FREELANCE SOLICITOR | PREMIER DEFENCE
CRIMINAL LAW
Sohail Bashir, the founder of Premier Defence, can provide you with the practical and specialist legal advice and representation you need at every stage of a criminal law police investigation and CPS prosecution. Having worked for and with some of the UK's largest and most prestigious criminal law firms, Sohail understands that this may be your first experience with the criminal justice system. You can be confident that Sohail has the expertise, experience, and agility to run a successful defence and achieve the best outcome possible. He is adept at spotting and exploiting weaknesses in the prosecution's case. He is 100% committed to his clients and never gives up on protecting their best interests and achieving the best possible outcomes.
If you have been arrested or asked to come to the police station to answer questions, please email Sohail immediately:
Sohail has a wealth of experience in advising and representing clients on:
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Assault in domestic abuse cases
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Murder/Manslaughter
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Assault and GBH
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Drug offences
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Firearms
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Terrorism
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Burglary
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Theft and robbery
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People trafficking and modern slavery
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Magistrates' Court and Crown Court
Assault in domestic abuse cases
Three-quarters of domestic abuse cases are closed early without the suspect being charged. Therefore, email Sohail immediately if you are arrested following a domestic abuse incident. He can quickly ascertain why the police arrested you and whether or not they acted within their legal powers. Sohail's 20 years' experience in criminal law means he understands how the police work and the evidence they need to charge you with assault. Therefore, he has an excellent history of ensuring his clients are released without being charged with an offence or made subject to further police investigations.
Murder and manslaughter
Sohail has extensive experience in defending murder and manslaughter cases. These are the most serious criminal offences; you could be sentenced to life imprisonment if convicted. Sohail understands the complexities of defending a murder or manslaughter charge and has an extensive contact list of highly specialised expert witnesses who can provide evidence on blood splatter, DNA, weapons, and the deceased's cause of death. He will advise you on the range of partial defences available, for example, in the case of murder, diminished responsibility, loss of control, or a suicide pact, as well as full defences to murder and manslaughter such as self-defence and automatism.
Assault, Battery, and Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH)
Assault, battery, and GBH are serious criminal offences that can result in a prison sentence if you are convicted. To convict you, the prosecution must prove, beyond reasonable doubt, that you intentionally or recklessly committed the assault or battery. Although assault is used ubiquitously to describe violence against a person, in legal terms, assault refers to a situation where the complainant believes a violent act was about to be committed against them. Battery refers to the offence of a violent act actually being committed.
Drug offences
Sohail can provide specialist advice and representation on all offences contained in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, including:
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Possession.
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Possession with intent to supply.
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Production cultivation or manufacture.
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Supplying another person.
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Offering to supply another person.
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Allowing a premises to be utilised for the consumption (cannabis or opium only), supply or production of illegal drugs.
Defending drug offences requires an experienced Criminal Defence Solicitor to advise and represent you because cross-border criminal investigations and proceeds of crime proceedings often tie in with the criminal charges. Sohail will neatly cut through to the heart of the prosecution's case. You can be confident that your chances of gaining an acquittal or reduced sentence are greatly improved by instructing him to advise and represent you.
Firearms
There is an extensive range of firearms offences, and with nearly two decades of criminal law experience, Sohail has defended clients on most of them. You must have a valid firearms licence to carry, purchase, or acquire by other means (for example, being gifted an antique firearm) such a weapon. It is vital that you engage Sohail if you are charged with a firearms offence as custodial sentences of between five and ten years are common if you are convicted.
Terrorism
Terrorism is defined under section 1 of the Terrorism Act 2000 as an act that is designed to influence a government or international organisation or intimidate the public to advance a political, religious, racial, or ideological cause. Being prosecuted for a terrorism offence is extremely serious and can come with the added pressure of intense media interest. Sohail can manage all aspects of your case, including constructing and presenting a solid defence in your favour and managing the press.
Burglary
Burglary is where a person enters a building intending to steal property, cause grievous bodily harm to someone in the building, or damage the building itself. Aggravated burglary occurs when a person enters a building with a weapon intending to steal, commit GBH, or damage property. Both charges are severe, with burglary carrying a custodial sentence of a maximum of 14 years.
Theft and robbery
Theft, governed by the Theft Act 1968, is a wide-ranging offence that encompasses everything from multi-million-pound heists to shoplifting (low-value shoplifting up to £200 is no longer investigated by the police but you can still be prosecuted in the Magistrates' Court). Robbery is stealing from a person using force or where the person believes force will be used against them. Sohail is experienced in all aspects of theft, robbery, and burglary offences and will provide you with the expert advice and representation required to secure the best outcome possible.
Human trafficking and modern slavery
Human trafficking and modern slavery involve the exploitation of vulnerable people through violence, coercion, deception, abduction, and/or the abuse of power. Prosecuting these crimes often involves ascertaining evidence from abroad; therefore, it is vital to instruct an experienced Criminal Law Solicitor to defend you.
Magistrates' Court and Crown Court
Sohail has extensive experience advising and representing clients in both the Magistrates' Court and Crown Court. Meticulously organised and prepared, he has a reputation for diamond-sharp focus when presenting defence evidence and cross-examining witnesses for the prosecution. Sohail will advise you from the beginning of your case, starting at the police station. He will guide you through the pleading stage and inform you how your case is progressing. Unlike many other Criminal Defence Solicitors, Sohail manages every aspect of his clients' cases himself, and you can trust that he will be there for you at every stage.
If you need advice and representation regarding a criminal law offence, please email Sohail immediately: