Helen Butcher
Helen has experience defending in serious criminal cases as sole and junior Counsel. She is very competent at handling vulnerable clients and witnesses; expert evidence and protest cases.
Helen also has experience of Refugee, Human Rights and International law. She has worked with Human Rights Watch Refugee Policy Department where she analysed compatibility of domestic legislation with International law. She drafted submissions to the European Court of Human Rights in a case heard before the Grand Chamber concerning the extra territorial application of the ECHR.
She is qualified as an Attorney in New York State and knowledgeable about the American Legal system.
Reported Cases
R. v Rohan Speid, [2005] EWCA Crim 2249. Appeal against sentence following guilty pleas to 11 counts of supplying a controlled drug of class A and one count of possessing crack cocaine with intent to supply. Sentence reduced from 6 to five years.
R. v Ramsey (Marcus Francis), [2003] EWCA Crim 2436. Appeal against sentence of six years imprisonment for two offences of robbery and one of kidnapping reduced to three years.
R. v Laouami (Youcef) [2001] EWCA Crim 1087. Appeal against sentence of two A total years' imprisonment for offences of obtaining property by deception and having a false instrument was reduced to 15 months in view of the Appellants previous good character, plea of guilty and the fact that, contrary to his sentencing comments, there was no evidence on which the Judge could have concluded that the Appellant was engaged in professional fraud.
Notable Cases
R. v Davy 2006. Junior Counsel representing a music teacher accused of 27 counts of attempted rape, gross indecency and indecent assault. Guilty pleas resulting in 13 year sentence.
R. v Adjei 2005. Junior Counsel representing a defendant accused of conspiring to commit multiple armed robberies. Favourable basis of plea negotiated.
R. v Dhaliwal 2005. Junior Counsel for a woman accused of being part of a conspiracy to arrange hundreds false marriages. Successful half time submission at trial.
R. v New 2004. Sole Counsel successfully defending at trial a grandfather accused of sexually assaulting his 5 year old granddaughter.
R. v Arzoni 2004. Sole Counsel representing a female brothel owner accused of controlling prostitutes over a several year period.
R v Threlfall-Searson 2004. Junior Counsel at trial for man accused of internet grooming and raping a 14 year old girl.
R v Hamilton 2002. Junior Counsel for defendant accused of leading role in conspiracy to import class A drugs.
