Louise McCullough.
What others say:
‘She has a track record of prosecuting sensitive sex cases’ – Crime – Leading Juniors (Legal 500 – 2020)
‘Her real skill lies in handling sensitive cases with defendants with complex needs’ – Crime – Leading Juniors (Legal 500 – 2018)
‘A very able advocate, who is well-prepared, thoughtful and extremely adept at dealing with sensitive cases’ – Crime – Leading Juniors (Legal 500 – 2017)
Practice profile:
Louise is a Senior Junior practising in our Crime and Regulatory Teams.
Ranked as a Leading individual in Crime in the Legal 500 her Criminal work encompasses Murder and Firearms cases to Sexual offending and vulnerable witnesses.
In her Regulatory work she represents Registrants before the GMC, NMC, HCPC and Social Work England.
Louise has vast experience of Children Act work as a sub specialism including cases of NAI.
Louise is a highly experienced Advocacy Teacher invited to teach up and down the country and internationally. Recent invitations include teaching on the Keble course in 2019 and again this year. Internationally she has delivered training at the International Criminal Court in The Hague in 2015 , South Africa in 2016 and 2017, Singapore in 2016, Nairobi in 2019.
Other details
She is a School Governor with experience of Exclusion appeals. Louise volunteered at the London 2012 Olympics and as a Youth mentor. She has Charitable board experience in the youth and re-housing sectors.
Louise is one of the Middle Temple Representatives at the Bar Council and is consequently invited to attend the Inn’s Executive Committee
Louise is qualified to accept instructions from clients through the Direct Access scheme.
Qualifications:
- LL.B (Laws), UCL
- Called to the Bar by the Hon Society of the Middle Temple October 1991
- Elected Bencher 2015
- Diploma in Forensic Medical Science (DipFMS) Worshipful Society of Apothecaries (Dissertation on Doping in Sport) 2011
Professional memberships:
- Criminal Bar Association
- South Eastern Circuit
- Middle Temple
Practice Areas:
Regularly instructed in Serious Criminal cases from Homicide and Firearms to handling sensitive cases involving vulnerable witnesses
Experienced in Fraud, Money Laundering and POCA
GMC work included representing a Doctor before the Fitness to Practice Panel in respect of a misdiagnosis of a placental abruption leading to a still birth. Allowed to continue to practice with Conditions
HCPC work includes representing a paramedic accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague at the ambulance station. Three day contested hearing lead to the allegations being dismissed.
Social Work England case where it is alleged Social Worker did not keep proper records and lied to colleagues. No interim order made.
NMC work including representing Nurses facing a variety of allegations including forging prescriptions, assaulting a patient and failing to undertake proper basic checks with high risk patients.
Notable cases:
[2020] Wood Green Crown Court R.v SS
Instructed by BSB Solicitors. Possession of a Firearm and ammunition with Intent to Endanger Life, Possession of Class A drugs. Allegation that a Prisoner released on Licence part way through a 25 year sentence for a notorious Attempted Murder was in possession of a loaded semi-automatic pistol and “drug dealers kit”. The Defendant’s DNA was on the gun which was wrapped in a cloth inside a man bag inside a “gift bag”. The Defendant’s case was that he had reformed in prison and this was a “set up”. Unanimously acquitted on all counts. Client described her as “Mary Poppins”
[2020] Snaresbrook Crown Court R v. LR
Instructed by Cantaris Locke Solicitors. Allegation of Rape by a teenager on a 13 year old. Complainant gave evidence with the assistance of an Intermediary. Extensive third party records. Sentence of 4 years in light of his age.
[2020] Kingston Crown Court R v. M.O. and Others
Instructed by Blackfords Solicitors. Mitigated in “Operation Laboutin” Large scale conspiracy to supply high quality Class A drugs. Defendant received least sentence of all Defendants despite being arrested in possession of 5 kilos of 80 per cent pure cocaine.
2019 Reading Crown Court R v WA and HN
Instructed by the CPS in a Money laundering case involving bank employees ransacking dormant accounts. Convicted”
2019 Guildford Crown Court R. V PJ
Instructed by Blackfords Solicitors. Finance Manager at at NHS Trust accused of Four Counts of Fraudulently granting contracts totalling £1 Million in breach of the procurement process”
[2019] Nottingham Crown Court R v. RP
Instructed by Paytons Solicitors. Acquitted of Possession of a Firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Received a Judicial commendation for conduct of the defence.
[2019] Croydon Crown Court. R v GJ
Led by Nicholas Rhodes QC. Instructed by MW Solicitors. Defending Allegations of “historic” sexual abuse allegations against the former Manager of children’s homes. Investigation arose out of “Operation Yewtree”. Acquitted
[2018] Preston Crown Court
R v Nguyen and Others. Instructed by EBR Attridge Solicitors. Serious Organised Crimd “Operation Renard”. Defending in Conspiracy to Cultivate cannabis and money laundering. Acquitted of money laundering . Successfully mitigated on. Basis of “significant role” after Crown alleged “leading role” in the trial. Co- defendants unsuccessfully ran modern day slavery defences.
