Anthony Horsfall

Anthony Horsfall joined Lincoln House Chambers in November 2023.

Anthony enjoys a busy criminal practice and spends the large majority of his time in the Crown Court defending and prosecuting in cases spanning the full spectrum of criminal offences. Anthony gained extensive experience in criminal and regulatory roles prior to being called to the Bar and this has resulted in him being well equipped to undertake very serious work that would otherwise be considered beyond his call. Notably, he has been instructed counsel in cases involving s.5 firearms, s.18s, arson reckless endangerment, the supply of Class A drugs, fraud and business offences, robbery and serious child sexual offences.

Anthony is a compelling and persuasive advocate and regularly appears in Crown Court trials. He enjoys a strong success rate both in jury trials and also in mitigating at sentence hearings, where he frequently secures outcomes that are well beyond the expectations of his professional and lay clients. Anthony also has experience of being led as junior, and is regularly specifically requested by senior members of Chambers due to his outstanding work ethic and his positive and useful contribution to the team.

As a Level 2 CPS prosecutor, Anthony is instructed to prosecute in a broad range of criminal cases before the Crown Court, including multi-handed cases. His Crown Court prosecution experience also  extends into regulatory work, acting on behalf of the Insolvency Service and Information Commissioner’s Office in document-heavy cases.

In addition to his criminal case load Anthony also appears before the Coroners’ Court.

Anthony is a member of the Attorney General’s Junior Junior Scheme.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Anthony worked for a number of years at two ‘Magic Circle’ law firms, where he specialised in risk management and anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance. He was graded ‘Outstanding’ in the Bar Course and was Called to the Bar as a Middle Temple Major Scholar.

NOTABLE CASES

R v AH – Defendant faced multiple charges relating to the possession of a s.5 handgun, a shotgun and compatible ammunition. Following negotiation, the Crown accepted a plea on a basis to carrying a firearm in a public place (shotgun alone). Defendant ultimately sentenced to serve only 6 weeks beyond his time on remand.

R v LS – 2x Attempted s.18 – Defendant acquitted following a successful submission of ‘no case to answer’ touching on joint enterprise and intent.

R v LH – Defendant faced charges of arranging the commission of a child sexual offence (rape) and attempted sexual communications with a child. Following lengthy negotiations, the Crown agreed to accept a plea to the lesser offence. Defendant ultimately sentenced to serve only 2.5 weeks beyond his time on remand.

R v JD – Currently instructed to represent a defendant in relation to several allegations of historic sexual assaults against his then step-daughter when she was 10 years old.

R v CH – s.18 – Defendant pleaded guilty on the day of trial in relation to his involvement in a machete attack that left the victim with numerous very serious injuries. The defendant had multiple previous convictions for violence and had also appeared in a ‘drill’ music video which glorified knife violence and had been filmed, in part, at the scene of the offence. Sentenced to 4 years, 3 months.

R v KT – Defendant faced charges of s.18 and robbery relating to 2 separate incidents. Discussions with the Crown resulted in acceptable pleas to s.20 and theft. Defendant received a 18-month suspended sentence.

R v PT – s.20 – Defendant acquitted by a jury. Complainant sustained multiple shin bone fractures following a struggle with the defendant outside the defendant’s home address.

R v GM – s.20 – Defendant acquitted by a jury. The case involved a complainant who suffered serious head injuries whilst alone with the defendant at home.

R v JH – Sexual assault by penetration on a child under 16 and 2 further sexual assaults on the same victim. Defendant pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 2 years, 3 months.

R v DA – Threats with an offensive weapon in a private place. Defendant acquitted by a jury following close cross-examination of the complainant.

R v NB (and ors) – Defendant faced charges of violent disorder and possession of a bladed article following an incident in which a man sustained serious injuries. Negotiation with the Crown resulted in an acceptable plea to criminal damage. Defendant sentenced to a 28-day curfew as part of a 12-month community order.

R v  TE – Sentencing of a defendant in relation to an offence of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (3x offences), alongside offences of burglary and possession of a bladed article. All offences were committed on separate occasions, with the latter 2 offences committed whilst on bail for the drugs matters. Defendant received a 2-year suspended sentence.

R v JF – Defendant faced 2 counts of robbery and possession of a bladed article (which the defendant presented in the course of one of the incidents). The Crown accepted pleas to robbery, theft and the bladed article. Defendant received a 2-year suspended sentence.