Crime

As a specialist criminal defence practitioner, I have handled every conceivable type of criminal case you can think of. My extensive experience and expertise in this area of law enables me to offer clients highly specialised and dedicated representation at all levels of the criminal justice system. I have appeared in Courts throughout England and Wales in cases of the highest national profile. I offer outstanding legal knowledge, tactical knowhow, clearly focused and timely advice, robust and effective advocacy.

I offer exceptional experience and ability in the defence of a wide range of criminal cases from straight forward cases in the Magistrates’ Court to serious criminal allegations involving murder, large scale drug trafficking, armed robbery, terrorism, blackmail, kidnapping and false imprisonment.

Over the years I have built up a vast body of knowledge in relation to the use and interpretation of scientific evidence including DNA, facial mapping, firearms residue and cell-site analysis. In addition, I am also an expert in the presentation and analysis of complex medical evidence.

Here is a sample of some of the cases i have recently been involved in:

Operation Ardeonnaig: South London gang machine gun shooting.
Operation Avalanche: Gang related execution over drugs territory.
Operation Landseer: Gang related execution killing.
Operation Baritone: Gang related execution killing.
Operation Movate: Gang related public disorder and attempted murder.
Operation Chapletown: Gang related murder where prosecution offered no evidence against the client after legal argument 8 weeks into the trial.
Operation Poppy: Executions carried out by gangs in Liverpool at war over drugs territory.
Operation Filey: High profile planned murder by a pharmacist of his wife.
R v WC & 3 Others: Murder of a man alleged to have abused young children
R v GW: Causing the death of elderly man during the course of a burglary.
R v LW: High profile murder in Middlesbrough involving gang related execution and drugs.
R v DC: Defending man who strangled his ex-girlfriend to death in a secluded woodland park in Birmingham during sexual intercourse.
R v MH: Murder of vulnerable adult by a gang of youths.
R v SSM & 5 Others: Highest profile honour killing case to date. Successfully defended the only defendant charged with the honour killing of Benaz Mahmod.
R v RR: Defendant charged with gang related murder over a drugs dispute.
R v FK & 8 Others: Gangland shooting over drugs dispute.
R v BS: Attempted Murder of husband.
R v AH, MH & Others: Attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm and violent disorder.
R v DH & Others: drugs related gangland execution.
R v BT: Attempted Murder of her husband.
R v AO: Gang related violent disorder resulting in death of 3 men.
R v RL & Another: Father and son charged with murder of their wife/ mother and perverting the course of public justice.
R v SC: Unprovoked murder of a stranger.
R v G & Others: Multi handed gang murder.
Operation Venetic/Oberon: International drug trafficking.
Operation Vermont: International drug trafficking.
Operation Clubman: International drug trafficking involving cocaine in excess of 200kg.
Operation Jericho: Large scale drug trafficking.
Operation Washington: Large scale conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
R v GH & 18 Others: Large scale conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs.
Operation Frank: Large scale importation and supply of Class A controlled drugs.
Operation Alamos: Large scale importation and supply of Class A controlled drugs.
Operation Penshurst: Large scale importation and supply of Class A controlled drugs.
Operation Ebony/Brisbane: International drug trafficking.
Operation Heptagon: Armed robbery.
Operation Marble: Firearms supply
Operation Iron: Conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, Police corruption and misconduct in public office.
R v AG and Others – Armed robbery of high value items from a distribution centre.
R v MW & 8 Others: Conspiracy to Import and Supply Class A drugs worth £6.6 million.
R v MS & 8 Others: Conspiracy to Supply Class A and Money Laundering.
R v PS & 11 Others: Large-scale conspiracy to facilitate illegal immigration from the UK into Canada.
R v MR & 6 Others: Client alleged to be part of a highly organised crime group facilitating illegal immigration from Bangladesh.
R v IM & 35 Others: Representing one of the main defendants in one of the largest drugs conspiracies prosecuted in the Midlands.
R v DJ & 12 Others: Instructed to represent the defendant charged with evading duty on cigarettes on a substantial scale.
Operation Manifest: Defending in large scale and highly organised drugs conspiracy involving organised crime group in Sheffield and Nottingham supplying drugs to North East of England. Defendant acquitted of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
R v S & 8 Others: Defending one of the lead defendants in a multi-million drug trafficking case involving a sophisticated organised criminal group based in North East England.
R v JW & 8 Others: Representing one of the main defendants in this large scale drugs conspiracy involving millions of pounds of heroin. Defendant acquitted.
R v OO & 15 Others: Representing one of the defendants charged with conspiracy to facilitate sham marriages between British Nationals and nationals of an African origin for significant profit.
Operation Tartrate: Representing one of the defendants charged with evading duty of cigarette importation on a substantial scale.
R v PW & 7 Others: Representing lead defendant charged with conspiracy to facilitate illegal immigration on a large scale.
R v N & 23 Others: Client charged with supply of controlled drugs on commercial scale. Case also linked to a separate but linked murder trial.
R v E & Others: Defence counsel in large-scale conspiracy to import/export class A drugs and money laundering valued at over £80 million. Case stayed as a result of successful abuse of process application.
R v RB & Others: Multiple rape, kidnapping, false imprisonment and assault.
Operation Harehill: High profile CSE case in the North West of England
Operation Span: The highest profile CSE case to date.

