Rehana Khanam is a Senior Litigation Consultant at CLP Solicitors with 33 years’ experience in criminal defence, acting in some of the most serious, complex, and high-profile cases. She is recognised for her forensic analysis of evidence, and calm, authoritative approach to defending clients facing life-changing allegations. Rehana is well known in the industry, both by clients and barristers alike, for her unwavering devotion to her clients and their cases.
She is a specialist in Criminal Defence. Rehana practises across all areas of criminal law, with particular expertise in murder and manslaughter, money laundering and fraud, large-scale drugs conspiracies, and serious sexual offences. She has extensive experience in multi-handed trials, cases involving expert evidence, international elements, and matters attracting national and international media attention.
Murder / Manslaughter
R v M [2012]
Rehana secured the acquittal of a defendant charged with murder and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. The prosecution alleged the defendant had carried out a fatal attack following a planned ambush. After a complex trial involving seven expert witnesses and highly technical phonetic and voice-attribution evidence, the defendant was acquitted of both murder and manslaughter.
Read more: Mother ordered killing of teen daughter’s boyfriend – Evening Standard
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/mother-ordered-killing-of-teen-daughter-s-boyfriend-7657680.html
R v W
Rehana acted for the defendant, charged alongside three others with murder and conspiracy to rob. Despite eyewitness testimony and cell site evidence placing the defendant at the scene, Rehana challenged the identification evidence and forensic data, leading to the client being the only defendant acquitted of all charges.
R v MC [2013]
Rehana represented MC, who faced murder and manslaughter charges after a fatal incident involving his alleged victim, Darren Leonard. The prosecution claimed MC attacked Leonard over stolen drugs, but the defence argued self-defence during a tussle. Mikel was acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter.
Read more: Man cleared of murder and robbery charges – BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-21328874
R v SL [2011]
Rehana secured a not guilty verdict on murder for SL, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in a case involving two brothers attacking a man over a perceived family dishonour. Surveillance and GPS tracking evidence were crucial, showing SL was at home during the attack while communicating with his brothers.
Read more: Three charged over murder of man in family dispute – BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-14142991
R v DL [2013]
In what became known in the media as the “Burger King murder,” Rehana defended DL at the Old Bailey, charged with stabbing a man during a fight. The defence argued self-defence, and after a week-long trial, the jury returned a not guilty verdict in a record 14 minutes.
Read more: Acquitted of murder of Pelivan Zekaj – The Tottenham Independent
https://www.thetottenhamindependent.co.uk/news/10431449.daniel-lewis-acquitted-of-the-murder-of-pelivan-zekaj/
R v CM 1& 2 [2025]
Rehana acted for a defendant in a highly publicised case concerning the death of a baby. She represented the defendant through both the first trial and the subsequent re-trial, in proceedings that attracted intense national and international media scrutiny. The case involved complex factual issues, extensive press attention, and significant legal and procedural challenges, requiring careful strategic management throughout.
R v PM [2019]
Rehana defended PM in a multi-handed murder case. PM was cleared of murder, which the prosecution described as a “professional execution.”
R v NG [2013]
Rehana defended NG, a former soldier charged with murdering his wife. NG admitted manslaughter on grounds of loss of control and diminished responsibility but denied murder. Following a four-week trial involving psychiatric evidence, he received a minimum term of 17 years.
R v AP [2016]
Rehana defended AP, who admitted manslaughter but was convicted of murder following a fatal incident in Corby. He was sentenced to 12½ years’ imprisonment.
R v S
Rehana secured the acquittal of a civil engineer charged with murder, following extensive challenges to medical evidence, eyewitness testimony, and CCTV analysis.
R v A
Rehana represented one of the lead defendants in a multi-handed gang-related murder. The defendant was acquitted of murder and convicted of manslaughter.
R v T
Rehana successfully challenged the extension of custody time limits by judicial review, securing her client’s release. She acted in a 24-handed murder case arising from a gang stabbing in Camden Town.
R v I
Rehana represented a young defendant in a multi-handed attempted murder involving a machete, requiring detailed forensic blood-spatter analysis.
Drugs Cases
Rehana has extensive experience defending clients in serious drugs prosecutions, including large-scale domestic and international conspiracies and cases involving organised criminal activity.
R v RP [2016]
Rehana represented a defendant charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and encouraging or assisting the supply of controlled drugs. The prosecution alleged the defendant was “Britain’s biggest supplier of cutting agents for drugs barons”, claiming his operation produced more benzocaine than GlaxoSmithKline and facilitated the production of £90 million worth of cocaine. The defendant was acquitted of all charges.
