Simon joined Shelley and Co in September 2012. Primarily defending people prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service and the Police, Simon prides himself on his attention to detail and his hard working attitude both at the police station and in Court. He has been involved in a numerous notable cases and has gained a wealth of experience thanks to his years of training with one of Belfast’s busiest criminal practices.
Notable cases:
R v A (A youth):
(Represented a 14 year old client charged with over a number of allegations of inciting sexual activity over social media. The client had allegedly pressured numerous girls to send indecent images of themselves via Social Media application- ‘SnapChat’. Simon had sole conduct this case from the police station to trial in the Youth Court. The client was acquitted after a two day trial.)
R v K:
(Was part of five man legal team defending a client charged with one hundred and seventy eight counts of fraud and forgery in one of the biggest financial cases in Northern Ireland’s history. The client was alleged to have fraudulently sold properties in Turkey. This case involved taking extensive instructions in relation to hundreds of financial transactions and compiling complex proofs of evidence for counsel.)
R v H (A youth):
(Represented a 17 year old client charged with a serious assault occasioning GBH. The client allegedly worked in joint enterprise with another to assault another youth in their college. The client disputed that he was involved and that he had not been identified correctly. Police had failed to carry out their investigation correctly and Simon successfully persuaded the Youth Court that there was no case to answer.)
R v S:
(Represented a local company and their director when they were charged with numerous counts of fraudulently evading export regulations to Iran. The company had allegedly supplied valves for use in the oil industry contrary to recently introduced export regulations. Simon worked with the Senior Partner Mark Shelley in bargaining with the prosecution and obtaining a result for the clients which meant that they could continue their legitimate business.)
R v F (A youth):
(Represented an 11 year old client charged with a serious assault occasioning GBH. The client allegedly assaulted another youth in a school ground argument which resulted in the complainant sustaining multiple fractures to his shoulder and arm. Simon made successful representations to the Crown Prosecution Service that the matter should be dealt with by way of an out of court disposal. The prosecution was discontinued.)
