Tom Worden
Tom represents clients charged with a wide range of criminal offences including drug trafficking offences, robbery, serious assaults, burglary, firearms offences and perverting the course of justice.
Tom has been praised by a Crown Court judge for the ‘robust and effective’ manner in which he cross-examines witnesses. A solicitor recently described Tom as ‘an excellent advocate and a delight to instruct’. Clients have said he is friendly and compassionate while always fighting to achieve the best possible result for them.
Tom has represented vulnerable clients including children as young as 12 and adults with mental health problems including autism spectrum disorder, paranoid schizophrenia and psychosis.
He has defended clients prosecuted by local education authorities and the RSPCA and has successfully opposed the imposition of Criminal Behaviour Orders.
He is also instructed in confiscation proceedings and appears at the Court Martial defending members of the Armed Forces.
Tom also prosecutes and is on the CPS Advocate Panel for General Crime at Level One.
Tom was called to the Bar in 2017 following a successful career as a journalist.
Practice Areas
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Asset Forfeiture & Confiscation
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R v R – Folkestone Magistrates’ Court. Representing a client in complex enforcement proceedings with available amount of £3.3m (including a tainted gift and hidden assets) and a default term of eight years.
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Criminal Defence
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R v L (Lewes Crown Court) – L was arrested in possession of numerous wraps of cocaine and ketamine, a ‘burner’ phone with outgoing drug dealing messages and a knife. Found not guilty of possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs after trial.
R v S (Northampton Crown Court) – Successful submission of no case to answer on one count of attempted burglary and one of burglary. The jury unanimously found S not guilty on another count of burglary.
R v N (Sheffield Crown Court)– N was convicted after trial of possession of a firearm as a prohibited person (having previous convictions for preparing terrorist acts and possession of a firearm). He was sentenced to two years in prison following submissions in mitigation regarding his diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
R v J (Chelmsford Crown Court)– successful appeal against conviction for a domestic assault by beating on a former partner, where the complainant and a friend both gave evidence for the prosecution.
R v B (Chelmsford Crown Court) – B pleaded guilty to PWITS Class A, having two previous Class A drug trafficking convictions. Sentenced to three-and-a-half years imprisonment following submissions in mitigation.
R v E (Croydon Crown Court) – E, who had three previous convictions for violence, appealed a sentence of 20 weeks’ custody for an assault by beating on a nightclub doorman. His sentence was reduced to a 12-month community order with a drug rehabilitation requirement.
R v Q (Southend Youth Court) –Q was accused of attempted burglary and handling £19,000-worth of stolen goods. The Crown served cell site evidence, phone records, ANPR and CCTV all said to incriminate Q, who was acquitted of both counts following a submission of no case to answer.
R v G (City of London Magistrates’ Court) – G, who had 13 previous convictions for burglary, stood accused of attempted burglary after two witnesses saw him climb scaffolding and smash the window on the third floor of a house in Fulham. He was acquitted after trial.
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Criminal Prosecution
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R v R – (Oxford magistrates’ court) – Prosecution of a transphobic hate crime under section 4A of the Public Order Act 1986 and assault by beating on an emergency worker. R was convicted of both offences after trial.
R v B (Luton magistrates’ court) – Prosecution of a racially aggravated public order offence under section 4A Public Order Act 1986 and obstructing a police officer. B was convicted of both offences after trial.
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Military & Courts Martial
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R v J (Catterick Military Court for sentence) – J, an Army explosives expert, failed to properly dispose of 2kg of gunpowder, causing an accident which left a fellow soldier with ‘appalling’ burns to his face. J avoided prison and was demoted by one rank after pleading guilty to negligent performance of a duty.
Professional Memberships
Criminal Bar Association
The South Eastern Circuit
Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
Grade 1 CPS Counsel
Awards, Qualifications & Other
BPTC – University of Law (Outstanding)
GDL – University of Law (Distinction)
MSc International Relations – LSE
BA History – LSE (2:1)
Winner of the 25 Bedford Row/University of Law Plea in Mitigation Competition 2017
Runner up in the Times/Kingsley Napley Student Advocacy Competition 2016
BPTC Advocacy Scholarship – University of Law 2016
Fluent in Spanish