Leanne Woodman

During her secondment to HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service, Leanne worked closely with investigators from the early stages of complex tax fraud investigations, providing investigative advice. Her work included analysing potential offences and the sufficiency of evidence against individual and corporate suspects, including issues of knowledge and intent.

She also advised on investigative strategy, search warrants and production orders, disclosure and sensitive intelligence, and issues of proportionality, candour and judicial review. Leanne appeared on applications for search warrants and production orders and advised on subsequent applications for disclosure of warrant material, including the protection of covert material and confidential intelligence.

Her experience extends from early investigative advice through to prosecution in substantial and complex fraud proceedings

Current instructions include:

R v JR – Prosecution counsel in a multi-defendant HMRC prosecution of cheating the public revenue in respect of R&D tax credit and COVID Bounce Back Loan fraud. The case includes the first prosecution of the corporate offence of failing to prevent the criminal facilitation of tax evasion under the Criminal Finances Act 2017.

R v B – Initially instructed during her secondment to HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service to provide early investigative and charging advice in a complex tax fraud investigation involving multiple individuals and corporate entities. Leanne is now instructed to prosecute the case, led by Oliver Willmott

Leanne is instructed by the Ministry of Defence to represent UK Special Forces in an inquiry into alleged unlawful activity in Afghanistan, led by Brian Altman KC and Melanie Cumberland KC.

Leanne has extensive experience prosecuting and defending serious criminal cases, including organised crime, serious violence, sexual offences, drugs offences and associated confiscation proceedings.

She is experienced in cases involving substantial quantities of evidence and complex issues of admissibility, disclosure and criminal procedure. Leanne also has considerable experience representing vulnerable defendants and dealing with vulnerable witnesses, including cases requiring intermediaries and other measures to ensure effective participation.

Notable cases include:

R v S – Defence counsel in large-scale organised dwelling burglary conspiracies involving more than 100 offences and the theft and subsequent disposal of high-value vehicles. The offending resulted in losses exceeding £3 million and was described by the sentencing judge as amongst the most serious of its kind the court had dealt with.

R v A – Defended in a multi-count drugs case involving the supply of Class A, B and C drugs throughout England and Wales. The prosecution contended for a leading role and an 8½-year starting point. Following mitigation addressing role, previous good character, addiction, ADHD and rehabilitation, the court imposed a total sentence of four years’ imprisonment.

R v O – Defence counsel in a complex multi-complainant sexual offences case involving significant disclosure and bad character issues. Detailed defence review identified deficiencies in the disclosure process requiring resolution before trial.

R v F – Defended in proceedings involving a contested application to admit the evidence of an elderly complainant as hearsay, raising issues under the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and PACE.

R v B – Prosecuted allegations of robbery and non-fatal strangulation where the complainant did not provide a formal statement. Successfully argued for the admission of the complainant’s 999 call and body-worn video evidence under the res gestae principle; the defendant subsequently pleaded guilty.

R v P – Defended a vulnerable defendant with significant learning difficulties charged with section 18 grievous bodily harm. Leanne secured intermediary assistance throughout the proceedings. The defendant was acquitted following trial.