Call: 2001

Areas of Expertise: Crime

Frances Hertzog is a defence practitioner specialising in serious organised crime and is regularly instructed alone or as leading junior in large scale drugs, firearms and explosives conspiracies (both national and international), homicide, terrorism and fraud cases.

 

She is regularly instructed in cases involving complex telephony and forensic evidential matters and is adept in dealing with cases involving mass data (multi terabytes).

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Notable cases:

 

Terrorism:

 

R v H

Led junior where defendant charged with multiple counts of terrorism offences including encouraging others to commit or prepare acts of terrorism. 16 TB of data seized.

 

R v G

Sole junior for defendant said to be in possession of material likely to be of use for terrorist purposes. Involved the analysis of 11TB of data. Three-week trial at the Old Bailey.

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Homicide:

 

R v B

Sole junior for defendant said to be involved in organised crime group responsible for the attempted murder of vulnerable individual. Involved the cross-examination of a youth with complex mental health and learning difficulties by way of the s.28 procedure.

 

R v L

Led junior in high profile ‘Brookside Murder’. Six-week trial resulting in a hung jury. Crown did not proceed further.

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Explosives:

 

R v W

Leading junior for first defendant charged with conspiracy to possess explosives for an unlawful purpose. Defendant said to have organised the planting of a hand grenade underneath a vehicle associated with a rival Organised Crime Group. Six-week trial. Acquitted.

 

R v W

Led junior: defence of multi-handed conspiracy to cause explosions and conspiracy to burgle involving the theft of ATM machines throughout England and Scotland. 4-month trial.

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Drug Trafficking:

 

R v M

Sole junior for the first defendant charged with the importation of multi-kilos of cocaine. Acquitted.

 

R v M

Led junior: VHCC defence of multi-handed conspiracy to evade the prohibition on the importation and exportation of Class A drugs. FBI led investigation into trading on the dark web’s Silk Road site. Involved the review and analysis of 3 terabytes of data.

 

R v W

Sole junior: defence of multi-handed conspiracy to supply Class A drugs throughout England, Wales and Scotland.

 

R v C               

Sole junior: defence of multi-handed conspiracy involving the seizure of in excess of 200kg of paracetamol and caffeine to be used in the adulteration of heroin. Acquitted. Proceedings stayed following 5 weeks of legal argument.

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Firearms:

 

R v B               

Sole junior: defence of multi-handed conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to cause fear of violence. Defendant said to have been participant in a gangland shooting.

 

R v M              

Led junior: defence of multi-handed conspiracy to possess firearms with intent. Defendant said to have been the shooter in a gangland revenge attack.

 

R v P

Sole junior: defence of first defendant in a multi-handed conspiracy to import firearms and ammunition from America. USA Homeland Security led investigation.

 

General Dishonesty:

 

R v S

Sole junior: defence of multi-handed conspiracy to steal and convert criminal property linked to conspiracy to cause explosions which involved theft of and from ATM machines throughout England.

 

R v O’D

Sole junior: defence of multi-handed conspiracy to steal and burgle. Organised crime group said to be involved in stealing high powered vehicles.

 

R v M

Sole junior: defence of multi-handed conspiracy to handle stolen goods. Organised Crime Group said to have been involved in the theft and conversion of millions of pounds worth of vehicles, plant and machinery.

 

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Fraud / White Collar Crime:

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R v S               

Sole junior, defence of multi-handed money laundering and tax fraud. Included review and analysis of extensive self-assessment applications and the applicability of the Construction Industry Scheme regulations.

 

R v H               

Led junior; VHCC defence of former Company Director accused of multi-million-pound mortgage fraud. Included review, analysis and scheduling of extensive mortgage application documentation, company records, company e-mail traffic and mortgage company procedure. Review of complex issues under POCA including inter alia extensive bankruptcy documentation.

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General Crime:

 

R v L               

Sole junior: defence of multi-handed conspiracy to kidnap, cause GBH with intent; blackmail. Acquitted. Three-week trial.

 

R v L               

Led junior: defence of multi-handed conspiracy to steal involving the hijacking of lorries. Acquitted. Three-week trial.

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