John FitzGerald
Call: 1998

John FitzGerald is an established and busy practitioner specialising in criminal defence work and one of the best-known names on the South Eastern Circuit.  He has a highly successful practice encompassing all areas of serious crime and is renowned for representing difficult defendants and appearing in difficult cases and is consistently ranked in the Legal 500. Described in Chambers UK Bar Guide 2022 as “A brilliantly charming jury advocate.”

High-profile cases in which he has recently been instructed include defending in the murder of a 16 year old boy in broad daylight on the streets of Croydon, defending a 17 year old accused of attempted murder who inflicted 16 stab wounds on another boy, defending one of 9 Somalian males accused of the grooming and repeated rape of children over a 2 year period, as well as defending those charged with all manner of serious criminal offences including rape, sexual offences against children, s.18, kidnap, armed robbery, false imprisonment.

Crime

Violent Offences:

John enjoys instructions from a large number of solicitors whose clients are accused of offences of violence. Such cases often require skilful and destructive cross-examination as well as the ability to deal with difficult defendants.  John was described in the 2016 edition of the Legal 500: “His direct approach helps him fight cases that look hopeless.”  Recent examples include:

R v Braham 2022:

Defending a man accused of murdering a 16-year-old boy.  The defendant was driving a moped delivering class A drugs when the pillion passenger asked him to stop.  The passenger stabbed the boy in the chest.  When the boy ran off, the defendant chased him but a passing van picked the boy up and took him to hospital.  The defendant, on licence, lied in his various interviews.  Hundreds of hours of CCTV and cell site analysis were relied upon by the prosecution.

R v Evans 2021:

Defending a 17-year-old accused of attempted murder.  Against a backdrop of animosity with the complainant, also a youth, the defendant inflicted 13 stab wounds with a kitchen knife.  The latter half of the incident was caught on CCTV showing the defendant stabbing the victim whilst he was on the floor.  The defendant claimed he was attacked by the victim who, it transpired through a mass of disclosure, had a fascination with knives and a history of aggressive and violent behaviour.  After the event, the victim used social media to spread his ‘truth’.

R v Koldashi 2021:

Multi-handed wounding with intent and robbery.  Four Albanian men from a group of 8 or 9 were accused of a joint knife attack of a drug runner on the streets of Gravesend.  Two vehicles pulled up next to the victim 2 minutes apart and the occupants attacked him.  All claimed the attacks were a coincidence and those in the second car stopped because the male had robbed one of them at knife point a few days before.  Some defendants had travelled from Birmingham and some from London.  The case involved complex legal submissions concerning principal and secondary parties pursuant to the case of R v Jogee.

R v Bishop 2021:

Defending a 16 year old autistic boy who also suffered with ADHD charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent using a machete.  The defendant was accused of selling cannabis and when a customer refused to pay the inflated price, he produced a machete and struck the victim across the body resulting in his intestines falling out.  The defendant

R v Bley 2020:

Defending the leader of a group of drug dealers accused of knife point robbery in the home.  The defendant had a history using firearms and violence from a young age and some accused met each other in prison.  Cell site and call data evidence, social media evidence, forensic evidence, CCTV and bad character evidence were all relied upon.

R v Johnson 2021:

Defending a man charged with a hammer attack on his neighbour.

Sexual Offences:

John has many years’ experience in cases involving serious sexual offending against adults and children.  He has experience dealing with Ground Rules Hearings, pre-recorded cross-examination, intermediaries and complex admissibility arguments.  John adopts a more sensitive style to his advocacy to suit cases of this kind.  In the 2015 Edition of the Legal 500 he was described as “an advocate who justifiable inspires loyalty in his clients”.  Recent examples include:

R v Mohammed 2022:

The defendant was one of 9 Somalian males accused of a campaign of grooming and raping children in Canterbury.  He was the oldest and said to be an organiser.  The girls were alleged to have been plied with drink and drugs and forced from house to house where they were raped.  Case involved complex disclosure and abuse of process arguments.

R v Kennett 2022.

Defending a man accused by two independent boys aged under 10 of sexual offences against them.  Each boy had challenges and social services had been involved in their care, such that intermediaries were used to assist them in answering questions, which was pre-recorded.

R v Brown 2022:

Defending a father accused of sexual offending against his daughter over a period of nearly years.

