Recent Cases

Noteable Crime Cases

R v KH and 9 others

Murder: The Loughborough Super Court

Following a 4 ½ month trial involving 10 defendants at the Loughborough Super Court, Alan Kent KC’s client was found not guilty of murder. He was convicted of the lesser offence of Manslaughter.  

The 10 defendants stood trial for what the prosecution alleged was a gang related murder following a series of ‘tit for tat’ incidents. The Prosecution case relied extensively on telephone evidence, CCTV, Ring doorbell footage, DNA, bad character, possession of weapons and drill lyrics.

The victim was killed in Derby on 15 June 2025 following an escalation of violence between groups associated with the Sinfin and Allenton areas. The prosecution described the events as a “war of retribution”, with confrontations occurring in the days prior to the killing.

During the afternoon of 15^th June, a party at a local pub was interrupted by the arrival of two youths who arrived on a Surron electric bike, wore balaclavas and were armed with machetes. The victim and his associates appeared to have been the target of the incident.

Later that evening, seeking retribution, the victim and his associates drove to the area of the Allenton Triangle in Derby where many of the defendants lived. Prosecutors alleged that the defendants spotted them and used a Snapchat group to summon others in what they described as ‘a call to arms’. A group of 7 men armed with Rambo style knives, machetes and swords then travelled on electric bikes and a moped to try to intercept the car in which the victim was travelling.

It was alleged that they boxed the car in using their bikes. The car stalled, its windows were smashed and the victim and another fled on foot but were chased. CCTV captured attackers shouting, “kill him, kill him” and “Kill dat, kill dat”. The victim was caught and was surrounded by 5 of the group who attacked with weapons. He suffered 11 stab wounds and died after staggering away.

Alan’s client was second on the indictment and was alleged to have played a leading role in the attack, including participation in the infliction of injuries.

The trial was held at the Loughborough Super Court and lasted for 20 weeks. One defendant was convicted of murder, 5 of manslaughter. Alan’s client was sentenced to 17 ½ years imprisonment.

Alan led Laura Pitman from Castle Gate Chambers, Nottingham.

Alan and Laura were instructed by Jonathan Greenhill and Barbara Johal at CJH Solicitors in Derby.

Media links:
BBC News
Derby Telegraph

R v IS and 9 others

Murder: Winchester Crown Court

Following a 4 month multi-handed trial involving 10 defendants in Winchester Crown Court, Alan Kent KC’s client was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter. 

The case arose from an incident in Plymouth in 2023 in which Danny Cahalane died following a planned acid attack involving multiple defendants. The victim dealt drugs on behalf of a man known as ‘Frost’ who was alleged to be the head of an Organised Crime Group. Cahalane he fell into debt and owed £120,000 to Frost and the OCG. Following repeated attempts to recover the money, ‘Frost’ set up an attack on Cahalane. Alan’s client was alleged to have driven one of the attackers from London to Plymouth to enable him to carry out the attack.

The jury found Alan’s client NG of Murder and the alternative of Manslaughter.

Alan led Matheos Lefteris from Rose Court Chambers. They were instructed by the crime team at Stuart Miller Solicitors.

Media coverage:
BBC News
Daily Mail
Metro

 

R v OP and 3 others

Murder: Old Bailey

Alan defended OP in a 2 month, multi handed trial at the Old Bailey. OP drove a gunman to the scene of a murder. He was alleged to have collected the gunman from close to his home address before driving him around a local area on a ‘recce’ of the area, looking for the victim. They drove to an address where the gunman changed into a ‘Just Eat’ jacket. OP dropped him at a car park and waited while the gunman retrieved a stolen moped that had been laid up in an alleyway. The gunman rode the moped to a local estate where he shot the victim before dumping the moped and returning to OP’s car.

The Crown relied on extensive cctv evidence, ring doorbell footage, drill lyrics and bad character.

Alan led Salma Lallani from 1 MCB and was instructed by Clint Ambrose from Cambrose Solicitors

 

R v DW and 1 other

Murder: Old Bailey

Alan defended one of three men who chased a rival drug dealer into an alleyway before the group repeatedly stabbed him. One of the alleged attackers fled the country and could not be found. The Crown relied on extensive cctv and telephone evidence.

Alan was instructed by Blackfords LLP

Media:
BBC

R v JR and 4 others

Manchester Crown Court: Encrochat: Conspiracy to Supply Firearms, Ammunition and Class A drugs

Alan represented the first defendant in a 10 week “EncroChat’ trial at Manchester Crown Court. The case featured in a Channel 4 documentary ‘Murder by Text’.

Alan led Gulam Ahmed and was instructed by Salhan and Co in Birmingham

Media:
BBC 

R v DE and 4 others

Arson: Old Bailey

Alan represented the first defendant in the trial. Other defendants pleaded guilty. The defendant deliberately started a fire at a warehouse in Leyton in London that was sending aid and equipment to Ukraine. The defendant was promised money to start the fire and it later transpired that the paymasters were the Wagner Group who it is said were operating on behalf of the Russian State.

