Notable Cases
Kitty secured the acquittal of a professional footballer and a former teammate charged with rape. (R v T-V 2015). The case attracted high media attention.
Kitty has developed a private client practice in cases of rape, historical sexual offences and cases requiring an expert and sensitive handling of clients and witnesses. She recently secured the acquittal of a professional man charged with rape and of his stepdaughter.
Kitty has spoken on BBC Radio 5 Live as a specialist barrister on rape allegations and appeared on BBC Breakfast Live as a legal commentator/expert.
Private Client
Kitty regularly receives instructions from private clients accused of serious or historical sexual offences. As a result, she regularly succeeds in securing ‘not guilty’ verdicts for clients facing allegations of rape and sexual abuse.
- Defence of a young man with Asperger’s Syndrome charged with penetrative assault of a 3-year-old. Through legal application and argument, the prosecution dropped the charges before trial.
- Defence of retired police officer charged with historic rape of a civilian whilst on duty.
- Defence of insurance company director charged with drunken sexual assault of a work colleague. Kitty secured a conditional discharge.
- Defence of 16-year-old son of a police officer charged with rape. The case was dropped following submissions.
Serious Sexual Offences
Over the past 20 years, Kitty has become one of the most highly rated specialists in cases involving rape and other serious sexual offences,for both defence and prosecution. Instructions include instances of a stranger and familial rape (including at gunpoint or involving extreme violence), as well as recent and non-recent complaints and those of the utmost complexity, sensitivity or public profile. She is experienced with multi-count indictments and multiple complainant and defendant cases.
Kitty has extensive expertise in questioning and dealing with the most vulnerable witnesses and defendants, including those with severe communication difficulties and mental health issues. For example, in one case, she dealt with an autistic complainant who could only communicate through drawing. In addition, she has extensive experience in pre-recorded cross-examination of a vulnerable witness under the section 28 pilot scheme.
Kitty is head of the NE Circuit Questioning of Vulnerable Witness Training Programme (ICCA approved) She was recently selected as one of 6 trainers for the ICCA and delivered advocacy training to lawyers in Sierra Leone. She is a lead advocacy trainer of both recent and established practitioners.
R v JOC – Non-recent complaint. Rape. Appeal points on a presumption of incapacity, whether one can be guilty of attempted rape.
R v P – Status of victim personal statements.
R v W – Successful prosecution of foster carers for sexual abuse of 3 vulnerable children.
R v W – Rape of a female police officer.
R v RD, SD and PD – Familial, historical sexual abuse over four decades involving three generations, including foster children. Guilty verdicts on all 67 charges. Sentences of over 54 years in total.
R v JB – Rape of an elderly lady in her home: Guilty. Life sentence.
R v M and D – Paedophile ring with ten victims involving internet grooming and pornography; convicted with life sentences upheld on appeal.
R v D – Rape by a police officer of a vulnerable woman whilst on duty; convicted and imprisoned.
R v J – Gun-point kidnap and rape of a schoolgirl; convicted with a life sentence.
R v C – Rape and burglary of an elderly lady, involving substantial previous convictions. Convicted with a life sentence.
R v N A – Secured conditional discharge for Leeds businessman charged with sexual assault of a work colleague. No notification requirements.
R v JS – Defence of a student charged with penetrative sexual assault of a 3-year-old boy and secured not-guilty verdicts with a legal challenge to the competence of the victim.
R v JH – 16-year-old boy accused of multiple rapes on girlfriend- acquitted.
R v C – Multiple violent and sexual offences upon a 3-year-old boy involving complex medical evidence.
R v SL – Ex-husband of serving specialist police officer accused of rape of friend – acquitted.
R v C – Not Guilty: Successful defence of former premiership footballer, charged with rape. Unanimous verdicts acquitted the Former Player after a 9-day trial. The jury deliberated for 45 minutes.
R v BZ – Keighley grooming case. 14 defendants.
R v B – Non-recent rape of step-daughter; not guilty.
R v D – Non-recent sexual assault of a child by a businessman of good character; not guilty.
R v L – Mortgage fraud of £1m, with others; plea and community sentence.
R v P – Stranger rape of 15-year-old; not guilty.
R v M – Rape and violence of ex-partner; not guilty.
Serious Crime
R v W, B, F – Drugs conspiracy to supply heroin and production of cannabis.
Fraud and Financial Crime
R v TJ and Others – Controlling prostitution for gain and money laundering; guilty; life sentence.
R v L – Mortgage fraud of £1m, with others; plea and community sentence.
Kitty has successfully represented clients appearing before major hearings at the Court of Criminal Appeal and is often consulted to advise on the merits of an appeal.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Kitty has attracted broad judicial endorsement and has been described as:
“An advocate of great skill and substantial experience with highly developed interpersonal skills and deep and detailed knowledge of applicable law.” – Retired Circuit Judge.
“An advocate of great skill and substantial experience with highly developed interpersonal skills and a deep and detailed knowledge of applicable law.” – Retired Circuit Judge.
“A highly skilled practitioner, able to communicate complex and highly sensitive issues to a jury and court alike with consummate ease”– Senior Circuit Judge.