R v Jackson 2021:

The defendant, a convicted child rapist, suffered with Asperger’s and Autism.  Having been released on licence he was ostracised from society, struggling with his mental health and then befriended underage girls.  He was accused of further offences of rape, serious sexual offences and associated breaches of SHPO and notification requirements.

R v Silver 2021:

Defending a man accused of 4 rapes of two women.  The defendant had been released on licence and was in a relationship with two women, neither of whom initially knew of the other.  The police were not called until the defendant smashed his way into one of the females’ homes, assaulted and raped her before self-harming with a knife.  The case involved complex bad character and s.41 YJCEA 1999 arguments as well as voluminous text messages and difficult cross-examination.

R v Dunn 2021:

Defending a man accused of drugging and luring a child to his home address and then raping her.  There were a number of child witnesses and the defendant’s DNA was found in the complainant’s underwear.  The defendant’s brother was accused of raping her as well on the same night.

R v Sherifi 2019:

Defending a man accused of rape and other sexual offences against a 14 year old girl in Folkestone 20 years ago.  The defendant was Albanian and had fled the country when granted bail in 1999.  The police had lost his interview tapes and only summaries were present.

Drugs Offences:

John has a wealth of experience in drugs conspiracy and importation cases.  John has built up a depth of knowledge regarding Organised Crime Groups, especially those running ‘Country Lines’ drugs operations.  He has become an expert in assimilating the mass of cell site and mobile phone data that usually accompanies such cases.  His practice is mainly in the south east where the main ports to the continent are based providing a large number of importation cases.  Recent examples include:

R v Ibrahim 2022:

Defending one of 5 alleged to be running a ‘County Lines’ class A drug supply chain.  Complex cell site and call data created the need to marshal a huge volume of evidence – approximately 30,000 pages.

R v Wilkin 2021:

Defending a man changed with importation of £2 million worth of cocaine.

R v Asamoah 2022:

Defending a man charged with importation of 1 million MDMA tablets, cocaine and LSD.

R v Rhesi 2020:

Defending a City Analyst accused of turning to the supply of cannabis during Covid lockdown.

R v Carty 2019:

Defending a 19-year-old gang leader accused of conspiracy to supply firearms and class A drugs.

R v Ripley & Others 2020:

Prosecuting a 12-handed class A drugs conspiracy arising out of a massive police undercover operation.  Massive amounts of phone evidence, covert audio and video evidence was gathered resulting in offenders from top to bottom of the hierarchy of the OCG.  A further 20 or so defendants were also individually prosecuted.

Offences of Dishonesty:

John has many years experience dealing with cases of dishonesty.  Often, such cases involve high volumes of material and John’s ability to identify and cut to the real issues in such cases is a huge asset.  Recent examples include:

R v Crudduck 2022:

Defending a man alleged to be at the centre of a massive mileage alteration conspiracy.  The case concerned hundreds of vehicles, hundreds of victims and millions of miles in a trial due to take 6 weeks.

R v Bhogal 2019:

Leading counsel defending a one of 8 defendants accused of fraudulently selling and installing solar panel energy systems.   The defendant was one of three defendants who were company directors who had lied about the grants available for those installing solar panels, sold overpriced equipment and then installed it to a poor standard.  2 month trial.

R v Rafiq 2019:

Prosecting a 4 handed fraud, in which offenders cheated pensioners out of their life savings.  The offenders stole personal details and identifications and, pretending to be bank employees, were able to convince elderly and vulnerable people that their funds were at risk and to transfer money into ‘safe’ accounts.

R v Wright 2022:

Prosecuting a man alleged to have defrauded the charity for which he was working.  Case involved vast amounts of PayPal and bank evidence.

Driving Cases:

John has developed excellent experience dealing with Road Traffic Act cases and the specialist evidence from Traffic Collision Experts that features in such cases.  These cases are always tragic and John’s ability to deal sensitively with all concerned is a real asset.

R v Regan 2020:

Defending a man who knocked over and killed a pedestrian as he crossed the road.

R v Smith 2021:

Defending 17 year old driver who killed three and seriously injured two passengers whilst trying to avoid police in the country lanes.

R v Henderson 2022:

Prosecuting a man for death by careless driving, who failed to see a man lying in the road and drove straight over him.

Recommendations

"He has a robust approach to the preparation of cases, the way he deals with clients and indeed his conduct in court."

