Penny Hall

Penny is a criminal practitioner with vast experience of defending a wide range of criminal allegations. She qualified as a solicitor is 2009 practising regularly in the Police Station, Magistrates Court and Crown Court. Since transferring to the Bar in 2017, Penny has been led in homicide cases and has defended a wide range of complex criminal cases including drug conspiracy, firearms, violence, dishonesty, and serious sexual allegations. She was called to the Bar in 2017 and continues to practise exclusively in crime.
More recently Penny has prosecuted cases in the Crown Court, accepting instructions from the Local Authority and the Crown Prosecution Service. Penny is a Grade 2 prosecutor.
Penny also accepts instructions from soldiers facing allegations before the Military Court. She has previously defended at a Court Martial at Catterick Garrison, most notably securing an acquittal for a high ranking soldier following a 5 day Trial.
Penny is interested in all criminal cases and is known for her preparation and client care.

Notable Cases

Gateshead Council v Crake (2022)

Prosecuting a local businessman for fraudulent trading where numerous victims had paid for home improvements which were either not carried out, or were substandard. Mr C pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 5 years 5 months imprisonment and was disqualified from acting as a Director for 10 years.

R v Gunning (2022)

Defending a man charged with historic sexual offences. Mr G was acquitted of all counts.

R v Baldwin (2021)

Successful appeal to the Court of Appeal in respect of a Restraining Order imposed on acquittal. Reported case which addresses the procedure that ought to be followed when such an Order is requested.

R v G (2021)

Defending a youth with learning difficulties who was charged with Causing Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent. Mr G asserted he had been wrongly identified. He was acquitted by the jury.

R v Batey (2019)

Defending a female charged with Causing Serious Injury by Dangerous Driving. Miss B was acquitted of this charge and convicted of Careless Driving.

R v Carey (2019)

Junior counsel led by John Elvidge QC defending a female with significant mental health difficulties, who was deemed unfit to stand trial. Ms Carey had been charged with murder where the body had been dismembered. She was found by a jury to have committed the act.

R v Stephenson (2019)

Defending in a multi-handed drug conspiracy involving the supply of a variety of class A drugs in the Northumberland area.

R v Duggan (2019)

Defending a male charged with serious sexual offences against a very young child. Mr D was acquitted by the jury.