Daniel specialises in defending and prosecuting serious and complex crime. He has particular expertise in homicide, terrorism, large-scale fraud, organised crime and serious sexual offences. He is a Grade 4 Prosecutor on the CPS General Crime Panel and on the Specialist Panels for Serious Crime, Fraud and Counter Terrorism. He is also on the RASSO (Rape and Serious Sexual Offences) Panel. He is the Deputy Head of the Crime Group at No.5 Chambers.
Daniel is regularly instructed as sole or lead junior in the most serious Crown Court cases, including attempted murder, multi-defendant conspiracies and complex sexual offence trials. He also acts as junior counsel in the largest and most complex prosecutions, including murder, high-value fraud and terrorism cases.
In many of his cases the evidence is substantial and complex, requiring analysis of telecommunications and cell site material, CCTV, encrypted communications, digital devices and large volumes of financial records. His ability to quickly and efficiently read, digest and cross-reference vast quantities of material is a significant advantage in more complicated cases. Daniel’s technological expertise is well known on the Midland Circuit and he frequently provides training and assistance to other lawyers.
Daniel specialises in cases involving homicide, serious violence, organised crime and high-value fraud. His recent cases have included murder, multiple kilogram drug distribution, kidnap and torture, multi-million pound tax fraud, fabricated or induced illness (FII) child abuse, and causing death by dangerous driving.
In many of these cases the evidence was substantial and complex, requiring analysis of phone and cell site material, CCTV, and whole hard drives of digital evidence. His ability to quickly and efficiently read, digest and cross-reference vast quantities of material is a real advantage in more complicated cases. Daniel’s technological experience and ability is well known on the Midland Circuit and he frequently provides training and assistance to other lawyers.
Daniel is a Grade 4 prosecutor for the CPS including the Fraud, Confiscation and Serious Crime Specialist Panels. He has also been instructed to prosecute cases on behalf of the Treasury Solicitor, local authorities, MOD Police and the DVSA.
Murder and manslaughter prosecution arising from the death of an elderly victim. Multi-defendant case involving child defendants and issues such as secondary liability. Daniel was led junior counsel, responsible for drafting rebuttal evidence skeletons and bad character applications. The case raised complex issues concerning joint enterprise, special measures for child defendants and witnesses, and sentencing children.
Prosecution of an attempted murder involving twelve stab wounds. Complex issues concerning the admissibility of interview evidence under s.76 PACE (oppression and unreliability) and the defendant’s mental health, leading to a disposal under the Mental Health Act.
Four-defendant attempted murder and GBH s.18 prosecution arising from a group attack and the use of a vehicle as a weapon. Daniel was sole advocate throughout a ten-day trial, cross-examining multiple defendants and securing convictions.
Five-defendant attempted murder prosecution involving witness intimidation and complex issues of joint enterprise. Daniel was sole advocate throughout, managing the case against five defence teams. The main defendants were convicted of attempted murder and s.18 grievous bodily harm with intent.
Two-handed death by dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice prosecution. One defendant had raced along the A38(M) causing a high impact collision in queuing traffic, while the second had taken the first defendant away to evade the police and engaged in a long and dangerous chase. Both defendants were convicted and given lengthy sentences.
Successful prosecution of multiple stabbing case in Bedworth town centre including offences of wounding with intent (s.18 GBH). The case raised issues of fitness to plead under the Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 1964 and potential defences of insanity requiring cross examination of consultant psychiatrists.
Sole advocate prosecution of a terrorism offence under the Terrorism Act. Prosecution of two individuals involved in spreading extremist far-right material. The case involved issues of fitness to plead and a trial of the facts, alongside the substantive terrorism charges.
Prosecution junior in case involving an allegation of preparation of terrorist acts (s.5 Terrorism Act 2006). The defendant had planned to travel to Afghanistan with her children to join up with a terrorist organisation. The case involved complex digital evidence including encrypted communications, Telegram messaging, and VPN attribution, with multi-jurisdictional dimensions.