― Legal 500 [2023]

"He is a brilliantly charming jury advocate."

― Chambers UK Bar Guide [2022]

"Well known for defending across a purview of serious criminal matters."

― Legal 500 [2019]

“His direct approach helps him fight cases that look hopeless”

― Legal 500 [2016]

"An advocate who justifiably inspires loyalty in clients."

― Legal 500 [2015]

Notable Cases

R v Cox (2023)

Defending a man charged with the attempted murder of an intruder into his home. The complainant, a life long friend, had a grievance which exploded when he attended the defendant’s home armed with a metal pole. Threats and attempts at violence were exchanged, some of which were caught on mobile phone video. The defendant stabbed the complainant with a carving knife as he tried to enter the defendant’s address. The defendant and his mother (indicted for perverting the course of justice) lied in their subsequent interviews with the police.

R v Ohene (2023)

Defending a man charged with attempted murder due to an issue over a cocaine deal. In the lead up to the assault with a Rambo knife, animosity brewed over a week or so, as illustrated by a 1600 entry schedule including texts, voice notes, videos and other social media contact. The victim had been threatening violence but then apologised. However, the defendant lured the victim to his flat and once inside trapped him and attacked him with a knife, causing 15 knife wounds. The defendant then fled to Croydon where he was eventually tracked down by police.

R v McQuaide (2023)

Defending a man charged with attempted murder, s.18 GBH, controlling and coercive behaviour and threats to kill, all arising out of his relationship with his partner. Both parties were heavy drinkers, but the complainant’s alcoholism was off the scale. The attempted murder concerned the defending cutting her throat in the midst of an argument over infidelity. The defendant suggested she had cut her own throat and pathological and psychological evidence was obtained as to who was responsible, since the defendant was right handed and the complainant left handed.

R v Braham (2022)

Murder in Croydon. Defending the rider of a moped, the passenger of which was alleged to have stabbed a 16 year old boy because he was jealous. Police searched over a 1000 hours of CCTV to piece together the offenders movements on the day. Complex cell site, GPS tag and mobile phone evidence was relied upon. Complex issues of joint liability also arose following the well-known judgement in Jogee.

R v Evans (2021)

Defending a 17 year old accused of attempted murder of another young man who sustained 16 knife wounds. Second half of the incident caught on CCTV, which included stabbing whilst V was on the ground and crawling away. V was aggressive throughout his time in hospital and initially refused to co-operate with police. Also refused to give consent to access various records. Then made a statement claiming he had no knife, which CCTV showed was a lie. Mass of unused material regarding V’s association with knives and independent evidence obtained of his previous threats towards the defendant. Negotiated a plea to s.18, category 2 of the Sentencing Guidelines. V made threats towards me, my solicitor and court staff and attended the sentencing hearing.

R v Mohammed (2021)

Defending one of 10 Eritrean males accused of a child sexual exploitation ring in Canterbury. The victims alleged 2 years of repeated rape and other sexual assaults at the hands of the defendants whose ages ranged from 17 to 27. The indictment ran to 29 counts. My client was alleged to be an organiser telling others to rape the girls and threatening them should they disobey him. The victim provided nearly 10 hours of ABE’s and these was a mass of unused material.

R v Jackson (2021)

Defendant, suffering with Asperger’s, accused of various penetrative sexual activity with a child, sexual communication with another child, distributing indecent images and various breaches of his SOPO and notification requirements. The defendant had been struggling to rebuild his life in compliance with the SOPO and notification requirements regime following his release having been sentenced for offences of rape of a child under 13. This, and his Asperger’s, created a difficult relationship with the supervising officers. The contact offences were encouraged by the complainants but they were under 16.

R v Rouse (2021)

Defending the alleged leader of a commercial scale cocaine distribution network in London. The defendant was a black taxi driver and used this as cover for his mass movements in furtherance of his drug supply. Officers found kilogrammes of the drug and prohibited hand guns at locations linked to the defendants. The case rested on the evidence obtained from Encrochat mobile phone data and whether such evidence was admissible, as part of Operation Venetic. The phone evidence disclosed the scale of the operation, which concerned transactions of hundreds of thousands of pounds and kilos of the drug at a time.

R v King & Others 2019

Defending the organiser of a conspiracy to import illegal immigrants using a RHIB to cross the English Channel and back under cover of darkness. The evidence was a complex web of police surveillance, maritime expert evidence and mobile phone contact and cell site analysis.