Read more: Britain’s biggest supplier of cutting agents for drugs barons – Daily Mail
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3507913/
R v AL [2009]
Rehana acted in one of the longest trials ever heard at Oxford Crown Court, involving fourteen defendants accused of conspiracy to supply cocaine and money laundering. After an 11-month trial, the jury returned unanimous acquittals for nine defendants following just two hours of deliberation. The case was estimated to have cost the taxpayer £1.9 million.
Read more: Lost cocaine case costs taxpayer £1.9m – Oxford Mail
https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/4776764.lost-cocaine-case-costs-taxpayer-1-9m/
R v TB Trial 1 [2022] WS Trial 2 [2024]
Rehana defended two clients in a £55 million EncroChat drugs conspiracy, involving encrypted communications and cross-border allegations. The trial lasted six months and required detailed analysis of complex digital evidence.
Read more: BBC News – EncroChat drugs conspiracy case
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-29183915
R v GH [2012]
Rehana acted for GH in what was the largest ever drugs operation carried out in the UK. GH was acquitted of conspiracy to produce a controlled drug spanning from January 2006 to 2010. The four-year Metropolitan Police investigation, Operation Opaque, targeted industrial-scale cannabis importers and growers involving Chinese, Vietnamese, and British nationals. Specialist equipment was imported and distributed to numerous cannabis farms across the UK. Gary Hadley received a suspended sentence of two years, while 18 others were convicted.
Read more: Operation Opaque: Major cannabis cultivation gang sentenced – BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20813471
R v GM [2017]
Rehana secured an acquittal for her client at Chelmsford Crown Court in a high-profile cannabis factory case involving a £2.5 million commercial grow in Braintree, Essex. Despite cell site and DNA evidence linking McSween to the site, he maintained that he was only there to protect a friend under threat from an Albanian gang who had taken over the premises. After a short jury deliberation, McSween was found not guilty, while co-defendants received prison sentences.
Read more: Gabriel McSween, 30, charged in connection with £2.5m Braintree cannabis factory – EADT
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21538584.gabriel-mcsween-30-charged-connection-2-5million-braintree-cannabis-factory/
R v AL (County Lines Drugs Conspiracy) [2019]
Rehana acted for the defendant charged with two conspiracies to supply Class A drugs in a County Lines prosecution. The Crown alleged a leading role, relying on cell site evidence, DNA on drug packaging, and alleged gang links. After a month-long trial challenging the forensic and circumstantial evidence, the jury returned not guilty verdicts on all counts. Co-defendants were convicted.
R v KP [2025]
Rehana acted for the defendant in two separate Class A drugs supply prosecutions at Cambridge Crown Court and Northampton Crown Court. Following thorough representations, the prosecution accepted pleas to lesser Class B offences. The defendant was also successfully cleared of possession of firearm with intent charge.
R v AM [2021]
Rehana successfully defended AM, a nurse accused of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, challenging the evidence of undercover police officers.
R v JG [2021]
Rehana defended JG, the principal defendant alleged to control a sophisticated County Line drug operation supplying heroin and crack cocaine from London Hackney to Norwich. After three trials with no verdict, the prosecution offered no evidence. Extensive surveillance evidence of JG’s movements in London and Norwich was successfully challenged, leading to a not guilty verdict and the defendant’s release from prison.
R v DL (Operation Halmist) [2019]
Rehana defended DL, alleged to be the right-hand man of a well-known grime artist and organiser of multiple county drug lines. DL was the only defendant acquitted by the jury on one conspiracy count, with the jury unable to reach a verdict on the second.
R v R & A
Rehana was part of the defence team in a SOCA supergrass prosecution arising from a major Colombian cocaine trafficking and money laundering investigation. Two defendants, including the lead defendant, were acquitted.
R v M
Rehana was part of the defence team defending a Colombian national charged with conspiracy to import cocaine following a year-long SOCA investigation involving covert evidence.
R v S
Rehana successfully defended a client charged with conspiracy to import 337kg of cocaine from Venezuela.
R v K
Rehana represented a defendant charged with conspiracy to import 350kg of heroin into the UK from Holland.
R v W
Rehana was part of the defence team in an internationally reported prosecution concerning the “Bling Bling” gang, alleged to control a £300 million drug and money laundering network. W was one of only two defendants acquitted out of 17.
R v O
Rehana successfully defended a defendant charged with conspiracy to import 22kg of cocaine from Ghana.
