Mark
Achurch
Mark prosecutes cases concerning the young, vulnerable and those with learning difficulties.
CPS Grade 3 RASSO Prosecutor
Member of the Criminal Bar Association
"A practitioner with strong support" The Legal 500
Mark
Achurch
Mark is an incredibly well respected RASSO prosecutor and has dedicated his practice to this very difficult field.
A Pupil of Shaun Smith (now HHJ Smith) at No. 1 High Pavement (1997-1998), thereafter a tenant at these Chambers exclusively prosecuting and defending in crime.
Mark appears regularly in Derby Crown Court, Nottingham Crown Court, Lincoln Crown Court and Leicester Crown Court.
Mark assists with the judging of the Number 1 High Pavement Mitigation Competition for BVC students and sometimes assists as a judge in the National Schools’ Mock Trial Competition.
Other Interests
In his spare time Mark is a keen golfer and a member at the Notts Golf Club (Hollinwell) – handicap 5. He is progressing with his off-piste skiing and in June 2011 summited Mont Blanc.
Reported Cases
R v Greenwood and Greenwood (2005)
EWCA Crim 2686. A conspiracy to reactivate deactivated firearms, Mark earned his red bag for his junior role in the prosecution.
R v Wilson (2005) (Defence)
EWCA Crim 3509. Court of Appeal: Appeal against sentence for possession of drugs with intent to supply.
R v Revell (2006) (Defence)
2 Cr. App. R. (S.) 95. Appeal against sentence in a quadruple death by dangerous driving.
R v Thurston (2010) (Defence)
EWCA Crim 2421. Court of Appeal: The Appellant was accused of being a member of an organized crime group committing thefts, burglaries (commercial and dwelling) and armed robberies in the Sheffield area. He was acquitted of the conspiracy to commit commercial burglaries after a successful half time submission during the six-week trial. The Court of Appeal allowed his appeal against conviction and sentence in respect of a further count.
R v Baxter (2011)
EWCA Crim 974. Court of Appeal: ‘Fresh evidence’ appeal against conviction overturning convictions for sexual activity with a child where the Defendant was 20 years old and the complainant 13.
Notable Cases
R v Sandhu (2011) (Defence)
Multiple conspiracies to supply class A and B drugs where the Crown alleged that the defendants were members of an organized crime group. Evidence in the case ran to over 13,000 pages.
Operation Kern (2011) (Prosecution)
A series of cases/multiple defendants for paying for the sexual services of children where the complainants come from troubled backgrounds.
R v Goodwin (2011) (Prosecution)
7 counts of historic rape (1970’s) before Mr Justice Calvert-Smith. Convictions – 14 years.
