Gemma White 560x670

Gemma White

Year of Call: 2009
Email Address: [email protected]
Telephone: 01962 868884

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Clerk Details

  • Clerk Name: Stuart Pringle
  • Clerk Telephone: 01962 868 884
  • Clerk Email: [email protected]

Crime

Gemma has been practising in general crime across the Western Circuit since 2007 when she worked as an advocate for the CPS. She completed pupillage with the Crown Prosecution Service before leaving in 2013 to come to the independent bar where she now has a well-balanced mixed prosecution and defence practice.

Prior to qualification, Gemma worked for a Local Authority in child protection, and as such has a particularly good rapport with young and vulnerable people, which she uses to ensure witnesses give their best evidence, and to make them feel as comfortable as possible with the court process. Given the current emphasis on handling young and vulnerable witnesses these skills ensure Gemma is able to deal with the most sensitive of cases; she has successfully completed the vulnerable witness training programme, and a significant proportion of her practice is devoted to defending the most vulnerable in society or prosecuting cases with very young witnesses.

Gemma has a deep understanding of criminal procedure and her practice encompasses the full range of offences with particular emphasis on complex multi-defendant drug conspiracies, serious sexual offences, dishonesty including fraud and POCA/money laundering, murder, serious violence and public order. Her practice has particular emphasis on cases with young or vulnerable witnesses or defendants, and she is regularly instructed to represent those with neurodiversity or complex learning or mental health difficulties.

Gemma has experience of dealing with complex and sensitive disclosure issues including Public Interest Immunity and is regularly instructed in cases involving Confiscation under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Recent Cases of Note: Drugs

  • R v Hibbert [2018] EWCA Crim 2047
  • Approved Counsel for Operation Venetic (Encrochat):
    • Operation Yealm [2025] Winchester Crown Court
    • Operation Scowl [2024] Southampton Crown Court
    • Operation Paperweight [2023] Bournemouth Crown Court
  • Operation Highwood (2021) Portsmouth Crown Court - led by Jodie Mittell - 9 handed conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, county lines from London to Sussex. Main defendant unfit to plead, complex disclosure matters. National Press Report here.
  • Operation Origin (2019) Prosecution Counsel 10 defendant Class A drug conspiracy - county lines
  • R v G (2018) Southampton Crown Court. Taking Drugs into prison - community order imposed
  • Operation Operative (2017) - Multi-handed drugs conspiracy involving the supply of an estimated £4.5 million of import grade cocaine. Press Reports here.
  • Operation Pretty (2016-2017):
    • Magic Network - prosecuting Counsel multi-handed conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and associated Money Laundering Offences
    • Kane Network - prosecuting Counsel supply Class A drugs
    • Scouse Network - Junior Prosecuting Counsel (led by Jodie Mittell) 8 handed conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and associated Money Laundering. Local Press Report for Op Pretty here.

Fatal and non-fatal Violence/Public Order

  • R v Martin [2017] EWCA Crim 648 - appeal against sentence to Court Martial Appeals Court
  • R v Gover (unreported) successful appeal against extended sentence.

Homicide

  • R v CC (2025 ongoing) unlawful act manslaughter/ wanton and furious driving. Elderly Pedestrian knocked over by cyclist on the pavement, died as result of injuries
  • Op Gateford (2024 ongoing) Murder/ bladed article (ongoing)
  • Operation Amaryllis [2024] Murder allegation, Newport (IOW) Crown Court - Led by Jo Martin KC. Murder
  • Operation Bridport [2023] Lewes Crown Court. Led by Caroline Carberry KC - 3 handed murder
  • R v BM [2021] representing 14-year-old charged with attempt murder. Acquitted
  • Operation Login [2019-2020] Junior counsel in high profile multi-handed complex murder, assisting and offender and conspiracy to supply Class A
  • Operation Rosette [2019] Winchester Crown Court. Junior counsel in murder committed by two brothers  (led by Adam Feest QC). BBC report here
  • Operation Manner [2019] Bristol Crown Court junior counsel (led by Adam Feest QC) in hit and run manslaughter. Case involved complex disclosure exercise and lengthy abuse of process arguments. BBC report here
  • Operation River [2017] Second led junior (led by Nigel Lickley QC and Jodie Mittell) in multi-handed murder and aggravated burglary following a botched burglary where victim shot. National press coverage here.

