Overview
A former Crown Advocate, Maria has over 20 years’ experience in the criminal law, appearing in the youth courts, Crown Court, Court of Appeal and Courts Martial to defend and prosecute those charged with the most serious criminal offending.
Maria is a level 4 prosecutor and a member of the CPS specialist panels for serious sexual offences and fraud. She has extensive experience of prosecuting ‘paper heavy case’ including murders and large scale conspiracies involving fraud, drugs, modern slavery and firearms, both as junior and leading counsel.
As defence counsel, she represents those charged with the most serious offences including attempted murder and rape. She is regularly instructed to represent police officers charged with criminal offences or professional misconduct.
Maria has prosecuted and defended in high profile cases, attracting extensive coverage on mainstream and social media.
She has a strong track record representing female defendants involved in complex conspiracies.
Whether defending or prosecuting, Maria combines a down to earth, good humoured approach with thorough preparation and a pro-active approach.
Maria also specialises in Military Law, representing those appearing before the Courts Martial at Catterick and Bulford.
Criminal
Maria prosecutes and defends serious and complex crime.
She is a level 4 prosecutor and a member of the CPS specialist panels for serious sexual offences and fraud. She has extensive experience of prosecuting murders and large scale conspiracies involving fraud, drugs, modern slavery and firearms, both as junior and leading counsel.
As defence counsel, she represents those charged with the most serious offences including attempted murder and rape. She is regularly instructed to represent police officers charged with criminal offences or professional misconduct.
Maria has prosecuted and defended in high profile cases, attracting extensive coverage on mainstream and social media.
She has a strong track record representing female defendants involved in complex conspiracies.
Whether defending or prosecuting, Maria combines a down to earth, good humoured approach with thorough preparation and a pro-active approach. She is adept at handling paper heavy cases, involving complex accounts, phone records and sequence of events charges.
Maria also specialises in Military Law, representing those appearing before the Courts Martial at Catterick and Bulford.
Notable Cases
MURDER AND SERIOUS VIOLENCE
R v Z 2023 Coventry Crown Court
Murder – fatal shooting. Prosecution junior. Trial involved presentation of complex video sequences and expert evidence relating to the discharge of firearms.
R v M 2021, Birmingham Crown Court
Attempted murder. Defence of client charged with attempted murder, following the stabbing of another prisoner. Case involved successful legal arguments leading to exclusion of evidence of confessions made to others during investigation.
R v Z 2020, Birmingham Crown Court
Murder – armed robbery by gang leading to fatal shooting. Prosecution junior. Prosecution involved extradition of the defendant from Pakistan, fitness to plead issues, analysis of phone data, and cell site evidence. Complex unused material issues relating to involvement of assisting offender.
R v Donaldson 2019, Birmingham Crown Court
Murder – Gang related stabbing. Prosecution junior. Complex forensic analysis of footage from multiple CCTV cameras. Cell site analysis and mobile phone comparison. Defendant convicted of murder. The case was covered on Birmingham Live.
R v IF 2019, Minshull Street Crown Court
Defence of youth charged with robbery with an axe and kidnapping. Defendant received a community order, following successful mitigation.
R v Patrick 2018, Manchester Crown Court
Murder – Unprovoked attack in front of neighbours. Prosecution junior. Defendant convicted of murder after trial. Trial covered by the Manchester Evening News, The Mirror.
Maria was awarded a Certificate of Commendation from Greater Manchester Police for her work on this case.
LARGE SCALE CONSPIRACIES AND FRAUD
Operation Vinci 2026 Burnley Crown Court
Defence of female client, convicted in connection with large scale conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Preparation for sentence involved obtaining school and medical records, showing client’s central role in lives of children with special needs. Judge took ‘exceptional’ course and suspended sentence of imprisonment.
Operation Riverside 2024, Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court
Leading counsel – prosecution of 12 handed multi-million pounds drugs conspiracy
Operation Bryson 2024, Leeds Crown Court
Defence of female client, charged in connection with large scale fraudulent trading. Alleged fraud valued in excess of £5m. Client acquitted at the conclusion of prosecution case following successful legal argument.
R v. Upton and others 2023
Prosecution of six defendants connected to a county lines/modern slavery operation, transporting under age boys from Oldham to Hull to prepare and sell drugs. Successful prosecution involved presentation of cell site evidence and extensive phone data. Evidence of youth and social workers used, following non-cooperation of vulnerable witnesses.
R v Kavanaugh 2020
Successful prosecution of defendant who had defrauded a series of car dealerships. Case involved analysis and presentation of dealership records and bank accounts. Defendant received 15 months’ imprisonment.
R v Chaudry and others 2019, Manchester Crown Court
Large scale multi million pound money laundering conspiracy. Prosecution junior. Case involved analysis and presentation of financial data and phone data. All defendants convicted. The Mirror, Manchester Evening News.
R v C 2019, Stafford Crown Court
Defence of businessman accused of storing stolen cars and running cannabis farm from his business premises. Client acquitted of all charges.
R v Ward and others (Operation Wessex) 2017, Manchester Crown Court
Manslaughter and conspiracy to steal. Prosecution junior. Large scale conspiracy to steal high value motor vehicles. Van owner killed during one of the thefts. Case involved analysis and presentation of large volume of phone and cell site data, and forensic evidence. All defendants convicted. Case received national coverage: BBC, Manchester Evening News, Daily Mail.