Money Laundering / Fraud
R v KK [2017]
Rehana acted for a defendant in a £10 million money laundering prosecution involving allegations of professional laundering through multiple Money Service Bureaux. Following a 12-week trial and 18 hours of jury deliberation, the jury returned not guilty verdicts on all counts. The case was entirely circumstantial, relying on trading patterns, volumes, and alleged suspicious cash handling, requiring detailed and sensitive forensic defence analysis.
R v AH – Iraqi Oil-for-Food Programme [2008]
Rehana acted in an internationally reported case involving allegations of conspiracy to breach United Nations sanctions, the first prosecution ever brought under the United Nations Act in the UK. The case involved multiple jurisdictions, extensive documentary evidence, and detailed analysis of UK, US, and UN government policy in relation to sanctions-busting during the Saddam Hussein era.
R v CW [2010]
Rehana acted in one of the largest fraud prosecutions brought by the Serious Fraud Office. The case involved multi-million pound fraud through the selling of shares across various stock markets. Over 1.1 million documents were served, and the trial required detailed expert evidence from forensic accountants and share trading specialists.
R v S [2010]
Rehana represented one of five defendants in a complex fraud case against Virgin Media. The defendants were accused of selling packages that illegally allowed access to Virgin products without payment. The case involved serious allegations with millions of pounds at stake.
R v D [2012]
Rehana acted in a high-profile international fraud involving the large scale importation, wholesale and distribution of counterfeit Nike goods. The case involved cross-border criminal activity with wholesale and distribution of counterfeit products, and was widely covered in the media and featured in an ITV documentary broadcast in 2012.
Read more: The gang who tried to smuggle fake goods worth millions into the capital – ITV News
https://www.itv.com/news/london/update/2012-04-02/the-gang-who-tried-to-smuggle-fake-goods-worth-millions-into-the-capital/
R v M – Operation Enderby 1 & 2 [2015]
Rehana defended a client accused of being a key member of an organised money laundering network alleged to have removed £50 million of criminal proceeds overseas. After a five week trial at the Central Criminal Court, the prosecution’s case was fatally undermined by errors in the investigation and presentation of evidence. The Crown offered no evidence, and the defendant was acquitted alongside co defendants. The trial drew significant judicial criticism of the National Crime Agency’s investigation, widely reported in the national media.
Read more: National Crime Agency criticised as major money laundering case collapses – BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34941944
R v SM [2022]
Rehana successfully secured a mental health disposal at the Old Bailey in a £1.5 million banking fraud case. The defendant, a customer assistant at Nationwide Bank, admitted to fraudulent activity that potentially caused losses of £1.5 million to the bank. Following complex fitness to plead proceedings, the client avoided both prison and a criminal conviction.
R v WA [2018]
Rehana successfully defended WA, who was cleared of laundering criminal property in excess of £5 million. The prosecution alleged the criminal property was laundered through company bank accounts, purchasing precious metals which were then sold, with proceeds forwarded to accounts including those in Dubai, disguising the origins of the funds.
R v MDCS [2020]
Rehana defended MDCS in a £19.7 million Transport for London fraud case, Operation Carnival.
R v YK (Operation Lath) [2011]
Rehana defended YK, a Ukrainian IT specialist accused of conspiracy to defraud UK banks as part of a major international cyber-fraud operation involving the FBI, US Department of Justice, Metropolitan Police and UK banks. The case concerned sophisticated online banking fraud using Trojan malware to steal confidential banking data and siphon nearly £3 million through controlled accounts across the UK, Europe and the United States. The investigation involved unprecedented international law-enforcement cooperation.
Read more: Zeus fraud gang member gets jail sentence – ZDNET/tech
https://www.zdnet.com/article/zeus-fraud-gang-member-gets-jail-sentence/
R v RC (Operation Augusta) [2010]
Rehana defended RC, accused of involvement in a global counterfeiting conspiracy selling millions of pounds’ worth of fake golf clubs and merchandise via eBay. The prosecution alleged this was a worldwide conspiracy with goods manufactured in China and distributed across Europe, Australia, the USA and South America. The three-month trial heard evidence from eBay who described the operation as the largest counterfeiting scheme it had encountered.
Read more: Gang boss jailed for eBay golf club swindle – The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/mar/04/ebay-scam-gang-boss-jailed
R v NS [2014]
Rehana defended NS, accused of acting as the central figure in a family-run operation exporting stolen heavy machinery to Dubai. Following a five-year case, the Court of Appeal freed NS from custody, exercising mercy to avoid depriving her children of both parents. The conspiracy involved stolen machinery worth hundreds of thousands of pounds and significant financial transfers through family accounts.