[2018] Wood Green Crown Court. R v. Mire
Successfully prosecuted an Uber driver of three separate sexual assaults on lone female passengers. Sentenced to 2 years imprisonment.
[2018] Snaresbrook Crown Court. R v. LK
Section 18 wounding (knife wound to the abdomen) of his wife days after being released from prison from an earlier assault on her. She was a reluctant witness but much of her account was caught on Body worn footage. Sentence of 6 years.
[2018] Southwark Crown Court. R v. WC
Breach of trust theft from Selfridges by employee. Successfully mitigated post-conviction for a Suspended sentence
[2018] Bristol Crown Court. R v. AM
June-July 2018 instructed by JD Spicer ZEB “Operation Shine” allegation of money laundering arising out of the disposal of reward monies from the recovery of artwork from the burglary of the Bulmer Cider Family home in Somerset in 2008. Successful submission of No Case to Answer upheld on appeal by the Crown of the Terminatory ruling to the Court of Appeal in November 2018. Case Su’ sequently dropped against all remaining Defendants. Case had national press coverage.
[2018] Bournemouth Crown Court. R v. CA
Instructed by EBR Attridge “County lines” Class A drug supply. Defendant had complex medical needs not easily managed in custody.
Reading Crown Court. R v. ET
May 2018 Instructed by MW Solicitors. Represented a teenager of good character jointly charged on a Section 18 Wounding arising out of violent disorder at the 2016 Epsom Derby.Convicted of Section 20 post trial. Defendant received a Suspended sentence enabling him to continue his University studies.
Lewes Crown Court. R v. KH. April 2018
Instructed by Thompson Solicitors Allegation of sexual activity by a Care worker with a patient. Cross examination of the main witness lead the Crown to review and offer no evidence .
[2018] St Albans Crown Court. R v. PB
Instructed by Paul Martin Solicitors. Rape of a child under 13. Complainant was deemed vulnerable and had the assistance of an Intermediary. Pre- vetted questions in cross-examination, careful witness Handling. Disclosure issues lead to case being aborted and re-tried. Telephone data and social media evidence crucial in this case.
[2018] Harrow Crown Court. R v. WA
Instructed by Saunders Solicitors. Allegations of “historic” familial sex abuse. Extensive Social Services and Education 3rd Party Material. Acquitted on most serious charges and “hung” jury on remaining counts.
[2017] Cambridge Crown Court R v. PE
Instructed by Duncan Lewis Solicitors. Allegations of grooming and sexual assault by a football coach on his teenage protégée
[2016] – Wolverhampton Crown Court
Instructed by Moss and Co. Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Crown offered No Evidence on the third day of the trial. Client pleaded to a lesser offence and was freed from custody immediately.
[2016] – Snaresbrook Crown Court. R. V M
Instructed by Hanson Woods. Section 18 and Robbery on the Defendant’s former partner. Use of a hammer in excessive force in self defence. Acquitted of the Robbery but hung jury on section 18. Case eventually resolved by way of a Guilty plea to section 20 on an excessive self-defence basis
[2016] Blackfriars Crown Court
Representing a religious studies tutor accused of sexually touching his under age pupils. Leading Brian Kennedy of Tuckers Solicitors.
[2015] – Blackfriars Crown Court
Representing a Defendant on three separate counts of voyeurism (the Defence being one of consent). Defence Counsel’s conduct of the case leading to a Judge’s letter of commendation
[2014] – Snaresbrook Crown Court
Instructed by Stephen Fidler and Co representing a Defendant who falsely imprisoned, seriously assaulted and raped his mentally impaired girlfriend. Psychiatric and medico-legal issues in the case.
[2012] Aylesbury Crown Court
Represented a defendant in a two-handed “revenge rape” case. Unusually the Co-defendant was female.
[2012] – Reading Crown Court
Representing a serial sex offender. Defendant had severe mental health issues.
[2009] – Shakilus Townsend “Honeytrap” murder at the Central Criminal Court
Led by Jerome Lynch QC for the First Defendant (Danny Maclean).
[2004] – Worcester Crown Court
Instructed by Goldkorns Solicitors. Conspiracy to import Class A drugs led by David Hatton QC.
Significant Cases (Family)
Re P [2015] EWCA Civ 466
Child arrangements Order on appeal from Exeter Family Court
GMC work included representing a Doctor before the Fitness to Practice Panel in respect of a misdiagnosis of a placental abruption leading to a still birth. Allowed to continue to practice with Conditions
HCPC work includes representing a paramedic accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague at the ambulance station. Three day contested hearing lead to the allegations being dismissed.
Social Work England case where it is alleged Social Worker did not keep proper records and lied to colleagues. No interim order made.
NMC work including representing Nurses facing a variety of allegations including forging prescriptions, assaulting a patient and failing to undertake proper basic checks with high risk patients.
Policies:
Louise McCullough news.
Louise McCullough considers recent arrests for Furlough Fraud
