Citadel Chambers

06/02/2026

Case News:

Robert Tolhurst has defended Steve Wright at Old Bailey in relation to offences of murder, kidnapping and attempted kidnapping.

Robert Tolhurst represented Steve Wright before the Central Criminal Court together with Kieran Vaughan KC of 2 Bedford Row, instructed by Sam Lamsdale of Lister Brady Criminal Defence Solicitors in Worcester.

This uniquely complex and high-profile case involved the attempted kidnap of Emily Doherty, aged 22, and the kidnap and murder of Victoria Hall, aged 17 on consecutive nights in September 1999.

Steve Wright never entered the original investigation despite having lived and worked for many years in Felixstowe, having links to key locations in the case and having left the country within weeks of Ms Hall’s murder returning to Felixstowe in early 2000.

Following advances in DNA technology and a cold case review following Mr Wright’s convictions in 2008 of the murders of five women in Ipswich, Suffolk in 2006, for which he was then serving life sentences with whole life orders, the attention of the team investigating the murder of 17-year-old Victoria Hall turned towards him. The investigation was reopened in 2019 following the identification of further suspects.

Mr Wright was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 40 years in respect of the murder of Victoria Hall, 12 years concurrent in respect of the kidnap of Victoria Hall and 9 years concurrent in respect of the attempted kidnap of Emily Doherty

To read the full story on our website: https://citadelchambers.com/robert-tolhurst-defends-steve-wright-at-the-old-bailey-for-sentence-in-relation-to-offences-of-murder-kidnapping-and-attempted-kidnapping/

To read the full story on BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c041255rrg0t

22/01/2026

Case News:

Timothy Hannam K.C. and Daniel White have defended Brett Delaney appearing alongside John McDonald and Johnny McDonald at Worcester Crown Court; all charged with manslaughter and conspiracy to commit fraud.

The case arose from a scheme in which the defendants were said to have targeted vulnerable individuals.

Avoiding police intervention, John McDonald drove himself and all defendants away from officers in a high-speed pursuit lasting 12 minutes and involved the van deliberately ramming the pursuing police car and fatally striking Suzanne Cherry, aged 62, as she was playing golf with her husband.

The case was resolved with John McDonald pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and receiving a sentence of 13 years and 6 months imprisonment. Brett Delaney and Johnny McDonald pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud and will receive 28 months’ imprisonment.

To read the full story please visit our website here:
https://citadelchambers.com/timothy-hannam-k-c-and-daniel-white-defend-in-aston-wood-golf-course-manslaughter/

20/12/2025

Jamie Scott secures four convictions in £4 million to***co conspiracy. 💼

Following a three-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court, Jamie Scott successfully prosecuted four defendants involved in a counterfeit to***co operation run from a converted house in Perry Barr.

The operation processed and distributed hundreds of kilograms of counterfeit to***co across the West Midlands, evading over £4 million in tax liability.

Sentencing to follow.

15/12/2025

Our pupillage webinar is in two days- register before it's too late. 🎙️

Wednesday 17th December at 5:00 p.m.

You'll hear from current pupils, barristers, and KCs sharing insights on life in Chambers, the challenges facing the modern criminal bar, and what we're really looking for in future pupils and tenants.

It's a chance to get an honest perspective before making decisions about your pupillage applications.

Don't miss it. Register here: 2bb4c017-a020-49ce-af70-e53460ddcb00@38ac4f04-c120-4780-b1a8-960ac3f76d73" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/2bb4c017-a020-49ce-af70-e53460ddcb00@38ac4f04-c120-4780-b1a8-960ac3f76d73

11/12/2025

Curious about pupillage at Citadel Chambers? We're hosting a webinar. 🎙️

Wednesday 17th December at 5:00 p.m.

You'll hear from a range of voices- current pupils, barristers, and KCs- sharing insights on life in Chambers, the challenges facing the modern criminal bar, and what we're really looking for in future pupils and tenants.

It's a chance to get an honest perspective before making decisions about your pupillage applications.

Register here: 2bb4c017-a020-49ce-af70-e53460ddcb00@38ac4f04-c120-4780-b1a8-960ac3f76d73" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/2bb4c017-a020-49ce-af70-e53460ddcb00@38ac4f04-c120-4780-b1a8-960ac3f76d73

10/12/2025

Case news📰

At Worcester Crown Court this week, the judge upheld an application by Adam Western to withdraw a r**e case from the jury at the end of the prosecution’s evidence.

The jury subsequently returned a formal acquittal on the judge’s direction.

Adam acted on the instruction of Joanne Davidson-Evans of Murray Brankin Tuckers Solicitors.

Read more here: https://citadelchambers.com/r**e-trial-stopped-following-an-application-by-adam-western/

03/12/2025

Interested in pupillage at Citadel?

We're hosting a webinar to share more about our Chambers and the pupillage experience.

Learn about our culture, our approach to training, and what makes Citadel distinctive.

Open to anyone considering their pupillage options.

Watch out for more details.

20/10/2025

Gurdeep Garcha K.C. defends man for asylum seeker hotel murder

https://citadelchambers.com/gurdeep-garcha-kc-defends-man-on-trial-for-asylum-seeker-hotel-murder/

22/09/2025

Gurdeep Garcha KC’s client cleared of Newtown “Postcode” Gang Murder of 16 year old boy

https://citadelchambers.com/gurdeep-garcha-kcs-client-cleared-of-newtown-postcode-gang-murder-of-16-year-old-boy/

A 34 year old man from Newtown, Birmingham has been acquitted by a jury of murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, following a 4 week

01/09/2025

Have you listened to the Citadel Chambers podcast series?

Check it out on our website -

👉https://citadelchambers.com/podcasts/👈

27/08/2025

Are you interested in joining Citadel Chambers?

- Our people are our greatest asset.
- We believe in each of them as individuals.
- We support them as our members.
- Our clerks are valued and respected.
- We work together as a team

We always have room for both established crime practitioners, and those more recently qualified who are looking for a change, or indeed, to move into criminal practice.

We are often joined by practitioners moving out of London.

To find out more check out our website 👉https://citadelchambers.com/im-interested-in-joining-chambers/👈

19/08/2025

Do you know our History?

Citadel is a direct descendant of one of the oldest sets of Chambers in Birmingham, a set formerly at 77 Colmore Row. That set was mentioned in the Law List in 1909, the first listing of a Chambers outside the London Inns of Court.

For more information "About Us" click here 👉https://citadelchambers.com/about-us/👈