Anu Omideyi

Year of Call: 2001

Specialist practice areas: Serious Crime, Criminal/Civil Fraud, Serious Sexual Offences, Regulation/Compliance, Asset Forfeiture, Health & Safety

Anu Omideyi’s practice spans all areas of criminal law but also includes other related areas of law. She typically acts for the defence in cases ranging from murder and serious sexual offences to complex conspiracies to defraud, money laundering, trading standards and trade mark offences.

Serious Crime

Violent offences

Anu frequently undertakes serious criminal work including offences such as murder, attempted murder, section 18 wounding / causing grievous bodily harm. For example, she acted as junior counsel (led by Oliver Blunt QC) in the successful defence of a youth charged with the assassination of Clive Brown near the Queens Park Rangers football ground on Christmas Eve in 2008. Anu is experienced in defending clients charged with causing grave, life-threatening or life-changing injuries including gunshot wounds, severe eye injuries, facial deformations, multiple fractures and knife wounds. She also undertakes work involving allegations of kidnap, false imprisonment, torture and aggravated burglary. These cases often involve complex scientific evidence, extensive telephone surveillance, tracking methods and other forms of police intelligence.

Firearms and other weapons

Work in this area has included the successful defence of a university student with no previous convictions or cautions who was charged with pointing a shotgun at a woman’s head. This work is often combined with other serious offences; for instance, Anu successfully defended a man charged with falsely imprisoning another with the use of a firearm and other weapons.  Her work has also encompassed the possession, use, transportation and distribution of firearms.

Drugs

Anu has dealt with several cases involving conspiracies to import or supply large quantities of class A and B drugs. This type of work has often included the use of scientific, forensic, telephone and intelligence-based evidence. Further, it can include evidence from other jurisdictions or countries. Aside from complex cases, she also undertakes straightforward supply, possession with intent to supply and simple possession matters.

Serious Sexual Offences and Offences Involving Vulnerable Witnesses

Anu’s practice in this area has developed considerably over the last few years. She has been briefed in a number of rape and serious sexual assault cases. Some of these have involved historic allegations dating back up to 30 years. Some of these have involved allegations made by multiple complainants against people in positions of trust. Others have lead to instructions in cases outside criminal law.  For example Anu, acting alone as junior counsel, successfully defended a man who was the subject of a civil, stand-alone, Sexual Offences Prevention Order following six separate allegations of rape. She also represented him in his criminal trial against allegations of rape and false imprisonment, at the end of which he was unanimously acquitted.

She also deals with offences of cruelty to children and, or vulnerable people. This often requires extremely sensitive cross-examination of child and vulnerable witnesses.

Regulatory / Health and Safety

Anu has also been briefed in or given advice concerning areas of law which have a footing outside criminal law even though they may sometimes overlap with it.  An illustration of this is where she successfully defended a company director against allegations concerning the use and storage of fireworks under Health and Safety Acts and Regulations alongside an antiquated Explosives Act 1875. She has also dealt with matters pertaining to noise nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Fraud

Anu’s experience includes defending serious and substantial fraud cases. She is currently instructed in an international conspiracy to defraud iTunes and Amazon and has defended several cases involving fraudulent activity, including against Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, the Home Office and other organisations. She has represented professional clients including lawyers and a doctor. Other fraud cases have involved extensive conspiracies involving corrupt Customs officials and advance fee frauds. She was part of a successful defence team who represented a man charged with playing a role in a £47 million advance fee fraud.

Advocacy

Concerning Anu’s advocacy, the Court of Appeal commented on her “skill and fortitude” during the course of the judgment in R v Amayo [2008] EWCA Crim 912, in which she appeared alone opposite leading and junior counsel. The court also stated that “the appellant was fortunate in having her counsel appearing for her today arguing the case in the manner she did..”.

Chambers’ Business

Anu sits on Chambers’ Board of Directors following her appointment in 2009. She is proud to be the youngest board member.

Other Interests

Anu often gives talks about aspiration and access to the legal profession to students in  “Inner City” Schools, Colleges, Universities and community groups. She also acts a mentor to several youths.

She sat on the Board of Trustees of Common Purpose UK, an international leadership development programme provider, between 2003 – 2009.

Notable Cases

R v P (2010 – 2011)

Successfully acted for the Respondent in a Sexual Offences Prevention Order following six allegations of rape. Prohibitions sought by the Metropolitan Police included a 5-year curfew and a prohibition from allowing any woman to enter his home address.

R v Kromah (2011)

Successfully defended a university student of good character and with a bright future against allegations involving the use of a firearm.

R v Sabharwal (2010)

Successfully defended a doctor accused of participating in a complicated conspiracy to fraudulently assist illegal immigration. Dr Sabharwal was the defendant (of four) who was acquitted. Instructed as junior counsel led by Terrence Boulter.

R v A (2010)

Defended a man charged with seriously raping and sexually abusing five children / teenagers between twenty and thirty years ago.

R v D (2009)

Instructed in the successful defence of a youth in a high-profile murder case in which the deceased, Craig Brown, was shot dead on Christmas Eve in 2008 ("the Loftus Road murder"). Led by Oliver Blunt Q.C.

R v H (2009)

Instructed to defend a man facing historical allegations of sexual activity involving penetration with three teenagers and indecent assault against eight women. Led by Sonia Woodley Q.C.

R v Afolabi (2009)

Defending a solicitor charged with laundering vast sums of money in the course of carrying out her professional duties. Led by David Brock.

R v Amayo [2008] EWCA Crim 912

Defended a lady who suffered from Narcolepsy (a debilitating sleeping disorder) and was charged with committing fraud.

R v Fray (2008)

Defended the "leader" of a sophisticated gang of robbers who stole over £500,000 worth of high value goods from jewellers across the country.

R v Ketchiemi (2007)

Successfully defended a client charged with conspiracy to commit fraud and launder money (£47m)

R v Dennis (2007)

Defended the "leader" of a gang for "steaming" robberies connected to the murder of Thomas ap Rhys Price. Led by John Kearney.

R v Farmer (2005-2006)

Acted as Junior Counsel in a tobacco importation case involving corrupt customs officers. Led by Charles Sherrard.