Fatima Jama

Notable Crime cases

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R v AA – Portsmouth Crown Court [2025]

Acting as junior counsel on a complex drug trafficking case involving the importation and supply of cannabis. The Crown’s case alleges that the defendant was part of an organised crime group based in West Sussex that imported cannabis from Switzerland through courier services and fast parcels, subsequently selling it through online websites and to physical shops across the UK.

R v AB - Ipswich Crown Court [2025]

Secured a reduced sentence for an Albanian national charged with being concerned in supplying Class A drugs. Despite the defendant’s previous convictions, the defence persuasively argued the categorisation for a lesser role, rather than a significant role as initially contended, by strategically using the Crown’s own drug expert witness testimony to demonstrate the defendant was operating under direction within an organised crime structure. The sentencing judge was aided by the defence’s detailed sentencing note. The sentence was effectively mitigated down to two and a half years custody – substantially below what could have been imposed.

R v UR – Stoke-On-Trent Crown Court [2025]

The defendant was sentenced for an offence of violent disorder while serving a 15-year sentence for drug and modern slavery offences. The violent disorder was committed on a separate occasion involving different circumstances. The judge was persuaded to impose a short sentence concurrent to his existing sentence. 

R v JW – Chelmsford Crown Court [2025]

Following a successful application to vacate the defendant’s plea in the Magistrates’ Court, successful representations were made to the Crown in Crown Court proceedings to review prosecution in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors with additional reference to the CPS guidance on suspects and defendants with mental health conditions or disorders. This case presented unique challenges due to the defendant’s significant vulnerability, but their good character status was preserved.

R v MB – Ipswich Crown Court [2025]

Secured unanimous acquittals in a 7-day trial at Ipswich Crown Court for a defendant who faced two counts of assault on emergency workers before the Resident Judge after just 76 minutes of jury deliberation and successfully opposed two prosecution bad character applications. The case received local media coverage which can be viewed here.

R v AA – Wimbledon Youth Court [2025]

Successful representations made to the Crown to discontinue serious drugs charges for youth defendant. The Crown were persuaded not to proceed with the case, despite the defendant’s prior convictions. The matter involved a vulnerable young person who had been identified as a victim of modern slavery through a positive conclusive grounds decision. The case was further complicated by the client’s status as a refugee who had fled the Syrian conflict four years before arriving in the UK.

RSPCA v IS & KZS – Luton Crown Court [2025]

Low-level Community Orders imposed on both defendants who were convicted of serious animal cruelty offences.

R v HHM – Canterbury Crown Court [2025]

Successful application to dismiss for possession of a bladed article offence.

R v DD - Harrow Crown Court sitting at Willesden Magistrates’ Court [2025]

Defendant acquitted of assaulting an emergency worker. The prosecution case was that the defendant assaulted a police officer while attempting to flee, motivated by the desire to conceal a lock knife that was later discovered in his possession. The defendant had initially entered ‘not guilty’ pleas to both offences, but later accepted possession of the bladed article. The Crown argued that the defendant’s initial dishonesty about the knife undermined his credibility regarding the assault allegation. The defendant received a conditional discharge for the bladed article count.

R v OW – Guildford Crown Court [2024]

The defendant was sentenced for two offences committed while serving a life sentence for murder. The offences of being concerned in the supply of class B drugs and unauthorised possession of a mobile phone inside a prison were committed on separate occasions. The judge was persuaded to impose short sentences which while consecutive to each other were concurrent with his existing sentence. The defendant was coming to the end of the minimum term of his life sentence making the case exceptionally challenging.

R v MP – Staines Magistrates’ Court [2024]

Suspended Sentence Order imposed on the defendant charged with three counts of possession of category A, B and C indecent images and successfully contested the length of the Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

R v RM – Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court [2024]

Defended a bus driver charged with driving without due care and attention whilst at work, this offence was placed in the highest category given the number of injuries caused, however, the court was persuaded not to impose a driving disqualification.