Alan led Ed Butler and was instructed by Karamjit Singh of Holborn Law

Media:
Daily Mail
The Sun

R v MHI

Conspiracy to Supply Firearms and Ammunition; Conspiracy to Import Firearms:

Harrow Crown Court sitting at Hendon

Alan’s client was the lead defendant in a case that involved an international conspiracy to import and supply firearms. The defendant and others used ‘Telegram’ and other encrypted platforms to conspire to import component parts of firearms from the USA and Pakistan to build ‘Ghost Glocks’ and other weapons that did not have serial numbers that prevented their identification. Well over a hundred firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition features as part of the conspiracy. The defendant made multiple trips to the USA to source the firearms and ammunition which were delivered in separate packages to addresses in the Midlands and in London.

Alan led Dominic D’Souza and was instructed by Salhan and Co in Birmingham

R v KR

Murder: St Albans Crown Court

Alan’s client was accused of stabbing a rival drug dealer to death. The deceased went to the defendant’s flat, armed with a knife. Once there, he attempted to steal drugs from the defendant. In the course of a struggle, the deceased suffered three stab wounds to his chest and abdomen. The defendant’s case was that he acted in self defence. The jury rejected his defence but convicted him of manslaughter as a lesser alternative to murder.

Alan led Ronnie Bergenthal and was instructed by Natasha McDermott at Carters Solicitors

Media:
BBC

R v KD and 1 other

Murder: Lewes Crown Court

Following a short fight involving a group of people, the defendant drove a car at the group, trapping one under the rear wheel. As he drove away, he crushed the victim under the wheels, killing him instantly.

Alan was instructed by Horsman Solicitors

Media:
BBC

R v DK and 6 others

Murder: Old Bailey 

Second murder acquittal for the same client.

In 2022, Alan represented DK at the Old Bailey when he was accused of stabbing a rival gang member to death. DK admitted the killing but claimed to be acting in self defence. He was found NG of murder and manslaughter.

Following his acquittal, he received numerous threats to his life.

In April 2023, one of DK’s friends was stabbed and injured. Those responsible boasted that they had stabbed DK.

Within an hour or so, DK armed himself with a shotgun and, together with a group of friends, drove around the local area.

They came across a youth on a motorised scooter, slowed their car down and DK shot him in the chest.

DK admitted the killing but said it was an accident. Following a trial that lasted for 2 months, DK was found NG of murder and was convicted of manslaughter.

This was the second time Alan had represented DK on charges of murder, and the second time he was acquitted.

Alan led Alphege Bell and was instructed by Karamjit Singh of Holborn Law

R v RA and others.

Murder: Old Bailey 

 

Alan defended a 17 year old at the Old Bailey who was accused of murdering a rival gang member. The defendant was with a group of friends in West London when they were approached by a larger group of known gang associates. Alan’s client was armed with a large knife which he produced and used to stab one young man to death. He was found NG of murder but was convicted of manslaughter.

Alan led Alphege Bell and was instructed by Vanessa Wiggins of Bark and Co

R v RW-R and 4 others

Coventry Crown Court: Conspiracy to Murder; Murder

Alan represented 18-year-old RWR at Coventry Crown Court in a multi handed murder case. Following a 5-week trial, Alan’s client was the only defendant to be found Not Guilty of Murder

In April 2023, the four defendants, together with others, terrorised a family in Birmingham following a long running dispute that led to tit for tat stabbings and criminal damage. The defendants went to the intended victim’s home on three consecutive nights, armed with machetes, Rambo knives and a gun. They smashed every window at the front and the back of the house on each occasion and on the second occasion, they set fire to cars belonging to the family.

On the day of the murder, the four defendants were driving a stolen car in Birmingham. They were armed with machetes and were wearing face coverings. Upon seeing the intended victim’s car at a KFC drive through, they rammed the car. There followed a car chase during which the defendants repeatedly rammed the victim’s car until they ran it off the road. The intended victim ran from the car, only to be pursued on foot by the defendants. They were armed with machetes and were shouting ‘kill him’. The intended victim got away. However, his 50-year-old father, who had been with him in the car was also chased by some of the gang and he was stabbed in the chest and killed.

The police investigation involved viewing hundreds of hours of CCTV footage and a careful analysis of telephone and cell site evidence.

Alan was instructed by Sinead Preedy of Salhan & Co Solicitors.

R v CE 

Maidstone Crown Court: Murder

Following a 4-week trial at Maidstone Crown Court, Alan Kent KC’s client was found not guilty of murder. The defendant had travelled to Dartford to collect a debt. He was armed with a small flick knife. During a confrontation, the defendant stabbed the deceased in his leg. He ran away but the deceased chased him into an alleyway. The deceased was armed with a ‘Zombie’ knife. During the fight, the deceased was stabbed in the heart.

The case required expert analysis of thousands of pages of telephone evidence and involved expert evidence relating to the interpretation of street / gang slang language.

Alan was instructed by Karamjit Singh of Holborn Law.

