David Hatton Q.C.

Call: 1976 Grey's Inn

Education: LLB (Hons) Manchester

Silk: 1996

Recorder: 1995

Introduction

Mr Hatton has extensive experience in all aspects of criminal law and has particular specialities in Homicide, Fraud, cases involving alleged sexual abuse and cases involving medical and mental health issues. Mr Hatton also practices in Health & Safety (lecturing experience in this field), Personal Injury and Professional and Clinical Negligence. Recommended in Legal 500 2011-12 (Crime): as a “formidable advocate”

Recent and significant cases

• R v Abazahour and another [Central Criminal Court] - Murder (contract shooting);
• R v Jones and another [Manchester Crown Court] - Attempted murder and soliciting murder. Juvenile who arranged for his own killing by stabbing via an internet chat room;
• R v Mayne [Teesside Crown Court] - Series of historical rapes and acts of indecency upon children by author of children’s books
• R v Webster and others [Leeds Crown Court] - Conspiracy to defraud the Inland Revenue. Issues (inter alia) of Corporation Tax and accountancy practice
• R v Coleman and others [Prosecution, Leeds Crown Court] - Conspiracy to defraud, fraudulent trading and money laundering. Issues (inter alia) of VAT and company trusts abroad
• R v Shannon and others [Worcester Crown Court] - Conspiracy to import Class A drugs. Issues (inter alia) concerning covert telephone tapping
• R v Cole [Prosecution, Central Criminal Court] - Murder. First, or one of the first occasions that statutory “bad character” provisions fell for consideration
• R v Wood and others [Hull Crown Court] - Manslaughter (Defendant one of 3 serving police officers charged with manslaughter by gross negligence). Issues (inter alia) of the extent of duties of care of Police Officers and the effects of procyclidine
• R v Sandham and others [Prosecution, Leeds Crown Court] - Murder (the Todmorden “witch” murder)
• R v Tarren [Teesside Crown Court] - Rape and causing prostitution (wife)
• R v Loram and others [Leeds Crown Court] - Male rape and abduction by sale of boy to members of a paedophile ring
• R v Barnes [Leeds Crown Court] - Rape. Complex medical and fitness to plead issues
• R v Wharton [Leeds Crown Court] - Murder. Issue as to whether the killer was the Defendant or the principle Prosecution witness
• R v Priestley [Bradford Crown Court] - Counterfeiting of perfume and champagne. Complex confiscation issues
• R v Suliaskas [Snaresbrook] – Rape and false imprisonment – Sale of Eastern European girls for prostitution. Important issues concerning the adducing of previous acquittals and adducing evidence of previous offending (not previously prosecuted) by  hearsay evidence.
• R v Khan & Others [Prosecution, Bradford Crown Court] – Murder. Issues of anonymity and ballistics. Was engaged in the first prosecution in the Crown Court pursuant to the Data Protection Act (on behalf of a prominent building society).Was engaged in what is believed to be the first (and only) prosecution for murder based on the evidence of earprint.

Associations:

Criminal Bar Association
North Eastern Circuit
Master of the Bench (Grey's Inn)