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Graeme Rothwell of Duncan Lewis Solicitors represented Karen Taylor, who had been charged with offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2007 – known more commonly as money laundering.

Her sister Lisa White had claimed a number of benefits from the Royal Borough of Greenwich over six years. She claimed on the basis that she had been unable to work due to ill health. Lisa was ultimately convicted for committing benefit fraud. During the investigation charges were brought against Karen. However, after analysing the evidence against Karen, Graeme refined and promoted her defence. He did this so effectively that the prosecution were undermined to such a degree that eventually the prosecuting Borough offered no evidence against her.

The claim for benefits had been initiated by Lisa when she had been obese; she weighed approximately 27 stone. She had a number of carers, including her sister Karen Taylor, who was paid by care giver Choices and London Borough of Greenwich to assist with her care. Lisa subsequently had surgery, involving the fitting of a gastric band. She lost half of her weight but did not notify the Borough. She then continued to receive benefits. At the same time, she operated two successful cafés and owned a seafront apartment in Broadstairs in Kent. In short, both she and her husband had enjoyed an extravagant lifestyle funded by the taxpayer.

The Royal Borough of Greenwich prosecuted Lisa and her husband for fraud and Karen for having received money from her sister. Karen had not known anything of her sister’s businesses, nor of her improved health the two having gone their separate ways many years before the prosecution was brought.

A prosecution for money laundering could only have succeeded against Karen if the prosecutor proved two things. First, that Lisa White had obtained money from criminal conduct, making that money criminal property. Second, that Karen Taylor had received that criminal property. Third, that Karen had either known or suspected she had received criminal property. A careful analysis of the accounts of both defendants and focused questioning of Karen allowed Graeme to highlight gaps and inconsistencies in the prosecution case. Those gaps showed in the strongest possible way that the prosecutor was unable to prove its allegation. The case was therefore dropped before Karen had been forced to endure the ordeal of a jury trial to establish her innocence.

At Duncan Lewis, we offer a positive, fearless and unwavering service to our clients. If you ever find yourself arrested by the police or prosecuted by either a local authority or the Crown Prosecution Service, contact us. If you’re not guilty, we will work tirelessly to make sure you’re found ‘not guilty’.

Graeme Rothwell joined Duncan Lewis Solicitors in March 2016 as a member of the Action again the Police Department. After many years practicing criminal litigation for a number of years he was motivated to change the direction of his career as a result of the standards of policing he encountered and uncovered whilst conducting trial advocacy in the central London courts. He now assists those who have been affected by police misconduct to ensure both explanation and compensation. He has shielded those in need of his help in the police station, defended and secured acquittals at trial in the Magistrates’ and Crown courts and now also supports complaints against public authorities, bringing litigation against those who have abused their positions of power.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Crime Solicitors are Police station representatives – committed to a significant practice defending clients in serious complex criminal cases they can represent clients from the outset of a criminal investigation. Duncan Lewis' Solicitors regularly advise clients on sentence appeals and have significant experience advising and assisting in confiscation and asset recovery matters. Duncan Lewis also advise on whole life terms and release from prison on compassionate grounds, as well as assisting in preparing applications for appeal and applications to the Criminal Case Review Commission.