R v NT and 6 others 

Murder: Conspiracy to Rob

Following a lengthy trial in Sussex, Alan’s client NT was found Not Guilty of Murder and Manslaughter. NT was amongst a group of 12 men from Essex who travelled at night to Tunbridge Wells to rob a cannabis grow. A residential house was rented by an Albanian OCG which they converted into a cannabis farm. When the defendants arrived, the premises was occupied. A fight broke out and one of the Albanian gang members was stabbed to death.

In total, 3 men were convicted of murder, 4 of manslaughter and the remaining defendants were convicted of Conspiracy to Rob.

Of particular note was that NT had a previous conviction for Manslaughter and was said to be one of the principal organisers of the raid.

Alan was instructed by Isabel Corrigan of Clarke Kiernan solicitors.

R v TB and 2 others

Murder: Old Bailey

Alan defended TB who was 14 years old when he was arrested for Murder.

TB and two older youths were jointly accused of murder. Following an altercation on a bus with the victim, it was alleged that the three defendants armed themselves with a knife, a motorbike chain and a bottle and went looking for the deceased. They were accused of lying in wait behind a parade of shops to attack him. TB was the first to approach the victim and threw a bottle at him. One of his co-defendants swung the chain at the victim and the other defendant stabbed him in the chest.

TB was found Not Guilty of Murder but Guilty of Manslaughter.

The two co-defendants were both convicted of Murder.

Alan was instructed by Lisa Connell of Macauley Smith Solicitors.

 

R v JA and 3 others

Old Bailey: Murder

Alan defended JA who was accused with 3 others of murder and violent disorder in an alleged gang attack.

Following a 4 week trial at the Old Bailey, JA was found Not Guilty of all charges. The other defendants were all convicted of murder.

On 3^rd June 2022, JA was stabbed in the leg. It was believed by at least one defendant that Adnan Saleh was involved in the stabbing. JA was accused of setting up Saleh in revenge by luring him to is death. It was alleged that, together with his co-defendants, he arranged for Saleh to meet them, whereupon he was attacked by a group of others, two of whom were armed with knives.

The planning was alleged to have taken place via telephone and the Crown relied on telephone data. The killing was recorded on good quality CCTV and the defendant’s movements before and after the killing were all important to show association before, and disassociation following, the killing.

All the defendants and the deceased were associated together and with the Lisson Green Men Gang. Each had convictions for violence, drugs and weapons offences, and the Crown sought to rely upon evidence from a ‘Gang’s’ officer. The Crown made an application to adduce evidence of bad character and evidence of gang association.

 

R v SA-B and 7 others

Old Bailey: Murder; Conspiracy to Cause GBH, Robbery:

Alan defended in a multi handed ‘gang’ murder allegation at the Old Bailey. The trial lasted for 3 months. The defendants were accused of taking part in a ‘ride out’ to avenge an earlier stabbing of one of their friends.

A group of 8 youths called a taxi using a ‘drugs line’. When the taxi arrived, the driver was forced out of the car at knifepoint. A zombie knife was held to his throat. His phone was taken and thrown away. Alan’s client then drove the car to three separate addresses. CCTV at the second address showed 8 individuals, armed with machete’s, zombie knives and other weapons outside an address. They did not gain entry, ran back to the vehicles and drove to a third address. CCTV showed all 8 entering the premises. The victim was a 16 year old. He was stabbed to death in front of his mother. The group fled. They were identified by police using cctv, cell site, telephone evidence and social media. The main issue in the case for Alan’s client was intention. He did not give evidence.

Alan’s client was found Not Guilty of Murder, Manslaughter and two counts alleging a conspiracy to cause GBH with intent. He was convicted of a single count of robbery.

Alan was instructed by Clint Ambrose from Cambrose Solicitors.

R v DK and 3 others

Old Bailey: Murder
Represented the 1st defendant in a multi handed gang related murder allegation. The defendants were all associated with a gang from Croydon. Whilst in Streatham they were spotted by two members of a rival gang who were in an Uber on their way to Brixton. They stopped their journey and approached the defendants. The two groups were seen talking before the victim’s associate withdrew a sword that he had hidden in his clothing and attacked the 1st defendant. All defendants and the victim then produced machetes and zombie knives and attacked each other. People on both sides were stabbed. The defendants chased the victim and his associate along the road before the 1st defendant stabbed the victim in the chest. The whole incident was captured on CCTV. The defendant claimed that he acted in self-defence, and we applied to adduce evidence of gang affiliation of the deceased and his associate. Following a 6-week trial, all defendants were found not guilty.

R v CM and 2 others

Maidstone Crown Court: Manslaughter

Alan defended a 15 year old who was accused of manslaughter. Together with 3 other youths, Alan’s client was accused of chasing a man who owed a drug debt. The victim jumped over some fences and disappeared. The following morning his body was found at the bottom of a chalk pit that adjoined the garden of the last fence that he jumped over. The issue was causation. Following legal argument based on an analysis of the used and unused material, the trial judge ruled that there was insufficient evidence for the case to proceed to a jury.

Alan was instructed by Karamjit Singh of Holborn Law.