Mark Achurch

Mark prosecutes and defends in all areas of criminal litigation. He is a grade 3 prosecutor and frequently defends the young, vulnerable and those with learning difficulties.

Pupil of Shaun Smith at 1 High Pavement (1997-1998), thereafter a tenant at these chambers exclusively prosecuting and defending in crime.

Mark’s major practice areas are:

• Drug offences
• Sexual offences including rape
• Serious violent crime
• Organised Crime

Reported Cases:

In Regina v Mitchell Verne Greenwood, William Mitchell Greenwood [2005] EWCA Crim 2686, a conspiracy to reactivate deactivated firearms, Mark earned his red bag for his junior role in the prosecution.

Defended in R. v Wilson (Steven Patrick) Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) [2005] EWCA Crim 3509. Appeal against sentence for possession of drugs with intent to supply.

Defended in R. v Revell (Adam John) Court of Appeal (Criminal Division), [2006] 2 Cr. App. R. (S.) 95. Appeal against sentence in a quadruple death by dangerous driving,.

Defended in R. v Thurston (Lee Robert) Court of Appeal (Criminal Division), [2010] EWCA Crim 2421. 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.

Responded for the Crown in R. v Baxter (Jason) Court of Appeal (Criminal Division), [2011] EWCA Crim 974. ‘Fresh evidence’ appeal against conviction overturning convictions for sexual activity with a child where the Defendant was 20 years old and the complainant 13.

Other notable cases:

2011 – Defended in R-v- Sandhu in 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.

2011 – Prosecuting Operation Kern: a series of cases/multiple defendants for paying for the sexual services of children where the complainants come from troubled backgrounds.

2011 – Prosecution of Colin Goodwin for 7 counts of historic rape (1970’s) before Mr Justice Calvert-Smith. Convictions – 14 years.

Mark appears regularly in Derby Crown Court, Nottingham Crown Court, Lincoln Crown Court and Leicester Crown Court.

Mark is a member of the Criminal Bar Association. He 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.

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.