Guy Draper

Year of call: 2008

Email: gdraper@furnivallaw.co.uk

Guy receives instructions in a range of areas including serious violence, sexual offences, fraud, dishonesty and drugs offences. Instructing solicitors and lay clients alike have commented on Guy's knowledge of the law, his swift identification of the issues in cases, his easy manner and ability to connect with defendants. Guy has particular strength in dealing with young or vulnerable defendants and witnesses, having acted in a number of cases involving the cross-examination of young children, and in cases with mentally disordered defendants. Guy has been described as a persuasive, articulate and tenacious advocate.

SERIOUS CRIME, CRIMINAL FRAUD, SERIOUS SEXUAL OFFENCES

Guy's instructions in the criminal courts have included the full range of violent offences, cases of burglary, robbery, fraud, immigration offences, sexual offences, drugs offences, public order offences, harassment, and driving offences.
Guy has particular experience and success defending people in cases of domestic violence. Further, he is frequently instructed to defend in driving matters in the Magistrates' Court, and has successfully argued for special reasons not to endorse the defendant's licence, and exceptional hardship to prevent a defendant being disqualified. Guy has also succeeded in appeals against the revocation of taxi licences.
Guy has experience working on murder trials, large-scale fraud and drugs matters and has written advices on appeal against sentence for historic rape cases.

CIVIL LAW

Guy also has extensive experience in civil matters. He has acted for the claimant in a multi-track claim against the Metropolitan Police for wrongful arrest, and regularly appears in the county courts for civil matters that involve a criminal element, such as acting for the claimant in his ongoing claim against a major investment bank for damages for the wrongful restraint of his assets, or for the defendant in a case brought against him by his local borough council for breaching his antisocial behaviour injunction.

NOTABLE CASES

R v PN (Southampton Crown Court)
Successful defence of a young man charged with harassment with violence, where it was alleged that he had pointed a gun at a rival family member's head and had threatened to burn down his house.
R v JN (Southwark Crown Court)
Successful appeal against conviction for domestic violence.
R v AD (Winchester Crown Court)
Defended a 17-year-old girl with learning difficulties, who was charged with robbery alongside an adult.
R v AW (Blackfriars Crown Court)
Defended a man with mental health issues, charged with two counts of sexual assault and one of exposure. Persuaded the Crown to accept a plea to just one count on a reduced basis.
R v NP (St Albans Crown Court)
Ongoing case where the defendant is charged with fraudulently claiming sole title to his siblings' inheritance.
R v BB (Youth Court)
Successfully defended a 16-year-old boy charged with the sexual assault of a nine-year-old family friend.
R v RW (Youth Court)
Successfully defended a girl charged with theft and racially-aggravated criminal damage, where the trial was held in her absence.
R v MC (Magistrates' Court)
Defendant acquitted of beating his 4-year-old daughter when she had explained clearly to teachers at nursery school that her black eye was caused by her father hitting her.