Russell is a criminal defence specialist with experience defending in a range of cases including murder, terrorism, serious violence, fraud, and drug supply. He is particularly interested in public order, protest, and terrorism.
He has also represented clients in the parole board and prison adjudications, as well as before the mental health tribunal.
Russell is currently instructed in the Undercover Policing Inquiry.
He is qualified under the ‘public access’ scheme and is able to take instructions in appropriate cases.
Criminal Defence
Overview
Russell is a criminal defence specialist with a particular interest in cases involving protest, public order, and terrorism.
Notable Cases
Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.
R v AZ [2024] Warwick Crown Court
Young man acquitted of attempted murder after being accused of participating in a group attack, following a live music event in Coventry city centre.
R v OK [2024] Central Criminal Court
OK faced a count of violent disorder, following a fight and subsequent group attack outside a London nightclub, which led to a man’s murder.
R v EU [2023] Central Criminal Court
EU was acquitted of perverting the course of justice in connection with the murder of a north London DJ.
Press coverage: BBC News, Sky News
R v YZ [2023] Central criminal court
YZ stood trial for the attempted murder of his estranged wife.
R v AH [2023] Southwark Crown Court
The defendant was attacked by another while sitting in his car. While driving away, he knocked over his assailant and ran over his legs, causing serious injury. He was acquitted of GBH with intent and the lesser alternative.
R v CC [2023] Warwick Crown Court
Defendant charged with others with possession a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. The case involved two incidents of firearms being charged towards two different residential properties containing cannabis factories.
R v EA [2023] Southwark Crown Court
Large-scale fraud of over £1 million involving a small group assisting people to complete fraudulent loan applications, which were submitted to a high street bank. Led by Tom Wainwright.
R v MB [2021] Woolwich crown court
Young defendant charged with murder arising from a vehicle chase and subsequent stabbing. The background to the incident was said to be a territorial drugs dispute. Led by Rajiv Menon KC.
R v KR [2021] Central Criminal Court
KR had accompanied his cousin to a south London estate after an alleged drug deal double-cross. The confrontation ended in a young man’s death and both men stood trial for murder. Led by Rajiv Menon KC
R v TK [2017] Snaresbrook Crown Court
Acquittal of a prominent Ethiopian opposition activist of seven counts of possession of material likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, and one count of attending a place used for terrorist training. Led by Hossein Zahir.
R v JE [2017] Southwark Crown Court
Represented one of a group charged with fraud arising from a multi-million pound land banking ‘boiler room’ fraud. The case received national press and television coverage:
R v RH & others [2017] Kingston Crown Court
Represented a member of a gang who committed a series of burglaries in the south east, attracting media attention, owing to one of the homes belonging to a professional footballer.
R v MC & others [2016] Snaresbrook Crown Court
Seven-week trial of a number of people prosecuted for affray following an eviction of a squat in East London. Hung jury. Crown did not seek retrial.
R v TP [2016] Blackfriars Crown Court
Acquittal of man charged with possession of a bladed article following the police attendance of a domestic disturbance.
R v AS [2015] Luton Crown Court
Trial of defendant charged with robbery and car jacking.
R v GL [2015] Blackfriars Crown Court
Trial of vulnerable client under section charged with robbery with a knife.
R v SA [2015] Snaresbrook Crown Court
Client acquitted of dangerous driving.
R v MA [2015] Inner London Crown Court
Importation of heroin.
R v SK [2014] Oxford Crown Court
Secured a suspended sentence for two counts of making a false statutory declaration for defendant convicted following trial.
R v TC & anor [2014] Hove Trial Centre
Acquittal after a four-day trial for a woman charged with obstructing a drugs search following a police raid on her home.
R v AH [2014] Bristol Crown Court
Acquittal after a five-day trial for a young defendant of Somali-origin, after being accused of a racially-motivated assault.
Protest cases
R v JY [2022] Bristol Crown Court
Acquitted of young protester charged with causing the riot in Bristol city centre following a ‘Kill the Bill’ demonstration in protest against the Government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
R v JG & others [2015] Willesden Magistrates’ Court
Represented a group of activists tried following direct action protests against the evictions of residents of the Sweets Way estate in Barnet, North London.
R v KM & others [2013] Cardiff Magistrates’ Court
Represented a group of Tamil protesters tried for public order offences following a protest at an international cricket match between Sri Lanka and India.
Contact Russell
Civil Liberties and Human Rights
Overview
Russell is experienced in defending clients exercising their right to protest. He also appears before the parole board and is interested in cases where crime, humans rights and public law meet.
Notable Cases
R v SE, PS, PT [2019] City of London magistrates' court
Represented three people charged with failing to comply with a section 14 condition placed on an assembly. The case concerned the Extinction Rebellion protests in central London in April this year and was reported in the Guardian. Russell is instructed on a number of other cases concerning the same protests.
R v JG & others [2015] Willesden magistrates' court
Represented a group of activists tried following direct action protests against the evictions of residents of the Sweets Way Estate in Barnet, north London.
R v KM & others [2013] Cardiff magistrates' court
Represented a group of Tamil protesters tried for public order offences following a protest at an international cricket match between Sri Lanka and India. The case received local media coverage
