THOMAS ASHBEY
SOLICITOR
Spanish (intermediate)
Criminal Law Solicitor Associaltion
Accredited Police Station Representative
Court Duty Solicitor
Education:
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Law LLB First Class Honours, University of Leicester
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LPC, University of Law
Tom is an experienced criminal defence practitioner with a busy and diverse caseload spanning police station representation, Magistrates’ Court, and Crown Court proceedings. He regularly handles a wide range of serious matters, including drug and violent offences, sexual offences, fraud, money laundering, and confiscation proceedings in the Crown Court.
Tom has recent specialist experience in managing Very High Cost Cases (VHCCs) involving complex and high-profile matters such as terrorism, espionage, large-scale bribery and HMRC fraud, as well as human trafficking. His expertise in these cases reflects his ability to navigate intricate legal frameworks and manage substantial volumes of sensitive material.
He also has considerable experience in extradition law, having represented individuals facing extradition to a range of jurisdictions including Romania, Albania, Armenia, France, Hungary, Poland, and Lithuania.
Tom is known for his attention to detail and unwavering commitment to client care. He adopts an open, pragmatic, and empathetic approach, always taking into account each client’s personal circumstances and background to achieve the best possible outcome.
Practice Areas
· R v SS (2024) – “Op Hersey” - St Albans Crown Court
Representing a defendant charged with murder along with 2 others . The defendant pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was acquitted of murder after a one-month trial
R v G, Harrow Crown Court
The case concerned a defendant accused of attempted murder. The Defendant was found not guilty.
R v SA (2024) “Op Marble” – Basildon Crown Court
Representing the defendant who was charged along with 4 others in relation to a serious aggravated burglary involving firearms and other weapons
R v S, Chelmsford Crown Court
The case concerned a defendant accused of kidnap and GBH alongside three others.
R v B, Isleworth Crown Court
The case concerned a senior Home Office official charged with attempting to administer poison with intent to procure a miscarriage.
· R v QX (2024)- “Op Huai” - Southwark Crown Court
Representing a defendant in a multi-handed conspiracy to control prostitution. Defendant acquitted after 3-month trial.
· R v VB (2024) – “Op Dragonfly” – Sheffield Crown Court
Defendant charged with 5 others in case concerning conspiracy to commit human trafficking and control prostitution.
R v S, Harrow Crown Court
The case concerned a defendant accused with 6 others of kidnap, blackmail, robbery and burglary. Defendant was found not guilty of all counts.
R v F, Cardiff Crown Court
The case concerned a defendant charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and human trafficking. A basis of plea was negotiated with the Crown where the defendant had a limited role in the conspiracy and the count of human trafficking was dropped.
R v L, Exeter Crown Court
The defendant was charged with 5 others for the conspiracy to supply class A drugs in a county lines operation. The defendant eventually entered a basis of plea following successful negotiations to agree that he had a lesser role in the conspiracy. The defendant awaits sentence.
R v H, Harrow Crown Court
The case concerned a defendant charged with supplying class A drugs to others. He was acquitted at trial
· R v MA (2024) – Isleworth Crown Court
Representing a defendant charged with another for rape of a female. Defendant acquitted at trial.
R v F, Aylesbury Crown Court
Representing a defendant charged with multiple counts of rape, sexual assault, voyeurism, administering a substance with intent and controlling and coercive behaviour. The case involves managing and analysing evidence of a very sensitive nature.
R v R, St Albans Crown Court
The case concerned a defendant accused of possessing indecent images of children. Following the careful and detailed building of the defendant’s case, the Crown offered no evidence and the court directed not guilty verdicts.
R v D, Kingston Crown Court
The case concerned a defendant accused of causing death by dangerous driving. The Crown offered no evidence on the first day of trial.
R v R, Harrow Crown Court
The case concerned a defendant accused of dangerous driving. The case involved the careful instruction of expert forensic scientists. The defendant was found not guilty.
Armenia v R, Westminster Magistrates Court
The case concerned a Romanian national whose extradition was being requested by the Government of Armenia. The case involved lengthy and detailed preparation and analysis. Two junior barristers were instructed and following a two-day hearing, the extradition was successfully opposed.
Albania v M, Westminster Magistrates Court
The case concerned an Albanian national whose extradition was being requested by the Government of Albania to serve an outstanding custodial sentence. Following a two-day hearing, extradition was ordered by the Secretary of State but later withdrawn following successful representations that the sentence in Albania had become statute-barred.
· R v IS (2025) – “Op Skirp” - Central Criminal Court
Representing one of 6 defendants charged with conspiracy to commit espionage on behalf of the Russian State.
· R v PB (ongoing) – “Op Loafer” - Lewes Crown Court
Ongoing case concerning defendant who is charged alongside 6 others with two
counts of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.
R v C, Reading Crown Court
The defendant faced confiscation proceedings following conviction for conspiracy to burgle. The prosecution asserted that the defendant had £43,000 in “hidden assets”. Following negotiation, a hidden assets figure of £7,000 was agreed, significantly reducing the amount of the eventual confiscation order.