to kidnap, rob and falsely imprison a vulnerable victim for significant volumes of crypto-currency. As well as being tied up and burned, the victim was threatened with a prohibited firearm.

Matthew Snarr secures a damages agreement of £2,650,000.00 settlement sum for a man who suffered a transtibial amputation

30th January, 2025
At a joint settlement meeting in January 2025, Matthew Snarr acted on behalf of a client who suffered a transtibial amputation in a workplace accident.

David Bruce Summarises a Recent Defence Case

27th January, 2025
David Bruce represented the defendant on a recent trial where the Prosecution offered no evidence.