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 Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire.

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.

Head of the Complex Casework Unit Adrian RobertsHead 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

In the financial year to March 2012, CPS Thames and Chiltern Complex Case Unit prosecuted 2 cases in Magistrates' Courts and 102 cases in Crown Courts. The conviction rate for this period was 100% in Magistrates' Courts and 92% in Crown Courts.

In the second quarter of 2012-13, CPS Thames and Chiltern Complex Case Unit prosecuted no cases in magistrates' courts and 33 cases in Crown Courts. The conviction rate for this period was 70% in Crown Courts.

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.