[photo] John Benson Q.C. (1978)John Benson Q.C.
(1978, QC 2001)

Team

Crime

Practice

John Benson QC has appeared in many high profile criminal cases in recent years involving homicide, fraud, sexual offences and health and safety.

Although based in Liverpool where he is currently Head of Atlantic Chambers he appears frequently in the Central Criminal Court and Crown Courts throughout England and Wales. He was recently described in Chambers Guide as many solicitors first stop for fraud. His recent murder cases include R v Sorton & Others (death of Mr Gary Newlove, Warrington. 2008);); R v Johnson (Liverpool 2007) Rv Qasim (Old Bailey 2007); Rv Dempsey & Ors (Manchester 2007); R v Joy (Manchester 2007). In 2006 he appeared for a lead defendant in the prosecution of senior managers involved in fraud/corruption arising out of the construction of the Millennium Dome.

Other homicide cases include:

  • R v O’Leary 2001 ( murder)
  • R v Laverty (child manslaughter)
  • R v Esposito 2003 (murder)
  • R v Ahmed 2003 (knife murder)
  • R v Cassidy & Ors 2003 (gun murder)
  • R v Joy 2004 (attempt murder)
  • R v Ahmed 2004 (gang murder)
  • R v Gordon 2005 (gang gun murder)
  • R v Ward 2005 (gun attempt murder)
  • R v Fullerton 2006 (murder)
  • R v Masters 2006 (murder)
  • R v Mack 2006 (attempt gun murder)
  • R v Johnson 2006 (murder by arson)
  • R v Sheffington 2006 (knife murder)
  • R v McCombe 2007(murder)
  • R v Qasim 2007 (knife murder)
  • R v Dempsey 2007 (gang murder)
  • R v Cunliffe 2008 (murder)
  • R v Molassi 2008 (gun murder
  • R v Agbobu (gang knife murder)