The Work of the CCU

The unit is equipped to deal with the most serious and complex cases including:

- cross border and international organised crime

- cases involving major targeted criminals and/or organised crime

- large-scale and sophisticated fraud and money laundering

- large-scale drug and human trafficking

- complex or sensitive murders

- serious sexual abuse

- major public disorder offences

- serious or complex misconduct by police officers

- sudden infant death

- major child abuse

- anything that is likely to attract a high degree of media interest.

 

Home » Introducing CPS Thames and Chiltern » Complex Casework Unit

Handling Complex Crime

In 2008, the CPS Thames and Chiltern Complex Casework Unit was set up.  This is a team of specialist lawyers, paralegal officers and administrators who handle the most serious of our cases across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

The unit also has the important responsibility for enforcing court orders to recover the assets of criminals. Find out more about the work of the Complex Casework Unit.

Increasingly we use our own highly skilled Crown Advocates to present these very serious cases in the Crown Court.  This ensures that the CPS has conduct of the cases from start to finish to provide a quality and consistent service.

Adrian Roberts 

Head of the Complex Casework Unit Adrian Roberts said:

"It is vital that the public knows that we have the skills, expertise and the motivation to handle the most serious of cases in this area.  Whilst the most serious crimes are relatively rare, we work together with the police major crime units across the Thames and Chiltern area to ensure that those who commit these terrible acts are brought to justice".

Recent Casework

Recent casework of the unit includes:

(December 2010): The conviction of Mark Weston for the murder 15 years ago of Vicky Thompson in Oxfordshire, whilst she was walking her dog. Weston was tried and acquitted by the jury, but re-tried under the double jeopardy ruling. 

(Feb 2010) The prosecution of Stephen Marshall and Sarah Bush for the murder and dismembering of the body of Jeffrey Howe in Hertfordshire, known as the Jigsaw Man murder.  Marshall was sentenced to life, to serve a minimum of 36 years in prison.

(January 2010) Five anti-war protesters were successfully prosecuted for public order offences at Luton magistrates' court for their protest at the homecoming parade of the 2nd Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment in Luton on 10 March 2009.

(October 2009) A nine-strong gang was prosecuted for conspiracy to commit burglaries and jailed for a total of 35 years following a long running investigation into burglaries across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire where high value cars, totalling £1.5 million, were stolen off driveways.

(November 2008) Philip Rooney was sentenced to five years imprisonment for causing death by dangerous driving.  He had been driving a National Express coach from central London to Aberdeen when it overturned on a slip road to the M25 at junction 15 resulting in the death of 3 passengers and numerous injuries to the other 66 passengers.

August 2008) Reading Gun Factory case.  Grant Wilkinson was sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in converting sub machine guns that were used in 51 separate shooting incidents, including the murder of 15-year-old Michael Dosunmu in February 2007.