Instructing Allan Compton KC
To instruct Allan or for any further information please contact our clerks.
Clerk: John Grimmer
Telephone: +44 (0)7776 154 664
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Allan Compton QC has a wide-ranging practice embracing all areas of serious crime and regulatory work.
In particular he defends and prosecutes in murder, manslaughter, corporate manslaughter, health and safety offences, other crimes of serious violence, substantial drugs conspiracies and tobacco importations, serious sexual offences fraud and money laundering. He has extensive experience in hijacking, people trafficking cases and large-scale conspiracies to control prostitution.
Recent examples include:
In recent years Allan has acted in major drugs and money laundering conspiracies many of which have involved global networks importing many tonnes of controlled drugs and manufacturing equipment into the United Kingdom.
He has also defended in a series of high profile cases involving young defendants, often charged with murder, rape and other serious sexual offences. In addition he has extensive experience in ‘baby shaking’ cases, and other allegations of parents or carers inflicting fatal or significant injuries on children.
Allan is also regularly instructed in non-legally aided cases and ensures that a dedicated and bespoke service is provided from the early stages of case. He has acted for many clients requesting a discreet and effective service including premiership footballers and managers, members of the legal profession and bankers and accountants.
Allan is qualified to accept instructions on a direct access basis.
Over the last 20 years he has acted regularly in regulatory and disciplinary proceedings, in particular the Police Disciplinary Tribunal and Police Appeal Tribunal.
Mr Compton has appeared for both prosecution and defence in the Administrative Court, Court of Appeal, House of Lords and Supreme Court.
He is regularly instructed by the Registrar of Criminal Appeals to act in cases in which he did not appear at first instance including facing appeals against unduly lenient sentences instituted by the Attorney General.
In addition to acting for defendants in appeals against conviction and/or sentence Mr Compton has acted for both defence, the Crown Prosecution Service and Local Authorities in judicial review proceedings and appeals by way of case stated.
R v Geary & Others [2012] EWCA 1540
Successful appeal against a sentence of nine years imprisonment imposed for attempted robbery, on a defendant only recently released from serving a 14 year sentence for serious sexual offences.
Attorney General's Reference No.9 & 10 of 2011 [EWCA Crim 1953]
An application prosecuted by the Solicitor General, Edward Garnier QC for the Court to increase the sentence of 21 years imprisonment imposed for a series of rapes and people trafficking offences committed by the defendant, a Romanian national.
R v Harwich Justices Ex Parte Meredith [2006] EWHC 3336
Judicial review concerning the admission of evidence under s116 Criminal Justice Act 2003.
DPP v Sheldrake [2005] 1 AC 264
Junior counsel for the respondent in the House of Lords Appeal concerning reverse burdens of proof.
R v Wood [2002] JPL 219
Guideline case concerning the statutory defence to prosecutions for breach of enforcement notices under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
R v Basildon Crown Court Ex Parte Cooper LTL 16/2/2000
Acting for the Crown in judicial review concerning the procedure to be employed when the defendant asserted her guilty plea was equivocal.
McDermott v DPP [1997] RTR 474
Leading authority on the definition of failing to stop.
R v Seed 2 Cr.App.R. (S) 69
One of the leading authorities concerning the approach sentencing Judges should take in the light of prison overcrowding and more effective fines enforcement.
Mr Compton has extensive experience in confiscation proceedings often following substantial drugs, money laundering and/or fraud trials.
He is well versed in drafting s17 Proceeds of Crime Act responses in complex cases as well as drafting subsequent submissions and/or skeleton arguments.
Mr Compton has acted in both the Crown Court and High Court in a number of cases where the prosecution have sought to recover millions of pounds against impecunious defendants, alleging hidden assets and/or tainted gifts.
Mr Compton has particular expertise where the prosecution seek to appoint enforcement receivers to realise assets held by defendants and has acted in a number of cases involving third party interventions where assertions as to proprietary interest in property are made by such parties.
He has also acted in cases where a defendant holds assets in other jurisdictions and argues that realisation of such assets is impossible due to the relevant legislation in those jurisdictions preventing sale or disposal of those assets.
Additionally Mr Compton has acted for defendants in enforcement proceedings, in the Magistrates’ Courts, where defendants face substantial terms of imprisonment as a consequence of failure to comply with confiscation orders.