R v Akhter and others (Operation Hamilton) 2016, Manchester Crown Court
Conspiracy to defraud. Prosecuting junior. Large scale conspiracy ‘courier fraud’ – gang targeting elderly and vulnerable persons by telephone, persuading them to reveal bank account details. Over 300 victims. Case involved analysis and presentation of large volume of phone data relating to over 50 phones, together with analysis of bank evidence and CCTV footage. All defendants convicted. Case received national coverage. Received coverage on ITV and Manchester Evening News.
HIGH PROFILE CASES
R v. MK 2026, Manchester Crown Court
Prosecution of professional footballer charged with multiple rapes (case on going)
R v Cooper 2025, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court
Prosecution of John Cooper, former Lord Mayor of Stoke, for sex offences against three women. The case involved the presentation and cross examination of experts in the field of ‘sexsomnia’. The case was reported on the BBC, and on Stoke On Trent Live.
R v. D 2023, Chester Crown Court
Successful appeal against the conviction of a pilot, accused of stalking his ex-partner. Prior to his acquittal, his case had been featured on the BBC documentary series ‘Stacy Dooley : Stalkers’.
R v. Aaron Davies aka ‘Bugzy Malone’ 2021, Manchester Crown Court
Prosecution of rap star, following allegation of serious assault. Defendant acquitted on both counts. Trial involved national and international press and social media coverage including BBC
SEXUAL OFFENCES
R v. J 2026 Blackburn Youth Court
Successful defence of 16 year old charged with serious sexual offences. Preparation of case involved detailed examination of police and school records, leading to identification of a history of bullying and false complaints made against the defendant and others.
R v O 2025, Manchester Crown Court
Defence of male charged with serious sexual offences. Client acquitted after trial.
R v Carnochan 2025, Stafford Crown Court
Prosecution of male convicted of rapes and sexual assaults against multiple victims. Defendant conviction after trial. Reported on the BBC and Birmingham Mail.
R v K 2024, Bolton Crown Court
Defence of male charged with serious historic sexual offences. Client acquitted after trial.
R v Moxham 2024, Manchester Crown Court
Prosecution junior in case involving rapes of multiple victims and modern slavery. Reported on the BBC and ITV.
R v Scarratt 2023, Stafford Crown Court
Prosecution of male convicted of violent rape of 12-year-old girl, lured to country park via social media. Defendant convicted after trial and sentenced to life imprisonment. Received coverage on worcesternews.co.uk.
POLICE AND PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE
Police officer M (2025) Manchester Crown Court
Defence of police officer charged with assault of male. Client acquitted after trial.
Police officer C (2025)
Defence of police officer charged with misconduct in public office. Case dismissed following legal argument.
Police officers B and M (2025)
Representation of police officers facing disciplinary proceedings following exchange of social media messages. Appeal pending.
Police officer J (2024), Bolton Crown Court
Defence of officer charged with rape. Client acquitted after trial.
Police officer S (2021)
Representation of police officer charged with gross misconduct following allegations of bullying and racism. Significant number of allegations dismissed or reduced to findings of misconduct. Client received final warning.
Police Officer M (2020)
Successfully argued against dismissal in gross misconduct proceedings, following an officer’s conviction for driving with excess alcohol. Case also involved successful defence in proceedings concerning allegations of domestic violence.
R v T (2019)
Defence of police officer accused of driving whilst three times the prescribed limit. Acquitted after trial.
R v M (2019)
Successful defence of police officer accused of sexual assault.
COURTS MARTIAL
R v. Captain C (2025)
Defence of Army Captain charged with a serious of assaults. Successful argument to dismiss criminal charges. Client convicted of single military offence. No loss of rank.
Reported in The Telegraph and Daily Mail
R v Major D (2023)
Defence of Army Major accused of sexual assaults. Convicted of one count after trial, acquitted of a second count.
National media coverage including The Telegraph and Evening Standard
R v SS (2021)
Defence of church minister serving with the RAF charged with serious sexual offences. Acquitted after trial.
R v S (2019)
Defence of aircraftsman accused of sexual assault. Acquitted after trial.
R v A (2019)
Defence of solider accused of disobeying lawful orders and threatening a senior officer. Acquitted after trial.
SERIOUS MOTORING OFFENCES
R v E 2020, Minshull Street Crown Court
Defence of woman charged with causing the death of a child through careless driving. Case attracted substantial press interest. Defence preparation involved successful application to prohibit publication of client’s address, in addition to instructing experts in connection with post-traumatic stress disorder. Client received a short suspended sentence.
R v T 2019, Liverpool Crown Court
Successful appeal against the conviction of an off duty police officer charged with driving with excess alcohol. He had been found unconscious in a vehicle, four times the prescribed limit for alcohol.
R v K 2019, Mold Crown Court
Defence of RAF member accused with two others of racing high powered cars at speeds of up to 120 mph and uploading footage of driving onto YouTube. Client received a fine following successful mitigation, referring sentencing Judge to Queens Regulations (military law). Case received national media coverage on the BBC, Daily Post, and Shropshire Star.
R v A 2019, Manchester Magistrates Court
Successful defence of motorist, accused of driving whilst three times over the prescribed limit following a car accident. Defence involved legal challenge to police evidence alleging admissions made at the scene.
R v R 2019, Stockport Magistrates Court
Defence of motorist, found to be three times over the prescribed limit following accident, in which young children were in the rear of car. Client received a community order and disqualification following mitigation regarding client’s good character and personal circumstances. Case received national media coverage Daily Mail, Metro, The Mirror.
