Encro – Money Laundering – Suspended Sentence

Legal Representation Transition: From Legal Aid to Private Basis

UT instructed Shuby Murria of Newton Law Practice, and his barrister, Mr Alex Di Francesco on a private paying basis. He was initially represented by a firm of Solicitors in London on legal aid. However, he had full confidence in Shuby Murria and Alex Di Francesco following the first conference and requested his legal aid be revoked. Selecting the right team is very important and can make all the difference.

Charges and Prosecution’s Case Against UT

Shuby Murria represented UT in proceedings before Kingston upon Thames Crown Court. UT faced a number of charges relating to money laundering. It was the Prosecution’s case that UT was a member of a major OCG based in the London area. The main evidence against UT was messages obtained from the Encro hack. UT was a user of an Encro device and was involved in collections and deliveries of large sums of money. The Prosecution’s figure was approximately £500,000.00, and that UT had been involved for a significant amount of time.

Strategic Defense, Basis of Plea, and Mitigation Efforts

Due to the careful, and diligent work, conducted by Shuby Murria, UT pleaded guilty to the charges on a Basis of Plea which the Prosecution would eventually agree to. At an earlier stage the Prosecution did not agree with the Basis of Plea, which had been entered and the case was heading towards a Newton hearing. However, following detailed representations being sent to the CPS, drafted by Shuby Murria, the Prosecution eventually agreed that the Basis of Plea entered was consistent with the evidence.

Shuby Murria with the assistance of UT’s family was able to collate a mitigation bundle which contained various documents relating to UT, his family, and references from friends and family.

Court Representation and Sentencing Outcome

Alex Di Francesco (25 Bedford Row) was the barrister instructed by Shuby Murria. On 24th August 2023 at the sentence hearing Alex Di Francesco was able to persuade the Judge to deal with UT by way of a suspended sentence. UT was sentenced on the basis that his case was a Category 4 case, and was Medium Culpability (Sentencing Guidelines – Money Laundering). The Starting point being 3 years custody. Following the mitigation advanced by Alex Di Francesco the Judge imposed a sentence of 22 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years. UT and his family were extremely grateful for all of the hard work which had been undertaken by Shuby Murria and Alex Di Francesco.