R v Howard Allen
Acting for a defendant in confiscation proceedings in the high Court. A prosecution application for the appointment of an enforcement receiver to enforce the sale of five properties owned by the defendant following his conviction for a multi-million pound VAT fraud was successfully resisted during a two day hearing in the High Court.
R v John White & Others
Acting for a defendant who following his conviction for his part in a major drugs conspiracy was the subject of confiscation proceedings in which the prosecution alleged a benefit of £63million and substantial hidden assets. Ultimately the Court approved a confiscation figure of £13,000.
R v Barry Goodhead
Acting for a businessman who had been convicted of offences arising out the counterfeiting of photocopying cartridges on a massive scale. It was agreed that profits were in excess of £4million and that the defendant had invested in property in the Caribbean. The prosecution alleged that this property was worth in excess of £1million. It was successfully argued that such were the provisions of the contract, coupled with the relevant laws applicable to the island of St Kitts that the property was, in reality, worthless and could never be realised. The Court eventually approved a figure of £30,000.
R v WG
Acting for a businessman released after serving 7 years of a fourteen year sentence for his involvement in a drugs conspiracy. Having not acted in the original confiscation proceedings in which a figure representing hidden assets in excess of £800,000 was agreed the enforcement court was persuaded not to activate the 7 year default period and instead allow the defendant substantial time to re-establish his businesses and pay of the outstanding sum.
R v Jabar Hussein
Leading counsel instructed for the applicant in a four day asset forfeiture trial at Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court following the seizure of vast quantities of cash from the applicant’s home address.
Throughout his career Mr Compton has acted in cases involving allegations of the utmost gravity and complexity including allegations involving murder, gross negligence manslaughter, hijacking, huge international drugs conspiracies, kidnapping of high profile victims, cases involving the infliction of savage and extensive violence and those involving serious assaults on babies, young children and vulnerable victims.
In recent years he has acted in a number of cases involving complex scientific evidence, particularly where there are allegations of ‘baby shaking’, and has considerable experience of the cross-examination of experts, whether it be neurologists or in other fields such as DNA and cell-site analysis.
Mr Compton is particularly adept in multi-handed cases where often tactically sensitive and difficult decisions need to be taken as to the nature of the defence advanced and its impact on other defendants in the case.
He has also acted in terrorism cases and numerous allegations of misconduct in public office against serving police officers, often involving unauthorised access to police databases followed by disclosure of sensitive information to journalists or organised crime groups.
The bulk of Mr Compton’s practice comprises of heavyweight defence work. He is frequently instructed in cases of the utmost gravity and complexity ranging from murder and terrorism, hijacking cases through to cases involving serious sexual offences, fraud and health and safety offences. In particular he specialises in cases involving allegations of gross negligence manslaughter.
Mr Compton is also regularly instructed in non-legally aided cases and ensures that a dedicated and bespoke service is provided from the early stages of case. He has acted for many clients requesting a discreet and effective service including premiership footballers and managers, members of the legal profession and bankers and accountants.
In recent years Mr Compton has acted in a number of cases involving the service of hundreds of thousands of pages of evidence and unused material. His ability to marshal the evidence in such complex cases, yet provide simple, clear and effective advice is regarded as exceptional.
Mr Compton is often asked to advise at a very early stage in proceedings, often securing favourable outcomes for potential defendants seeking to avoid prosecution.
Mr Compton has acted, both for the prosecution and defence in a, wide range of environmental enforcement matters.
He has been regularly instructed by Local Authorities to prosecute matters involving pollution, food hygiene, animal welfare, breaches of tree preservation orders. In addition he has represented a number of companies and individuals prosecuted by the Environment Agency and other authorities.
For a number of years, prior to joining 2BR, Mr Compton prosecuted on behalf of both Essex County Council and Basildon District Council, all substantial matters concerning environmental enforcement pursued by those authorities, giving him extensive experience in this area.
Mr Compton has also delivered lectures, on behalf of Chambers, concentrating on the powers of the Environment Agency to investigate and prosecute both individuals and Companies.
R v Sundorne Ltd
Acting for a Waste Management Company alleged to have polluted Welsh mountain streams following unprecedented rainfall in the area.
