David Holborn is a former senior Police Officer. He has extensive experience of major investigations as a Detective. Furthermore, he has particular experience and interest in covert policing, having been seconded to the Special Operations Section at New Scotland Yard. He has recently been involved in the national training of undercover Police Officers. He has appeared as a leading junior in a number of complex cases involving major undercover operations dealing with large scale conspiracies to sell drugs and firearms
He was accredited to investigate serious and complex frauds by the Home Office, and investigated a number of major frauds whilst a member of the Fraud Squad. He has used that experience when dealing with large fraud cases at the Bar. For some years he maintained a civil practice. In the context of fraud that experience is particularly relevant in cases of corporate fraud where there is often a cross-over. He is currently instructed in a large fraud involving the Directors and Managers of a Care Home where it is alleged that the resident’s money was appropriated.
He prosecutes and defends and has led for the Crown and the Defence in a number of serious cases. He has co-defended with and appeared against Queen's Counsel either alone or as a leading junior in the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal. As well as bringing his police experience to bear in cases involving undercover policing methods, he has also appeared for both the Crown and the Defence in trials involving the most serious sexual offences and abuse on children. He appeared for one of the main defendants in the Stansted Aircraft hijack.
As a former prosecutor before the Bar Council Disciplinary Tribunal and subsequently a member of the Bar Standards Board Complaints Committee he has considerable experience in disciplinary tribunal matters. He has represented Police Officers at disciplinary hearings.
David was appointed a Recorder of the Crown Court in 2006 and a Fee-Paid Judge to the Restricted Patients Panel in 2011. He is a Grade 4 Advocate (the highest rank) for the Crown Prosecution Service.
David is a Fellow of the Institute of Continuing Professional Development.
He has appeared as leading Junior Counsel in a number of murder cases:
- Regina v Scamp (2010)
- Regina v Barnes and Broomfield (2010)
- Regina v Sayid (2009)
- Regina v Reilly (2009)
- Regina v Pearson (2009)
- Regina v Clifton and Knight (2007)
- Regina v Tammy Fletcher (2007, Trial and Court of Appeal)
- Regina v Lee Sullivan (2007)
- Regina v Darren Cullen (2004, Court of Appeal and Retrial)
- Regina v Jamal James (2001)