Non-Fatal Violence

  • R v Drew [2024] EWCA Crim 1537 - AG Ref
  • R v Marks [2024] EWCA Crim 1326 - AG Ref firearms offences
  • R v T [2023] EWCA Crim 41 - appeal against sentence
  • R v Martin [2017] EWCA Crim 648 - appeal against sentence to Court Martial Appeals Court
  • R v CL [2024] Southampton Crown Court. Defending mother charged with allowing 4 month old baby to be caused serious injury (multiple fractures). Significant disclosure failures argued which led to case being discontinued pre-trial
  • R v NP [2022] Southampton Crown Court. Defence Counsel for s18 where victim sustained brain injury following sustained domestic assault. Significant volume of bad character evidence successfully opposed
  • Operation Swallowtail Hove Crown Court [2022] leading Thomas Acworth - Prosecution of 3 youths for s18 which left victim with life altering brain injuries. Press reports here
  • R v H [2021] Winchester Crown Court. False imprisonment, possession of a firearm with intent, threats to kill and robbery. Press report here
  • R v S (2020) Southampton Crown Court. Wounding with intent x 2 (s.18 OAPA) Defence Trial Counsel for vulnerable Defendant suffering with severe bi-polar disorder. Local Press report here
  • R v L (2020) Southampton Crown Court. Defence Counsel for Defendant fit to plead but subject to Hospital Order with Restrictions for assault on worker at psychiatric unit where he resided
  • R v H (2020) Bournemouth Crown Court. Prosecution Counsel in arson where Defendant unfit and then fit to plead. Multiple previous offences for arson
  • R v G (2019) Southampton Crown Court. Defence Trial Counsel for allegation of wounding with intent. Acquitted after trial but guilty plea entered to s20 unlawful wounding. Sentence of 4 with extended licence years successfully appealed to Court of Appeal as manifestly excessive
  • R v D (2019) Portsmouth Crown Court. Defence Counsel for mother accused of false imprisonment, child cruelty and assault in relation to teenage son. Prosecution offered no evidence after submissions in relation to undermining unused material
  • R v H (2019) Portsmouth Crown Court. Defence Counsel for Defendant who was unfit to plead charged with intentionally/ recklessly endangering life through arson. As a result of psychiatric evidence obtained Crown accepted plea to simple arson
  • R v H (2019) Southampton Crown Court. Multiple Assaults on 3 year old child by father
  • R v R (2019) Southampton Crown Court. Child Cruelty. Defence Counsel in case involving allegations of child cruelty and assault by father and mother on two teenage daughters. Case required careful cross examination of girls, particularly given English was not their first language and one child had the assistance of an intermediary
  • R v C and H (2019) Southampton Crown Court. Prosecuting Counsel in multi-handed s.18 unlawful wounding case where victims sustained significant knife injuries including slash marks to the face. Local Press report here
  • R v G (2018) Bournemouth Crown Court. Defence Counsel in allegation of unlawful wounding with intent where Defendant had previously sustained Traumatic Brain Injury. CCTV showed Defendant snap pool cue in half and hit victim around the head. As a result of expert medical evidence obtained the Prosecution accepted a plea to a lesser offence and a suspended sentence was imposed
  • R v T (2018) Winchester Crown Court. Prosecuting Counsel in case involving allegations of domestic violence and coercive and controlling behaviour alleged against a serving police sergeant by a serving police constable. Sensitive and evidentially complex case. Local Press report here
  • R v W (2017) Southampton Crown Court. Child Cruelty and Assault - Allegation over sustained period of time. Involved cross examination of vulnerable complainant - Defence Trial Counsel Secured Acquittal.

Dishonesty

  • R v H (2020) Southampton Crown Court. Defence Counsel in two handed Aggravated Burglary involving multiple weapons
  • R v C (2020) Southampton Crown Court. Defence Counsel in Robbery. Issues of Abuse of Process because of delay in bringing case raised- Defendant was 15 at time of alleged offence and an adult at date of charge. Prosecution Offered no evidence
  • R v W (2020) Southampton Crown Court. Defence Counsel in robbery of 83 year old pensioner. Local news report here
  • R v M and others (2020) Portsmouth Crown Court. Trial defence counsel in three handed multiple allegations of robbery. One count dismissed following successful half time submission
  • R v G and others (2019) Winchester Crown Court- 5 handed aggravated burglary involving firearm.

Sexual offences

Gemma's practice encompasses the full range of sexual offences. She is most often instructed in cases involving vulnerable witnesses or defendants; either because of age or mental health difficulties.

