George Skinner

Recent Cases

Crown Court

R v KL & SC (Snaresbrook Crown Court)

Prosecuted a 9-day trial concerning offences of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The trial involved many witnesses for both the Crown and the defence. Both defendants were convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and sentenced to 6 years’ custody each. 

R v BC and Others (Isleworth Crown Court)

Instructed as a lead  junior counsel in a 8 week trial concerning a conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. The defendant was ultimately acquitted of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. 

R v NI (Wood Green Crown Court)

Defended in a trial concerning offences of sending electronic communications with intent to cause distress or anxiety. This offence related to a twitter exchange with a parliamentary candidate and the use of a racial slur, along with a specific emoji. The complainant gave evidence and was cross-examined by George. The jury acquitted the defendant of all offences. 

R v JA (Maidstone Crown Court)

George was instructed to prosecute this case involving allegations of actual bodily harm and controlling and coercive behaviour. The evidence in the case was sensitive and required a tactical and structured approach. The defendant was convicted of controlling and coercive behaviour. 

R v DR and AD (Maidstone Crown Court)

Instructed to represent a defendant in relation to two offences of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. This defendant was someone subject to the mandatory minimum. 

R v AJB & AB (Nightingale Court- originally Snaresbrook Crown Court)

Prosecuted a Crown Court trial at the Nightingale Court in Aldersgate House. The case was against two defendants who were on trial for going equipped for theft. The trial lasted 4 days and resulted in convictions for both defendants. 

R v H (Inner London Crown Court)

Successful in an appeal to the Crown Court for an offence of possession of a bladed article in a public place. This was a case that involved the defendant having possession of the blade as a result of her mental health conditions. After representing the defendant in the Magistrates’ Court, George appealed to the Crown Court and secured an absolute discharge for the defendant. The defendant wrote to the solicitor with the following: ‘Very Impressed. George did an amazing job. Thank you very much.’

R v S (Snaresbrook Crown Court)

Successfully secured a community order to secure a community order in a committal for sentence for an offences of arson, criminal damage, possession of a knife in a public place and making threats.  

R v K  (Woolwich Crown Court)

Secured a conviction for an affray after taking a basis of plea. The case had been listed for a trial but the acceptance of the basis of plea meant that the trial did not need to go ahead and witnesses were able to avoid giving evidence. 

R v F (Croydon Crown Court)

Prosecuted an intricate committal for sentence which involved bringing 5 different cases together for sentence. 

NPS v S (Inner London Crown Court)

Represented the probation service after a breach by a defendant, who had failed to attend appointments as required by his suspended sentence order. 

Magistrates’ Court

R v B (Stratford Magistrates’ Court)

Defendant charged with careless driving, failure to stop and failure to report an incident. 

Defended at trial and acquitted of all charges. 

R v G (Westminster Magistrates’ Court)

Mitigated at a sentencing hearing on behalf of a defendant who was struggling with a drugs addiction and was convicted of three theft charges, along with a going equipped for theft. 

Despite a large number of convictions, George persuaded the court to suspend the custodial sentence and attached Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days to the Order. 

R v C-O (High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court)

Defended and secured an acquittal against charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and engaging in a controlling/coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship. Successfully made a half-time submission of no case to answer on all charges before the Court. 

R v C (Medway Magistrates’ Court)

Secured a conditional discharge for a defendant charged with a series of shoplifting thefts. The defendant was a prevalent shop lifter who had many previous convictions. 

R v S (Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court) 

Secured a suspended sentence for a defendant who was charged with racially aggravated offence and had a long history of convictions. 

R v E (Stratford Magistrates’ Court)

Prosecuted a trial of a defendant charged with using a mobile phone whilst driving. Involved calling the police officer involved to give evidence.  Secured a conviction. 

R v T (Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court)

Prosecuted a case of failing to comply with a community protection notice. The defendant did not attend court and therefore George made a successful application to proceed in the defendant’s absence, followed by a resulting conviction. 

Motoring Cases

R v F (Staines Magistrates’ Court)

George managed to convince the court to disqualify the defendant for the shortest possible time (one day), which meant the court went outside the guidelines. This came as a result of a lot of mitigation and as opposed to the court imposing penalty points which would have resulted in a totting up ban. 

R v B (Oxford Magistrates’ Court)

Presented a special reasons argument for a defendant facing his licence being revoked. The special reasons put forward were that the defendant suffered with a medical emergency. George was able to differentiate from case law which suggested that this was not a special reason and persuaded the court that special reasons can be found. 

R v M-B (Staines Magistrates’ Court)

Successfully presented an exceptional hardship argument for a defendant who would have been unable to take their children and their father to various medical appointments without her licence. 

R v B (Staines Magistrates’ Court)

Presented an exceptional hardship argument on behalf of a defendant facing a totting up ban as a result of a speeding offence. George was able to convince the court that the defendant’s loss of his job would have a large impact on those who rely on the support of the defendant. 

Regulatory Law
George has recently completed the training provided by the Nurse and Midwifery Council and takes instructions in this area of work. He recently appeared for the NMC in two interim order application hearings- securing orders in both cases. 

Achievements

• Neville Laski Award (awarded by Inner Temple) 2022-2023 
• Inner Temple Exhibition Scholarship 2020-2021

Prior to the Bar

Before attending university, George worked for the Crown Prosecution service in Exeter. This was his first real insight into law and gave him the motivation to not only study the subject at university level but to also pursue a legal career. Much of George’s work at the CPS involved preparation of cases for court hearings and managing incoming correspondence from a variety of parties. 

Prior to starting pupillage, George worked at the criminal defence solicitors firm. This gave George the opportunity to prepare materials for cases, meet and take instructions with defendants and also attend court to allow for the smooth running of defence cases.