R v Evans (2018)

Defending one of four defendants caught by under cover filming by the BBC’s Panorama programme of allegedly mistreating trainees in their charge, at a young Offender’s Institute at which they worked as Security Officers. The defendants were accused of misconduct in public office in a trial that lasted 2 months.

R v Thompson & Others (2019)

Prosecuting 4 defendants aged 16 and under for a hatchet attack on a boy in the street in South London.

Appointments

Grade 4 CPS Panel Advocate (London & South East) and RASSO approved counsel.

Memberships

  • Criminal Bar Association
  • Kent Bar Mess
  • South Eastern Circuit

Education

  • BA Hons. (London)
  • C.P.E (University of Westminster)
  • B.V.C., (College of Law, London)
  • Ampleforth College

Latest news

21st November 2023

Nina Ellin KC, leading John FitzGerald, successfully defends a young man charged with the murder of a homeless man in Canterbury

Nina Ellin KC, leading John FitzGerald, successfully defends a young man charged with the murder of a homeless man in Canterbury. Their client was...

31st July 2023

John FitzGerald secures acquittal of Hip Hop artist in Attempted Murder Trial

John was defending Hip Hop Artist, ‘Ratlin’, at the Central Criminal Court, who was accused of a revenge shooting. John was able to secure a not guilty verdict on two counts of attempted murder and the related firearms offences.

16th March 2023

Man cleared of attempted murder – John FitzGerald defends

John FitzGerald represented the first of two men accused of setting a trap for another male with whom the defendant had a week-long running dispute over a cocaine deal.

22nd February 2023

John FitzGerald secures acquittal on all counts in attempted murder trial

John FitzGerald has secured the acquittal of the defendant on all counts in this attempted murder trial. The defendant and complainant were friends for...

22nd June 2022

John FitzGerald secures acquittal in million pound drug importation trial

John Fitzgerald was instructed by Karamjit Singh of Bark & Co Solicitors.

14th April 2022

John FitzGerald, led by Edward Henry QC, secure acquittal in Croydon Crown Court murder trial

John Fitzgerald was instructed by K Singh of Bark & Co.

4th October 2018

Murder Defence Underway

The trial of Auremas Vilius and Klaudijus Klimanskis, charged with the murder of a man called Edvardus Barsevicius, began last week. Oliver Saxby QC and John Fitzgerald are representing the first defendant.

26th March 2018

John FitzGerald, leading Craig Evans secure acquittal in ‘Panorama Case’

John FitzGerald and Craig Evans represented an employee at Medway Secure Training Centre accused of misconduct in public office by assaulting trainees.

5th December 2017

Richard Barraclough QC and John FitzGerald start murder trial

Richard Barraclough QC and John Fitzgerald are representing one of three men accused of beating a homeless Romanian man to death.

17th March 2017

John FitzGerald secures acquittal of 12 year old accused of raping 8 year old sister

John FitzGerald, instructed by Reeves & Co. (Ashford), defended a man, now 23, accused of raping his sister when he was 12 and she...

20th February 2017

John FitzGerald secures acquittal in gun running case

The defendant was a serving prisoner having been sentenced to an I.P.P. for attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger...

10th November 2015

John FitzGerald secures acquittal in attempted murder trial

John Fitzgerald has secured an acquittal in an attempted murder trial. The defendant, a Latvian female of good character, was alleged to have driven...

2nd November 2015

John FitzGerald and Richard Barraclough QC instructed in Maidstone murder mystery case

John FitzGerald and Richard Barraclough QC have been instructed by Gullands Solicitors in a murder mystery case whereby an unidentified body of a man...

30th July 2015

John FitzGerald represents defendant who set man on fire after building site dispute

John FitzGerald has represented a defendant who set a colleague on fire following a building site dispute. He was accused of causing grievous bodily...

21st July 2014

Gillingham Shooting Trial Gets Under Way

The trial of Adam, Steven and Melissa Green has commenced at Maidstone Crown Court. Catherine Donnolly prosecutes. Oliver Saxby QC and Simon Wickens represent the lead defendant; and John Fitzgerald and Thomas...

Contact my clerks

Graham Colloff

Graham Colloff

First Junior Clerk
Michael Hearn

Michael Hearn

Second Junior Clerk