Recent cases of note

  • R v Cookson (unreported). Defence counsel AG Ref, sentence for rape not unduly lenient
  • R v JS [2025] Winchester Crown Court, prosecuting counsel in rape alleged against serving police officer
  • R v BJ [2024] Southampton Crown Court. Defence Counsel representing father in trial of multiple rapes alleged by one daughter and sexual assault by adult daughter. Additional child victim. Case required sensitive handling of vulnerable witnesses
  • R v PM [2024] Southampton Crown Court. Defence Counsel representing former teacher charged with historic offences alleging abuse of position, acquitted following re-trial
  • R v GB [2023] Bournemouth Crown Court. Prosecuting Counsel- anal rape of care worker. Conviction and extended sentence upheld on appeal
  • R v FM [2023] Isleworth Crown Court. Leading Brad Lawlor, 3TG in defence of vulnerable defendant with significant brain injury) in gang rape case with 17 year old complainant and challenge to complex forensic evidence)
  • R v E (2022) Bournemouth Crown Court. Prosecuting Counsel, multiple historic allegations of rape and sexual assault by cousin
  • R v B (2022) Portsmouth Crown Court. Defence Counsel, allegation of stranger rape
  • R v C (2022) Southampton Youth Court. Defence Counsel representing 17-year-old charged with anal rape of 14-year-old girl. Sensitive cross examination. Conviction overturned on appeal
  • R v C (2022) Bournemouth Crown Court. Prosecuting Counsel, multiple rapes in context of domestic violence
  • R v H (2021) Portsmouth Crown Court. Defence Counsel, allegations of abuse by (then) 2-year-old against brother in early 1970s. Expert evidence in respect of memory formation
  • R v J (2021) Bristol Youth Court. Defence counsel representing 16-year-old charged with inciting 10 year old sister into sexual activity. Sensitive cross examination via intermediary
  • R v F (2021) Southampton Crown Court. Defence Counsel, representing 17-year-old with mental health difficulties on charges of rape of a child under 12
  • R v C (2021) Southampton Crown Court. Defence Counsel, rape. Sentence referred to Court of Appeal by Attorney General but successfully defended and therefore not increased. Local Press Report here
  • R v A (2021) Bournemouth Crown Court. Prosecution Counsel, allegations of sexual assault by (then) 5-year-old against sister’ boyfriend in early 1990s
  • R v B (2020) Winchester Crown Court. Prosecution Trial Counsel- inciting a child into sexual activity. National Press coverage here
  • R v D (2019) Southampton Crown Court. Instructed trial counsel for defendant with severe autism and not fit to plead in allegations of sexual assault made by sister. Case required sensitive handling of client
  • R v W (2019) Southampton Crown Court. Instructed trial counsel for defendant with severe learning difficulties charged with sexual assault on a stranger
  • R v N (2019) Southampton Crown Court. Appeal against the making of a SHPO for a defendant with severe mental health and learning difficulties. SHPO had been made in lower court without any opportunity for the Defendant to be represented or participate in proceedings due to his mental health difficulties. The Order made was severely draconian, required him to notify the police in advance of any sexual activity and imposed a curfew that lasted for 4 years. Appeal against these terms successful. National Reporting here
  • R v R (2019) Southampton Crown Court. Prosecution Counsel- allegations of historic indecent assault and recent sexual assault by a grandfather in his granddaughters, one of whom aged 5 years old. National Reporting here
  • R v P (2019) Southampton Crown Court. Defence Counsel- attempted sexual communication with a child and inciting a child into sexual activity
  • R v K (2019) Winchester Crown Court. Junior Prosecution Counsel in multiple recent and historic rape and indecent assault allegations (led by Timothy Bradbury) in relation to the Defendant’s daughters, step-daughters and sister. Complex third party material and disclosure exercise and hostile witness. Local Reporting here
  • R v R (2019) Portsmouth Crown Court. Defence Counsel Allegation of domestic violence sexual assault. Prosecution Offered no evidence
  • R v O (2018) Portsmouth Crown Court. Prosecution Counsel in knifepoint rape. 18 year sentence imposed. Local news report here
  • R v E (2018) Portsmouth Crown Court. Allegations of attempted Rape and Sexual Assault by an uncle on his niece. Case stopped following successful submission of no case to answer
  • Operation Mespohere R v M (2018) Southampton Crown Court. 17 year old defendant charged with gang rape together with three others. Several counts dismissed at half time and acquittal secured
  • R v K (2018) Portsmouth Youth Court. 12 year old charged with inciting 5 year-old sibling into sexual activity. Prosecution offered no evidence following legal arguments on admissibility of evidence.
  • Recommendations

    Legal 500 2024/Crime (General and Fraud)/ Leading Juniors/ Western Circuit

    Gemma White  – 3PB ‘Gemma is extremely hard-working. Her case presentation skills are second-to-none, and she is a stand-out cross-examiner who has a particular ability to gently undermine the evidence of any witness in a case without appearing overbearing.’

    Legal 500 2024/Crime (General and Fraud)/ Leading Juniors/ Western Circuit

    ‘particular strength lies in the cross-examination of young or vulnerable witnesses’

    'Whether prosecuting or defending, she is particularly adept at dealing with cases of the utmost sensitivity. She is always on top of her brief and combines intellect with a common sense approach.'

    Legal 500 2023/Crime (General and Fraud)/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit

    'Gemma is determined, focused, committed, always fully prepared and highly professional. She is an assured and proficient advocate, confident in court with all judges.'

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