Work undertaken by the Criminal team includes advising people requiring assistance at the Police Station, dealing with non police interviews (for instance benefit fraud being investigated by the Department of Work and Pensions and by the Local Authority), representation in criminal proceedings before Magistrates Courts, Youth Courts, the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal, together with all aspects of Prison Law including Adjudication Hearings, Parole Hearings and Lifer Review cases.

We are personable and approachable with a clear focus on endeavouring to ensure high quality representation, where possible, by the same advocate throughout.

The team is headed by Alan Parsons the firm’s senior partner with 30 years experience in Criminal Law. Alan specialises in all types of criminal work at Court and at the Police Station. Alan is both a Court Duty and a Police Station Duty Solicitor.

Paul Dentith, a partner in the firm undertakes heavyweight criminal cases in particular at the Crown Court. Paul has a substantial following at the Youth Court. Paul is a Solicitor Advocate and can represent clients at the Police Station, the Magistrates Court, the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal. Paul is also a Court Duty and Police Station Duty Solicitor.

Niall Brooks is a Solicitor Advocate able to represent defendants at the Police Station, the Magistrates Court and the Crown Court. Niall is a Court Duty and Police Station Duty Solicitor. Niall specialises in handling the firm’s Prison Law cases including a full range of representation in all types of such cases including Adjudications, Parole Hearings/Reviews Lifer Panels and Judicial Review applications.

Owen Evans who is also a partner within the firm is a qualified Police Station and Court Duty Solicitor with many years experience of the same.

Anthony Gilles is a Legal Executive Advocate of almost 20 years experience with sound knowledge of Crown Court work and advising suspects at the Police Station. Anthony is also able to represent defendants at the Magistrates Court.

The firm holds a Criminal Contract with the Legal Services Commission, which means that subject to financial eligibility the firm will represent clients in all criminal proceedings with the benefit of a Legal Aid Representation Order. Insofar as attendance at the Police Station is concerned this is not means tested and legal Aid is available free of charge for everyone, regardless of income or savings..

With the considerable experience offered by the Almy & Thomas Criminal team the firm prides itself upon achieving the best possible results for its clients in all types of Criminal and Prison Law cases.

Although formal office hours are between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday inclusive the firm offers a full service to clients in need of out of hours assistance both at the Police Station and at Court where appropriate.

General Enquiries:

Tel: 01803 299131
Fax: 01803 200399

Or send an online enquiry:

to Criminal Law Team
to Alan Parsons
to Paul Dentith
to Anthony Giles

Mobile Contacts:

Alan Parsons: 07738 637720
Paul Denith: 07956 141181