Legal 500 2023

“Ashraf combines meticulous preparation with excellent client skills and a particularly persuasive style of advocacy.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

"Has strong knowledge of the law and brings broad, tactical vision to his cases. He is deservedly busy in silk-level work despite being a junior."

Legal 500 2022

“Ashraf’s strengths lie in meticulous attention to detail. He is certainly tipped to take silk in the next few years by many senior members of the Bar.”

“Ashraf is a highly skilled advocate who prepares cases thoroughly and presents a forceful case before the court.”

Chambers and Partners 2022

“He has the ability to quickly instil a degree of courage in his clients.”

Chambers and Partners 2021

"He's exceptionally talented and an extremely able barrister due to his grasp of the law and sensible approach to the jury. He can outshine leading silks on his day."

Chambers and Partners 2020

Highly sought after for his calm and collective approach which is never anything but measured. He is well received by clients, fellow professionals and the judiciary.” “He is meticulous in his preparation and presents his cases well before the court.”

Legal 500 2020

“He is a particularly strong junior in serious crime and fraud. He has dry wit that can wither any hostile witness testimony with ease. He has a huge practice nationally in complex crime. A very safe pair of hands”

Legal 500 2019

Has a great eye for detail”

Legal 500 2018

“Advises on serious financial crime matters. Regularly defends cases of mortgage, tax and investment fraud”

Chambers and Partners 2017:

“Recognised for advising on serious financial crime matters. He regularly defends cases of mortgage, tax and investment fraud ….His written work is particularly good."

Legal 500 2016:

‘His calm persona can cut through complex issues with ease’.

Chambers and Partners 2016:

‘Particularly noted for his expertise in cartel investigations, insider dealing and rate fixing matters. He routinely represents large corporations and individuals’

Legal 500 2015:

‘…often has the prosecution running around in circles’

Chambers and Partners 2015:

Has a nationwide financial crime practice and is regularly instructed to defend in complex fraud cases…….has an A to Z knowledge of fraud work."

Legal 500 2014:

‘An excellent jury advocate’

Chambers and Partners 2014:

‘Has a practice encompassing mortgage, tax and insurance fraud cases.

Legal 500 2013:

mindblowingly experienced'

Chambers and Partners 2013:

praised for his ability to handle cases which combine civil and criminal fraud elements. He has a national fraud profile, and handles mortgage and insurance frauds, money laundering matters and MTIC cases’ 

Chambers and Partners 2012:

‘a diligent professional acclaimed for his fantastic knowledge of his subject’

Chambers and Partners 2011:

'fights really hard for his clients and is very good tactically’

Legal 500 2011:

‘is comfortable with any level of tribunal and is completely au fait with complex legal issues’

Legal 500:

‘is widely experienced in fraud…has good experience in conspiracy trials’

Legal 500:

‘has a serious crime practice for his call and good experience in fraud and conspiracy trials’

Legal 500:

‘has a busy serious crime practice’

“I am delighted with the verdict. I am an innocent man and I’m glad the jury believed in me. This has been a very difficult time for me. My reputation was badly damaged after my arrest but now I can get on with my life as an innocent man with my head held high. I would like to take this opportunity to say I am especially indebted to my Barrister, Mr Ashraf Khan. Without his support I would have been lost”

QM, acquitted after a 5 month sexual abuse trial.

I cannot describe how happy I am today. Thank you Ashraf for all your help through this difficult period in my life. I was so scared I would loose my livelihood. I owe you so much”

TH, an independent financial adviser, acquitted after a 4 month fraud trial.

 

“I am delighted with the verdict! Thank you so much”

DO, acquitted of Grievous Bodily Harm after a trial.

 

“Brilliant result, thanks so much! Thank you for all the hard work and taking the time to understand our case; our previous lawyers just didn’t want to know”.

GH, acquitted of large scale drugs conspiracy.

 

 

“Thank you for everything! I could have spent my whole life in prison for something I didn’t do!

LW, acquitted of gang related murder after a 10 week trial.

 

 

“Thank you Mr Khan for all your hard work during this long and difficult trial. We knew we could always rely on you. You were superb!”

DM, acquitted of large scale drugs conspiracy.