Andrea Parnham regularly appears in the crown court on behalf of the prosecution or the defence. She has been instructed in a wide variety of cases including assaults, drug cases, burglary, robbery, aggravated burglary, firearms, sexual and homicide offences. She is known for her approachable style when dealing with witnesses and clients, and she takes care to ensure that they fully understand the proceedings of which they are to be a part. Andrea is adept at dealing with cases that involve both vulnerable and intimidated witnesses as well as vulnerable Defendants.
“Worked over and above anything she was instructed to do always being proactive, endlessly reassuring, efficient and cheerful” – CPS Lawyer
Andrea has been instructed as disclosure junior in large scale operations involving high numbers of both complainants and defendants. She has ably dealt with various complex issues that have arisen pre-trial and during proceedings.
Andrea has had great success arguing exceptional circumstances when representing clients facing statutory minimum sentences, successfully persuading Judges that any sentence could not only be blow the minimum term, but could also be properly suspended.
Andrea has represented several prosecuting authorities including the CPS, the Department of Rural, Health and Welfare, the Child Support Agency, the police, the Environment Agency, Fire Service and HMRC.
Andrea has been instructed for both the prosecution and the defence in several complex confiscation matters including issues such as third party interests, tainted gifts and hidden assets.
Andrea was called to the Bar after an 11-year career in the police service involving operational, investigative and executive roles. She was a detective and attained the rank of inspector. Her previous experience and thorough working knowledge of police policy and procedure has often proved invaluable and has helped shape her exceptional people skills and her forensic approach to detail in cases.
Andrea undertook a common-law pupillage under the supervision of Matthew Smith, Craig Hassall and Sally Beaumont.
Notable Cases
- R v Mvlia Kiongazi 2018 – Junior to Richard Wright QC – murder
- R v Nawaz & Nawaz 2018 – prosecuted complex confiscation proceeds dealing with third party interests, tainted gifts and hidden assets
- R v Littlewood 2018 – Disclosure junior to Caroline Wigin in sexual abuse in a children’s home case
- R v Tapping 2018 – successfully argued exceptional circumstances avoiding the statutory minimum term.
- R v S and others 2018 – Disclosure junior to Richard Wirght QC and Kate Batty in large scale grooming case
- R v B 2017 – successfully Defendant uncle charged with sex offences against his niece.
- R v Hardy 2017 – successfully argued exceptional circumstances avoiding the statutory minimum term.
- R v F 2017 – Successfully defendant man charged with offences in relation to threats to kill children and firearms offences.
- R v Hughes 2016– Andrea successfully argued that a sentence of imprisonment could be suspended in the case of a teacher who was systematically stealing and selling on books from the school where she worked
- R v Robinson2015– Andrea successfully made a half time submission in relation to no case to answer for both perverting the course of justice and burglary offences.
- R v Aujla2015– POCA case where Andrea successfully argued that her clients ‘benefit’ amount was just over £2,000 compared to the £715,000 asserted by the Crown.
Contact Andrea’s clerks
Andrew Thornton on 0113 213 5202
Rebecca Wilson on 0113 213 5203