R v Manoj Patel
Prosecuting a sandwich supplier in food hygiene case involving over 40 counts contrary to the Food Safety Act.
R v James Holford
Defending a farmer alleged to have buried vast amounts of controlled waste on his land.
R v Paul Greenwell
Acting for the most senior employee charged arising from a fatal explosion at Sterecycle Ltd in Rotherham. The defendant was the Operations Director for a waste recycling plant using innovative technology to process waste using pressurised autoclaves. It was alleged that the defendant had pressurised employees to continue operations notwithstanding substantial problems with the technology and equipment. Following repeated submissions as to the breadth of the duties alleged to have been breached the prosecution offered no further evidence against the defendant four weeks into the trial, a week before they closed their case. Sterecycle Ltd were subsequently convicted of corporate manslaughter.
Mr Compton is meticulous in his preparation and advice and has consequentially acted in a number of substantial and complex allegations of fraud.
He is frequently asked to advise pre-charge on behalf of defendants, companies and the Crown Prosecution Service and is known for his discreet and effective advice.
Mr Compton has acted in a wide range of frauds including conspiracies to defraud public institutions and organisations, diversion frauds, confidence frauds and conspiracies to cheat the Inland Revenue.
R v MF
Defending one of 8 defendants alleged to have participated in a complex carbon credit fraud in a nine week trial at Bristol Crown Court. MF was accused of sourcing millions of pounds of carbon credits from Pakistan and other countries before onward supply via a series of trade executions companies to carbon credit brokers who sold them on to members of the public. Defendant did not give evidence and acquitted of all charges.
R v Sophie Mills
Defending a conspiracy to defraud involving the Government’s “Back to Work” scheme. The allegations included the creation of “ghost students” and the falsification of qualifications on an industrial scale.
Re Wave Services Ltd
Advising as to potential criminal charges arising from a complex competition law dispute concerning intellectual property rights to music used in fitness centres across the United Kingdom and Europe.
R v Barry Brooks
Original counsel instructed to defend a man charged with conspiracy to defraud millions of pounds worth of benefits via bogus companies purporting to provide employment for disabled workers.
R v Paul Marshall & Others
Defending in a multi-handed bonded warehouse diversion fraud at Stansted Airport.
R v Barry Goodhead
Defending a businessman charged with fraudulently creating a business counterfeiting photocopying cartridges on a massive scale resulting in profits in excess of £5million.
R v Daljeet Bhajaj & Others
Defending in a multi-handed conspiracy to defraud and handle stolen goods involving the laundering of hundreds of thousands of car parts via e-bay and other trading sites.
R v Sydney Fletcher
Defending in a complex confidence fraud involving 12 victims, all of whom were either frail, elderly or disabled. The defendant stole in excess of £450,00. The nine and a half year sentence was substantially reduced in the Court of Appeal.
R v Stacey Robinson
Defending the principle money launderer in a 13 handed case alleging confidence fraud of 24 elderly and vulnerable victims.
R v Rene Bingelli
Defending a Swiss national (with numerous foreign fraud convictions) charged with the forgery and counterfeit of bankers drafts valued at £1.5million.
R v Brian McInerney
Defending in a multi-handed money laundering conspiracy in which it was alleged over £20million had been diverted through a series of money exchanges across the United Kingdom.
R v Rayner & Rayner
Successfully prosecuting a Ponzi fraud operated by husband and wife defendants in which they secured over £1.7 million of investment from investors based on a purported hedge-betting system with Betfair. The defendants, in fact, invested very little, using the purported investments to subsidise a lavish lifestyle including multiple vehicles, plastic surgery, private school fees and numerous foreign holidays.
R v Asif Ali
Defending in £5million vishing fraud and associated mortgage fraud.
R v Hadji Charambalous
Defending owner of a number of restaurants charged with tax and VAT fraud over a 5 year period.
In recent years Mr Compton has been regularly instructed in cases prosecuted under the Health and Safety at Work Act etc. 1974. In particular he has acted in cases involving fatalities in the workplace culminating in charges including gross negligence manslaughter, corporate manslaughter, breaches of s2 and s3 Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and prosecutions of employees under s7 of the HSW Act.
