Abigail Langford
Call: 2005
Abigail Langford
LL.B (Hons), Leeds University (2003)
LL.M, Newcastle University (2005)
Lincoln’s Inn
Legal Aid Supplier Number 201LJ
Contact
T: 01274 722 560 or 0113 246 2600
Abigail is Head of the Criminal Team and undertakes both prosecution and defence work across the North Eastern Circuit. A Grade 4 prosecutor and a member of the CPS Rape and Serious Sexual Assault Panel, she is experienced in dealing with cases involving vulnerable witnesses, particularly young witnesses and defendants. Abigail has experience in working with Defendants with mental illness, including conducting conferences/ hearings in a hospital setting.
Abigail has a particular specialism in disclosure and has conducted a number of complex operations in this area. Abigail has particular expertise in firearms cases and has been involved in a number of high profile cases of this kind.
Reputation
Abigail is Head of the Criminal Team and regularly presents webinars to the CPS, the Police and Solicitors.
Expertise
Crime
Abigail’s expertise also includes:
- Murder, Attempted Murder and Manslaughter
- Sex and Drug Trafficking
- Cases involving high profile individuals, public bodies and politically sensitive cases
- Terrorism
- Cases involving vulnerable victims such as Baby Shaking
- Modern Slavery
- Kidnap
- Cyber Crime
- Armed Robbery
Notable Cases
R v Mafaune (2025)
Prosecuted Patson Mafaune, who was sentenced to 32 years for attempted murder after he shot at a man in the streets of Leeds in July 2024. Abigail was instructed by the CPS and worked with the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team. News Coverage: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/crime/drive-by-shooter-jailed-for-attempting-to-kill-foe-outside-burger-bar-5019886
R v Anon (2024)
Stephen led Abigail Langford prosecuted two teenagers for hacking to death Harley Brown, using machetes. News Coverage: https://news.sky.com/story/harley-browns-killers-sentenced-to-life-for-stabbing-him-to-death-after- chance-meeting-outside-huddersfield-shop-13033725
R v Francis (2024)
Stephen Wood KC leading Abigail Langford were instructed by Yorkshire and Humberside CPS to prosecute Francis for the brutal murder of a woman and the rapes of a further woman. The defendant was convicted of all counts and was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve a minimum term of 28 years. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3rwprlx7e8o7
R v Mohsin Hussain (2023)
Prosecution of Mohsin Hussain for causing death by dangerous driving after 7-year-old boy was killed in Bradford. Hussain received nine years and nine months imprisonment. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-67512817
R v Dale Osborne (2023)
Prosecution of nine rapes, six actual bodily harm offences, one attempted rape, one sexual assault, three threats to kill and two false imprisonments. Defendant received 22 years imprisonment. https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/news-appeals/man-jailed-multiple-rapes-bradford
R v Fanty and Others (2022)
Prosecution, Obtained convictions after trial of all Defendants on all counts for murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to possess modified firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life, and conspiracy to supply controlled drugs of Class A.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-61964013R v Taylor Meanley & ors (2021)
Drive-by shooting which led to the death of a 21 year old. Abigail’s main responsibility was dealing with the technical and phone evidence.
R v Anthony Atha (2021)
Successfully defended Anthony Atha who was tried in relation to an offence of murder. The defendant had mental health problems and he was the only defendant in the trial to be acquitted. The case was high profile.
R v Rehan Baig (2020)
Prosecuted man who admitted to having sexual intercourse with live chickens. There was video evidence.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/12969101/sick-dad-sex-familys-pet-chickens/
R v Matthew Herring [2019]
Prosecution of firearm discharge in Sheffield. Sentenced to 14 years.
R v Elizabeth Childs [2019]
Female defendant who stole £30,000 from children’s centre.
R v Ashraf Khan [2018]
Prosecuted defendant who fathered three children by his own daughter. The victim admitted to her husband on her deathbed that the father of the children was her father. Received a 4 year and a half year sentence.
R v R [2019]
Defence of a mentally impaired defendant in relation to serious sexual offending against young members of his family . The case involved consideration of both psychiatric and psychological expert evidence.
Clerks
