Thom is a barrister specialising in criminal, human rights and public law.
On 13 September 2018 Thom spoke to the Young Legal Aid Lawyers on the subject of his appeals work and miscarriages of justice, together with Suzanne Gower, the Managing Director of the Centre for Criminal Appeals.
Thom and Suzanne were joined by Liam Allan, who spoke about his new project, ‘Innovation of Justice’.
The talk was kindly hosted by 39 Essex Chambers.
The Court of Appeal today overturned a sentence imposed for serious and repeated breaches of a restraining order. Mr O’Hagan, who was represented by Thom, sought to appeal his sentence on the basis that, in light of the recent case of R v Holgate [2017] EWCA Crim 638, it was manifestly excessive for the judge to have taken a starting point of 27 months’ imprisonment.
The Court of Appeal agreed with Thom’s submissions and reduced Mr O’Hagan’s sentence to one of 12 months’ imprisonment, which means that Mr O’Hagan will no longer be subject to further licence conditions.
The appeal was heard before Lord Justice Irwin, Sir Kenneth Parker and HHJ Aubrey QC.
Thom was instructed by GT Stewart Solicitors.
Thom is instructed frequently to both advise and represent clients in appeals to the High Court and Court of Appeal. For more information as to his appellate practice, click here.