He has particular experience of representing directors and senior managers of Companies charged either under s7 or s37 of the HSW Act with regard to their personal liabilities for Company failures.
As well as defending Mr Compton has been instructed by a wide range of prosecution authorities, including the CPS, local authorities and the HSE, prosecuting cases ranging from gross negligence manslaughter to breaches of enforcement and improvement notices. Mr. Compton has delivered seminars to leading defence solicitors and to the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism of the Crown Prosecution Service concerning recent developments in the law relating to Gross Negligence Manslaughter.
He also regularly advises companies both pre-charge and pre-inquest as well as acting at Coroners’ inquests where necessary.
R v Deco-pak Ltd
Prosecuting a 10 week corporate manslaughter trial in Bradford Crown Court following the death of an employee, crushed by robotic machinery at the company premises. Company convicted
R v Stanciu and Toppesfield Ltd.
Prosecuting an employee of a sub-contractor and principle contractor. The case concerned the death of a roadworker crushed by a road-sweeper working on a major reconstruction of a roundabout. Stanciu convicted of causing death by careless driving. Toppesfield Ltd convicted of offences contrary to s2 and s3 Health and Safety At Work Act 1972.
R v Devlin and DRSL Ltd.
Prosecuting company and director for offences contrary to Health and Safety at Work Act 1972 and manslaughter following the death of an employee who fell through a roof whilst conducting repair works. Company and director pleaded guilty to health and safety offences.
R v Kamal Bains
Prosecuted defendant for a gross negligence manslaughter and offence under s. 3 Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Bains ran a letting agency and assumed the responsibilities of the landlord in relation to a number of properties in the Huddersfield area. In relation to one property, he failed to comply with Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (England) Regulations 2015 and instal working smoke alarms. As a result of a fire at the property, 2 young children, aged 3 and 2, died. During the trial at Leeds Crown Court, the prosecution called expert evidence which included a full scale reconstruction of the fire. At the conclusion of the prosecution case, Bains pleaded guilty to the HSWA 1974 offence. In sentencing the defendant Males J agreed with the prosecution case that, if Bains had installed smoke alarms, the children’s mother would have had the opportunity to rescue her sons. Bains was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment.
R v Richard Pearson
Mr Compton prosecuted the defendant, the proprietor of SP Fireworks, following a huge explosion and fire at his warehouse in Staffordshire. Following a six week trial, at Stafford Crown Court, Pearson was unanimously convicted of two counts of gross negligence manslaughter and sentenced to ten years imprisonment. An employee of Pearson’s and a customer, were both killed in the explosion, which was caused by a combination of gross overstocking of fireworks and explosives and unsafe working practices instigated at Pearson’s request. He was found to have flouted safety procedures and to have misled Trading Standards Inspectors prior to the explosions. In addition to the two fatalities others were injured and millions of pounds of damage was caused to neighbouring buildings on the Tilcon Avenue Industrial Estate.
R v Paul Greenwell
Acting for the most senior employee charged arising from a fatal explosion at Sterecycle Ltd in Rotherham. The defendant was the Operations Director for a waste recycling plant using innovative technology to process waste using pressurised autoclaves. It was alleged that the defendant had pressurised employees to continue operations notwithstanding substantial problems with the technology and equipment. Following repeated submissions as to the breadth of the duties alleged to have been breached the prosecution offered no further evidence against the defendant four weeks into the trial, a week before they closed their case. Sterecycle Ltd were subsequently convicted of corporate manslaughter.
R v Paul Meakins
Acting for the Company Secretary and most senior employee charged arising from a fatality at Peterborough Raceways Karting Track in Peterborough. Allegations that the defendant bore responsibility for the actions of a rogue employee who operated the track without authorisation leading to the death of a member of public using the Karts, were dropped on the first day of the trial following submissions made by the defence.
R v Alan Turnbull, NEMOC Ltd & Christopher Taylor
Prosecuting three defendants charged following a collapse of steelwork during dismantling works at the Swan Hunter Shipyard on Tyneside. The first defendant was charged with gross negligence manslaughter, the remaining defendants with offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Following a five-week trial all defendants were convicted of all charges they faced.
