Year of Call: 1983
Clerk: Nigel East
Roger joined 9 Park Place in May 2012, from Temple Chambers in Cardiff. A Grade 4 CPS Prosecutor with almost 30 years experience as a criminal barrister, he now specialises in matters of the utmost gravity including murder and other serious offences of violence, complex drug conspiracies, fraud and serious sexual offences.
Roger also deals with covert surveillance cases involving the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. He is often instructed in cases involving the Serious Organised Crime Agency, Regional Asset Recovery Team and the Wales Complex Casework Unit. He regularly appears before the Court of Appeal, in particular in relation to matters concerning the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. He appeared in the last Welsh appeal conviction in the House of Lords.
Chambers UK 2022 reports that Roger has a particular specialism in covert surveillance cases.
In previous editions of Chambers UK Roger is noted as being "...well respected and favoured in drugs conspiracy work". "Roger is meticulous in his preparation." They comment that "he has an excellent reputation in drugs cases and is very knowledgeable on the subject matter." His strengths are noted as "An efficient, experienced and effective criminal barrister." and "Has a gentle style and is well prepared."
Some of Roger’s most notable cases include Operation Compass (2008): where he prosecuted a Vietnamese drugs gang for killing a worker who had lost a cannabis crop and Operation Ghana (2005) where he prosecuted, as leading junior, twenty defendants engaged in a large scale heroin dealing operation on a housing estate.
R. v Allpress and Others [2009] EWCA Crim 8 where the Court of Appeal considered the impact of the House of Lords ruling in May on money launderers. Operation Atlanta (2009) where he prosecuted as leading junior a large scale heroin conspiracy. Operation Switch in 2010/2011 Roger obtained the first Serious Crime Prevention Order in Wales against a defendant in a large scale Cocaine conspiracy.
Foster and Foster where he obtained confiscation orders against two defendants who obtained a large amount of money from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau where they worked. The issues included trust and land law issues in both France and Wales. In R v M (2011) Roger acted as junior counsel for a father in a baby shaking death.
Roger also acts as a legal adviser to police disciplinary panels and regularly lectures on the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. He was educated at Brynteg Comprehensive School in Bridgend before going on to study at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth and Inns of Court School of Law.
