Benjamin Crosland
Call: 1993
Benjamin Crosland
Gray’s Inn
Legal Aid Supplier Number 0396F
Contact
T: 01274 722 560 or 0113 246 2600
Ben now prosecutes on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service in the Magistrates Court. With previous experience as a Grade 4, he is strong advocate with a vast amount of knowledge in all areas of criminal law.
Before being called to the Bar, Ben Crosland was a solicitor for 15 years both in private practice and within the CPS and its predecessor, the County Prosecuting Solicitors Office of the WYMCC.
Reputation
Whilst in private practice in Huddersfield in the 1970's, Ben lectured in OND Law at Huddersfield Technical College. Whilst a Senior Crown Prosecutor, Ben frequently gave talks to the Police about his role as a prosecutor. For a period of time Ben was the Youth Court specialist in Wakefield and gave talks to the police about his function in that role.
Expertise
Crime
Ben Crosland has prosecuted and defended in all areas across the criminal spectrum, including murder, manslaughter, death by dangerous driving, serious sexual offending, firearms offences, drugs offences and conspiracy to commit professional burglaries of banks and building societies.
Notable Cases
CROWN COURT
R v Gerard Michael Langton, Craig Peter Brunie and Gary Frederick Gill Sheffield Crown Court 2010
The Prosecution of a team of professional burglars who targeted banks and building societies in the South Yorkshire and Midlands regions using specialist knowledge of alarm systems to disable them before burning the backs off ATMs using oxyacetylene equipment. There were several different strands of evidence to demonstrate association between the Defendants at the various locations (in circumstances where they made no comment in interview and left no forensic traces at all) from ANPR cameras, the Defendants’ mobile telephones, 2 Satellite Navigation systems, surveillance by police officers and surveillance videos. A hugely complex circumstantial case which resulted in guilty pleas on the day of trial. Substantial sentences followed.
R v Josiah Abijah Sanderson, Isiah Cardwell, Josiah Ruben Wiggan, Ainsley Kenneth Ellis and Adrian Gareth Wilson Sheffield Crown Court 2009
The Prosecution of a number of men for drugs and firearms offences against a background of postcode gang violence in Sheffield. Much of the evidence consisted of covert audio recordings of the Defendants, together with expert voice analysis evidence. A mixture of guilty pleas and trials. Substantial custodial sentences of those convicted.
R v Andrew Jan Shovelar Lincoln Crown Court 2007 and 2008
The Prosecution of a police officer charged with long term domestic violence on his partner. Lengthy trial and retrial. The Defendant was convicted and sentenced to custody. The case attracted much national press attention –‘Tyrant PC’s ground rules for his girlfriend: don’t speak when I come home’ the Daily Mail 6th July 2007. ‘Hero PC bullied partner into being silent when he came home’ the Mail on Sunday 9th January 2008.
R v Danny Kevin Major Bradford Crown Court, 2006
The Prosecution of a police officer charged with assault upon a detainee in custody. Lengthy trial and retrial. Defendant represented by leading Counsel. The Defendant was convicted and sentenced to custody. The case attracted local and national press attention.
R v Mohammed Rafiq Leeds Crown Court, 2003
The Defence of a man, along with several others, charged with Conspiracy to Murder. The so called ‘Keighley roundabout murder’ set against a background of gang turf warfare in relation to drug dealing in the town.
Clerks