Re JL
Representing and advising a major car manufacturer in Inquest proceedings following a fatal road traffic accident. Allegations of a fundamental defect in the design of the steering mechanism, which would have led to a world-wide recall of the vehicles if proven, were abandoned after cross-examination of experts instructed on behalf of the driver.
R v Devlin & DRSL Ltd
Prosecuting company and proprietor for fatality caused in refurbishment of a warehouse by a roofing company.
R v Steven Adams & Adams Home Centre Ltd
Prosecuting health and safety offences arising from an oxygen leak at a company specializing in decanting explosive gasses into cylinders. As a consequence of the leak a catastrophic fire developed killing one employee, in part because of the inadequate provision of exits, risk assessments and safety procedures in the event of a fire.
Representing a Company in interlocutory proceedings, charged with offences contrary to the Work at Height Regulations 2005, following a fatal fall during roofing repair works on farm buildings.
Mr Compton has, over the last twenty five years, defended and prosecuted in numerous cases involving allegations of all forms of homicide including murder, attempted murder, incitement and conspiracy to murder, manslaughter and corporate manslaughter.
He has represented defendants in cases involving group attacks (particularly allegations where joint enterprise is in issue), contract killings, parents’ accused of the murder of children and killings of one spouse by another. Mr Compton has extensive experience in cases involving loss of control and diminished responsibility.
In addition he has prosecuted and defended in highly complex gross negligence manslaughter including:
Mr. Compton has delivered seminars to leading defence solicitors and to the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism of the Crown Prosecution Service concerning recent developments in the law relating to Gross Negligence Manslaughter.
In addition in recent years he has acted in a number of high profile cases throughout the country such as R v Blundell (shooting of John Pordage at a petrol station in Chelmsford), R v Edward Redman (the murder of Jay Whiston in Colchester Essex), R v Padmanabha (murder of a disabled baby by her mother) and R v Paul Greenwell (acting for the most senior employee charged in a corporate manslaughter prosecution in Sheffield).
Mr Compton has acted for presenting authorities and defendants in a number of different spheres of professional discipline. He was an accredited case presenter for the Nursing and Midwifery Council and has presented a number of cases involving serious allegations against nurses and other health care professionals, many involving serious overdoses and/or fatalities.
The principle area of Mr Compton’s professional discipline work is in the field of Police Discipline. He has been instructed on behalf of the Police Federation of England and Wales in a wide variety of cases representing police officers facing criminal prosecutions and/or gross misconduct proceedings before a Misconduct Panel.
Mr Compton has defended police officers facing criminal allegations including serious corruption, misconduct in public office (often involving unauthorised disclosure of sensitive information to third parties), assaults, sexual assaults whilst on duty, fraud and dangerous driving both on and off duty. He frequently defends officers of a senior rank in the Magistrates and Crown Courts as well professional discipline proceedings.
Mr Compton also advises in and acts in proceedings before the Police Appeals Tribunal.
Mr Compton has prosecuted the full range of criminal offences including allegations of murder, manslaughter, serious sexual offences and frauds.
Prosecuting authorities in cases of a complex and difficult nature regularly instruct Mr Compton, particularly those involving sensitive disclosure issues. He is especially experienced in preparing and making public interest immunity applications both on an ex parte and inter partes basis.
Mr Compton is consulted by the Crown Prosecution Service to advise on complex and grave cases, often pre-charge, whilst investigations are still on-going. He is also consistently instructed to prosecute cases involving very young defendants alleged to have committed serious sexual offences or crimes of violence against other youths and/or adult victims. Additionally Mr. Compton has delivered seminars to the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism of the Crown Prosecution Service concerning recent developments in the law relating to Gross Negligence Manslaughter.
Additionally Mr Compton has acted in a range of regulatory disciplines including health and safety offences, matters before the Nursing and Midwifery Council, prosecuting on behalf of Trading Standards Departments of Local Authorities and prosecuting enforcement notice cases and firearms appeals in the Crown Court.
Allan both defends in and prosecutes a range of regulatory offences including; health & safety offences, matters in the Nursing & Midwifery Council, trading standards offences, prosecutions by the Environment Agency, enforcement notice cases and firearms appeals in the Crown Court.
Allan regularly acts for police officers, public officials and journalists charged with criminal offences, with particular emphasis on offences of misconduct in public office, often involving the unauthorised disclosure of sensitive information to third parties. He also frequently represents police officers in misconduct proceedings in the police disciplinary tribunals.
