Robin Shellard

The lead conspirator in a substantial drugs case, prosecuted by Robin Shellard leading Charles Drinnan of 2 Harcourt Buildings, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court to 18 years and 6 months’ imprisonment on the 24^th July 2023. The case concerned the use of sophisticated ‘spoofing’ telephone technology in an attempt to conceal a wholesale commercial drug dealing enterprise involving large quantities of high-purity cocaine, multi kilos of cannabis and large amounts of cash. Following a 4-week trial that included evidence from the leading expert on this complex technology, the lead defendant was unanimously convicted. Two co-conspirators had earlier pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and another was convicted after trial.

R v Liang and Farooka (2023). Leading prosecution Counsel in a £7.5 million fraud involving a company Director of a Chinese takeaway laundering millions of pounds through casinos and injecting them into the business to artificially inflate the company’s profits in order to secure a £7.5 million pound loan from a venture capital firm. The company’s Financial Controller was convicted of an associated VAT fraud following a three week trial.

R v Schofield (2023). Robin Shellard successfully prosecuted Timothy Schofield, the brother of TV presenter Philip Schofield,  who was charged with a number of sexual offences against a child. After a trial at Exeter Crown Court before Mrs Justice Cutts he was convicted on all counts by a jury. In May 2023 Timothy Schofield was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

R v Rahman and others (2022). Six defendants carried out a two-year courier fraud posing as police officers. They set up a call centre and telephoned hundreds of pensioners over the country, convincing them that they had been subject to fraud and convincing them to withdraw large amounts of money and had the money over to bogus police officers.

https://www.glosnews.com/articles/four-islington-men-remanded-as-bogus-cop-courier-scam-investigations-continue

R v Al Rawe and others (2022). Leading prosecuting counsel in five-defendant ‘boiler room’ investment fraud targeting investors in London property. Three Defendants convicted after five week trial.

R v Venna and others (2022). Prosecuted thirteen-defendant conspiracy to supply kilo amounts of cocaine and one of the largest. Cocaine was brought in from London and then sold on to local wholesale distributers. One of the largest drug prosecutions in the southwest.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-56863828

R v G and G (2021). Leading prosecuting counsel of mother and father charged with causing grievous bodily harm to week 6-week-old twin babies. Serious brain injury and broken bones to one child and broken bones to other baby. Case concerned numerous experts in various paediatric disciplines covering ophthalmology and paediatric radiology

R v Benyon and others (2021). Prosecuted seven defendant conspiracy to burgle dwellings and commercial premises over a 9-month period where the gang targeted homes to steal jewellery and watches and the keys to cars which were then used in burglaries on auction houses and jewellers. 42 premises were targeted across the country and items valued at over £500k were taken.

https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2021-12-09/callous-gang-of-burglars-jailed-for-almost-40-years

R v Andy Akokye (2020). Robin Shellard was Junior Counsel in the prosecution of the rapper Andy Akokye, also known as Solo 45, who was convicted after a 3 month trial March 2020 of multiple counts of rape and violence committed against 4 women with whom he was in a relationship. On the 30th July he was sentenced to a 24 year custody with extended sentence.

Operation Nicosia (2020). Robin Shellard as leading counsel secured convictions against a gang of armed robbers following guilty verdicts at the end of a 4-week trial. The gang targeted taxi drivers, supermarkets and betting shops. The case involved the presentation of complex phone evidence alongside identification and DNA evidence.

R v Smith and others (2019). Secured convictions against a gang of five burglars who committed over 50 offences of both dwelling house burglaries and ATM cash point ram raids throughout East Anglia during 2018. In a crime spree investigated by the Flying Squad the gang burgled houses to obtain keys to high powered cars which were then stolen to be used as get away vehicles. The gang would then steal farm machinery and trucks to use in the ram raids. They were sentenced on the 27^th September at Isleworth Crown Court and received periods of imprisonment of up to 14 years.