Large-scale VAT fraud prosecution involving eight defendants and a multi-year conspiracy in the clothing trade in Leicester. Daniel acted as leading junior, conducting advocacy including legal argument, cross-examination and sentencing. The case required analysis of complex financial records and revenue documentation in order to present it in a comprehensible way to a jury.
A 20-plus defendant prosecution arising from a large-scale cigarette smuggling and customs duty conspiracy. The case involved multiple defendants, extensive cross-examination, bad character applications, and confiscation proceedings. Daniel acted as prosecution junior counsel in multiple trials at Southwark Crown Court.
Fifteen-defendant County lines drug conspiracy (Class A and Class B). Daniel acted as leading junior, presenting the case across multiple trials, including cross-examination of defendants and sentencing hearings for all convicted defendants.
Prosecution of four counts of rape arising from sustained domestic violence. The case involved multi-layered bad character applications, a contested s.41 YJCEA application concerning sexual history, and detailed sentencing guideline analysis. Daniel was sole advocate, securing convictions on nine of ten counts.
Prosecution of multiple rapes of a child under 13, child abduction, sexual assault and other offences. The case received national and international attention and protests. Daniel was sole prosecution counsel. The case involved s.28 pre-recorded cross-examination, an intermediary, and ground rules hearings to protect the child victim. The defendant was convicted and received a 16 year sentence.
Prosecution of rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, sexual assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in a domestic violence context. Daniel was sole advocate, securing convictions on all six counts.
Prosecution of historic sexual abuse of a child. The case involved hearsay evidence, special measures and the particular challenges of presenting historic allegations. The defendant was convicted.
Defence of a client charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence (s.16A Firearms Act 1968) and threats to kill. Daniel successfully opposed prosecution bad character applications. The defendant was acquitted in a number of trials involving multiple counts of violence and firearms offences.
Defence in a rape trial at Derby Crown Court. There were two trials in which the jury were unable to agree in the first trial. The re-trial was prosecuted by King’s Counsel. The defendant was acquitted after the prosecution agreed to drop the case following a second hung jury.
Defence of a female defendant charged with false imprisonment, kidnap, s.18 GBH, administering noxious substances and burglary. This was a complex and troubling case involving allegations of torture. Advised on appeal against sentence, conducting detailed analysis of sentencing guidelines for false imprisonment and dangerousness provisions.
Daniel has appeared in the Court of Appeal on numerous occasions in successful appeals against both conviction and sentence.
In a defence appeal in a sexual abuse case, led by Michelle Heeley KC, Daniel drafted the advice and grounds of appeal. The conviction was overturned on the basis that the trial judge had failed to give a good character direction and had undermined the character evidence adduced by the defendant.
Successful defence appeal against sentence in a very high value professional burglary case involving multiple counts, where the Court of Appeal agreed that the judge adopted a starting point that was too high.
Daniel successfully opposed a highly technical appeal in relation to the validity of a prosecution based on whether a Serious Crime Prevention Order was lawfully in force.
Daniel Oscroft successfully prosecuted Ahmad Mulakhil, who has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment with one year on extended licence for the abduction and rape of…
Daniel Oscroft successfully prosecuted Mohammed Suffi, who has been sentenced to 11½ years’ imprisonment for causing grievous bodily harm with intent, as well as for…
"He is always coming up with ideas and works hard for the circuit."
"He is super intelligent, very creative and thinks outside the box."
"He's a great communicator: he's very good at breaking down quite complicated legal ideas and communicating them very effectively to all sorts of different lay clients."
Ranked in Band 2 Crime (Midlands)
"He is extremely hard-working and very bright."
"A good advocate who will stand his ground against a judge."
"He’s very intelligent and is able to assimilate huge quantities of material."
Daniel Oscroft successfully prosecuted Ahmad Mulakhil, who has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment with one year on extended licence for the abduction and rape of…
Daniel Oscroft successfully prosecuted Mohammed Suffi, who has been sentenced to 11½ years’ imprisonment for causing grievous bodily harm with intent, as well as for…
