email: info@sgkllp.com call: 020 7734 9700
Email: a.terry@sgkllp.com Secure email: a.terry@sgkllp.com.cjsm.net Office: 020 7734 9700 Direct dial: 020 3167 6465
Abbie brings meticulous attention to detail and a genuine commitment to her clients, providing a high-quality service at what is often an incredibly difficult time.
Abbie has built her practice entirely within criminal defence, following a specialist route to qualification. She is an accredited police station representative and regularly attends to advise clients in custody, ensuring they receive expert legal support and advice from the outset.
She represents both privately funded and legally aided clients across the Magistrates' Court and Crown Court, handling a broad range of offences including drugs, fraud, theft, assault at all levels including GBH, sexual offences, and other serious matters.
Abbie also has particular experience representing young people in criminal proceedings, regularly conducts prison visits, and assists counsel at court.
Abbie additionally advises private clients on pre-charge engagement, working directly with the police and Crown Prosecution Service before any formal charges are brought, with the aim of influencing charging decisions or avoiding charge altogether.
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R v MU Snaresbrook Crown Court
MU was charged with cruelty to a person under 16 years of age. An international client, the matter was transferred to our firm, whereupon Abbie secured a successful bail application on his behalf. She subsequently instructed both counsel and a leading pathologist as an expert witness, and served the defence statement. The prosecution thereafter offered no evidence, having concluded that there was no realistic prospect of conviction, and MU was duly acquitted of all charges.
R v AA Croydon Crown Court
AA was one of three company directors charged by Trading Standards with fraudulent trading to the value of approximately £1 million — a case that attracted national media attention, including coverage on BBC Radio 4. Through careful negotiation, AA pleaded to the significantly lesser offence of contravening the requirements of professional diligence and received a suspended sentence, thereby avoiding the far more serious consequences of a fraud conviction.
R v DR Inner London Crown Court
DR faced multiple charges, including threatening with a knife, criminal damage, child neglect, and assault. Following a thorough review of the evidence, DR pleaded guilty to all charges save for criminal damage, which the prosecution agreed to leave on file. Abbie prepared detailed representations and mitigation on DR's behalf, successfully persuading the court that exceptional circumstances applied so as to avoid the mandatory six-month custodial sentence for a second knife offence. DR received a suspended sentence — a highly favourable outcome in what were otherwise very serious circumstances.
R v MG Bromley Magistrates Court
MG was charged with possession of a bladed article in a public place and possession of a Class B drug. Abbie prepared comprehensive mitigation on MG's behalf, successfully persuading the court that exceptional circumstances applied such that the usual mandatory six-month custodial sentence for a second knife offence was not warranted. The court instead sentenced MG to a 12-month Community Order with 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days — a significantly more favourable outcome. In respect of the cannabis charge, MG received a low-level fine.