R v Sysum (2021). Leading prosecuting counsel of defendant accused of rape, assaults and controlling and coercive behaviour against five women. Defendant convicted after three-week trial.

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/manipulative-narcissistic-man-gloucester-raped-6343665

R v B (2019). Successfully defended a teenager charged with multiple sexual offences including rape of child under 10 years.

R v R (2019). Successfully prosecuted a woman charged with multiple sex offences against 13-year-old boy.

Robin has considerable experience appearing before Courts Martial in the UK and Germany and has appeared before the Courts Martial Appeal Tribunal (2016).

“He stands out for his knowledge of firearms licensing.” – Chambers & Partners 2017

Robin has a particular interest in firearms law and was granted leave to appeal against conviction, by the Court of Appeal, in a case involving the importation of blank firing flare launchers that are legal in Europe.

Robin also lectures on firearms legislation and frequently represents gun owners on applications and appeals involving firearms licensing.

He has prosecuted a private prosecution against a police officer for the use of a ‘Taser’ in a police cell against a naked man.

2019. Advised owner of stalking business on appeal against revocation of licences

2019. Advised gun owner after revocation of certificate and licences on prospects of success after breaches of conditions.

Robin defended a prosecution brought by the OFT in the largest case concerning offences contrary to The Consumer Protection Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPUT) (Operation Caber). The case involved a national pyramid promotional scheme where over £20 million was lost. His was the only defendant to be acquitted after two trials each lasting four months.

He carries out a full range of regulatory work such as animal movement regulations; poaching; unsafe practices by retailers such as tattoo shops; and the handling and keeping of explosives. He has prosecuted for Trading Standards and Local Authorities and defended in cases involving trademark infringement and goods sold on E-Bay.

Robin has represented a food processing company, Hamza Poultry Ltd, who were prosecuted for breaches of the Food Hygiene Regulations 2006 and defended the resulting £2m proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) where the prosecution was seeking to show that the failure to obtain the correct food processing licenses made the Company turnover criminal benefit for the purposes of POCA, with a resulting liability for the Director.

R v Randhawa and Others. 2019.  Secured convictions on behalf of Brent Trading Standards against four defendants for fraud and money laundering after a 5-week trial at Harrow Crown Court. The first two defendants were convicted of defrauding elderly pensioners by stating that their roofs needed work when there was little or nothing wrong with their houses. Over £500,000 was obtained from the victims. The money was then paid into various company accounts controlled by the third and fourth defendants before the money was transferred overseas. They were sentenced on the 4^th October 2019 to between two and a half years and six years imprisonment.

He prosecutes on behalf of the Maritime & Coast Guard Agency.

“First-class at obtaining the trust of the jury, he is a friendly and approachable professional so consequently one who is taken notice of.” – Legal 500 Tier 1 2021

“An impressive advocate.” – Chambers and Partners 2021 

“Excellent with clients and always up for a good scrap.” – Chambers and Partners 2020

“An excellent all-round barrister.” – Legal 500 2020

‘Recent work includes historic sexual offences and homicide cases.’ – Legal 500 2019

“He’s very much a jury man and is very persuasive.” – Chambers and Partners 2019

“Robin is really good, a very strong practitioner who does a lot of defence work.” – Chambers & Partners 2018

‘Recommended for multi-defendant fraud and drugs conspiracies.’ – Legal 500 2018

“Robin is really good, a very strong practitioner who does a lot of defence work.” – Chambers and Partners 2017

‘He specialises in sexual offence trials.’ – Legal 500 2017

“Absolutely the consummate gentleman barrister, he’s the complete package.” – Chambers and Partners 2016

“Robin Shellard provides a thorough and detailed service. He oozes charm and ability.” – Chambers and Partners 2015

‘A very strong and charismatic advocate.’ – Legal 500 2015

‘Recommended for his broad prosecution and defence practice.’ – Legal 500 2014

‘Robin Shellard is notable for his ability to charm a jury and a judge.’ – Legal 500 2013