William Donnelly

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Bill joined Chambers in 2011 with 25 years prosecution experience for the CPS, he now both prosecutes and defends in the crown courts throughout the UK, as well as the Court of Appeal in sentencing and conviction cases.

Bill has particular expertise in prosecuting and defending in:

• Child Internet Abuse Cases
• Driving Offences
• Drug Offences
• Fraud & Proceeds of Crime
• Sexual Offences
• Serious Violence

As a former national lecturer to the Crown Prosecution Service lawyers in this area, defendants have benefited from his experience. In one recent case, a conviction for a section 172 offence was overturned on appeal when a basic procedural flaw in the prosecution's case was revealed. Attention to detail is vital in this area.

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Reported Cases

• R v Otoo & Others (Operation Rosebud) : Successful prosecution of over 40 defendants and over 200 offences of Class A Drugs Supply, Robbery and Burglary from pre-charge to conviction at the Crown Court. Operation Rosebud was a major covert intelligence-led and targeted operation across South Manchester. Awarded Chief Superintendent's Commendation.
• R v Webb & Others (Operation Waddington)
• R v McNulty & Others (Operation Ore)
• R v Miah : Successful prosecution for offences of possession of ammunition
• R v Waheed & Others : Successful prosecution of robbery based upon expert evidence on the impact of a single blood spot
• R v McNulty & Others : Successful prosecution of, amongst others, a Police Officer for making and possessing images of child internet abuse. This involved international evidence gathering and cross-border enforcement
• R v Cristiano Ronaldo : Speeding/failing to conform to a traffic signal. Represented by notable solicitors, convicted.
• R v Roque Santa Cruz : Section 172 Notice/speeding, convicted

Professional Memberships & Publications

• Member of National CPS/Police Working Group on prosecution of child internet abuse, co-ordination of evidence gathering and expert evidence.
• Former National Trainer for CPS on Road Traffic Law