Mr Compton has huge experience in defending and prosecuting cases involving serious sexual offences. Prior to taking silk he was an accredited serious sexual offence prosecutor and was regularly instructed by the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit (RASSO) at the Crown Prosecution Service.
In particular Mr Compton is often asked to review cases of historic sexual abuse and advise from a very early stage, often prior to any charges being brought.
In addition to representing adult defendants Mr Compton has also defended and prosecuted many young defendants charged with sexual offences. He is widely respected for his tactful, courteous yet effective cross-examination of complainants and young defendants.
Cases involving the allegation of serious sexual offences regularly involve third party summonses and disclosure applications from bodies other than the CPS, such as Social Services and schools. Mr Compton has extensive experience in preparing and making such applications particularly in cases that are historic in nature.
Mr Compton has been involved in a number of cases alleging the establishment and operation of escort agencies and brothels, often operating on a national scale. In a number of these cases he has successfully applied to stay prosecutions as a consequence of police malpractice or non-disclosure issues. He has also acted in cases in people trafficking cases with both domestic and international dimensions.
R v John Green & Others
Defending in 13 handed allegation of controlling prostitution and facilitating breaches of immigration law via what were alleged to be the two biggest brothels in the United Kingdom. Listed for a four-month trial. The case was stayed following a successful abuse of process argument based on the submission that the local police had encouraged the operation of the brothels as a method of controlling street prostitution.
R v Jason Shelley & Others
Defending a businessman accused of running a network of prostitutes across the United Kingdom via a series of bogus escort agencies. It was alleged he had made in excess of £5million profit. The defence employed an innovative defence securing LSC funding for a defence test purchase operation into the activities of a co-defendant. After two trials the case was stayed as an abuse of process following serious non-disclosure by the prosecution following service, by the defence of the results of the test purchase operation.
R v CT
Successfully defending a 16 year old charged with multiple sexual assaults on a three and a half year old child, being cared for by his mother, a registered child-minder. The case involved cross-examination of a four-year old child. Of the charges he faced, some were discharged following an application to dismiss, others following a submission of no case to answer and the remaining counts resulted in acquittal by a jury.
R v Christopher Bosworth
Prosecuting an Anglican Catholic priest for historic sexual offences committed on patients and mentally unwell individuals, whilst the defendant was a community psychiatric nurse in the 1980’s and early 1990’s.
R v SD
Defending man charged with attempted rape and other serious sexual offences on grandchildren.
R v AD
Defending man charged with a series of rapes of his girlfriend whilst she was asleep.
R v Stuart Mansfield
Defending a businessman accused of controlling prostitution using escort agencies in Essex and Suffolk. He received a suspended sentence.
R v MB
Defending a deputy head teacher charged with sexually assaulting a learning support assistant whilst on a school trip.
R v Sean Bailey
Defending a man charged with multiple rapes and sexual assaults on five victims (some committed whilst on bail).
R v David Howard & Others
Defending in a conspiracy to run a network of brothels in West London.
R v AK
Defending a 19 year old charged with rape of another male in a park in Southend.
R v Nicholas Creane
Defending a male facing multiple rape and sexual assault allegations made by two 12 year old victims.
R v JG
Defending a 16 year old charged with raping an 18 year old girl in Colchester High Street.
R v GH
Defending a youth charged with a number of sexual assaults and rapes from the age of 13 to 16, in a series of trials.
R v RP
Defending a 12 year old boy both in the Crown Court and Court of Appeal, charged with multiple indecent assaults on a series of adult female victims.
R v John Rowland
Prosecuting a defendant charged with historic sexual assaults on his two daughters dating back to the 1960’s and 1970’s.
R v DW
Prosecuting a defendant charged with sexual assault and attempted rape on his 10 year old daughter.
R v DS
Successfully defending a man charged with 18 counts of rape and sexual assault relating to 5 different complainants. The allegations were all historic in nature allegedly committed on young children whilst the defendant himself was a teenager.
R v P
Prosecuting a defendant who committed multiple rapes and indecent assaults on his disabled stepdaughter over a ten-year period, causing her to become pregnant.