Read more: Watford mother involved in stolen machinery operation freed from jail – Watford Observer
https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/11090445.watford-mother-involved-in-stolen-machinery-operation-freed-from-jail/
R v S
Rehana was part of the defence team representing one of the lead defendants in the largest Royal Mail fraud. The case involved the alleged dumping of millions of items of mail by a mail-forwarding house. The defendant was acquitted following extensive analysis of large-scale digital and documentary evidence.
R v P
Rehana secured the acquittal before trial in a computer chip carousel fraud involving alleged losses to the Exchequer of tens of millions of pounds.
R v W
Rehana was part of a defence team that successfully challenged the legality of HM Customs & Excise investigative techniques used in VAT carousel and money exchange bureau prosecutions.
R v B
Rehana was part of the defence team securing acquittal on all charges for one of the defendants in the SFO prosecution arising from the collapse of Versailles Group PLC. One of the most complex SFO cases of its time, involving extensive documentary and financial analysis.
R v MD [2018]
Rehana successfully defended a client accused of defrauding the NHS Pension Fund using multiple identities.
R v D
Rehana secured the acquittal of an alleged multi-million-pound international money launderer in a high-profile HM Customs & Excise prosecution, widely reported in the national press.
R v V
Rehana was part of the defence team in a lead case challenging HM Customs & Excise reliance on trade-source evidence in money exchange bureau prosecutions.
R v GG [2011]
Rehana successfully defended an accountant charged with conspiracy to defraud £21 million and alleged involvement in laundering funds connected to an international cocaine importation conspiracy involving 1,500kg of cocaine seized from the vessel Destiny Express, with an estimated street value exceeding £900 million.
R v P
Rehana successfully defended P against four counts of money laundering linked to drug supply and high-value burglary. Following the trial, P was cleared of all charges and assets unfrozen.
R v D
Rehana was part of an international defence team acting for a lead defendant in a multi-million-pound money laundering case following arrests in London, Spain and Colombia.
R v D
Rehana secured an acquittal in pre-trial legal argument for an alleged international letter-of-credit fraudster.
R v D
Rehana secured the acquittal of a court employee accused of jury interference arising from a personal relationship with a defendant.
R v J
Rehana was part of the defence team acting for a leading member of the “Lavender Hill Mob”, the most prolific counterfeiting gang detected by the Bank of England.
People Trafficking & Illegal Immigration
R v JD (Operation Dorking) [2016]
Rehana defended JD, a key figure within the Slovakian community in Kent, charged with large-scale human trafficking involving vulnerable Slovakian nationals brought to the UK for exploitation. Following a major multi-agency investigation, JD was acquitted of three trafficking counts, the jury was hung on one, and he was convicted on one count of trafficking with intent to exploit.
Read more: Trafficking duo get six years each after joint investigation –Gangmaster & Labour Abuse Authority
https://www.gla.gov.uk/whats-new/press-release-archive/180516-trafficking-brothers-get-six-years-each-after-joint-investigation
R v KK [2014]
Rehana defended KK, accused of conspiring to smuggle Sri Lankan nationals into the UK via Channel ports including Calais, Dunkirk and Dover. The case followed an international investigation involving the Home Office, NCA, Europol and European law-enforcement agencies.
Read more: People-smuggling gang jailed after Channel port arrests – The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jan/29/people-smuggling-gang-jailed-channel
R v KN [2013]
Rehana defended KN, a Polish national accused of running a London-wide prostitution network and trafficking women for sexual exploitation. The prosecution alleged women were advertised online, with bookings managed through a call centre. The case concerned organised sexual exploitation across multiple London locations.
Read more: Couple who ran London prostitution ring to be sentenced today – The Journal
https://www.thejournal.ie/couple-who-ran-london-prostitution-ring-to-be-sentenced-1213422-Dec2013/
R v SA (Operation Qwerty) [2015]
Rehana defended SA, accused of involvement in a complex immigration fraud concerning Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visas. The case involved facilitators and beneficiaries from multiple countries alleged to have used sham companies to secure leave to remain. SA was cleared of all charges before trial.
Sexual Offences
Rehana regularly defends clients accused of serious sexual offences, including high-profile cases involving complex issues of consent, credibility, and forensic evidence. She is known for her discreet and meticulous handling of sensitive allegations.
R v S [2005]
Rehana acted for a high-profile defendant charged with rape and sexual assault in a case attracting national media coverage. Following brief jury deliberations, the defendant was fully acquitted of all allegations.
Read more: Former pop star cleared of rape – BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4078008.stm
R v MH [2015]
Rehana represented an 18-year-old youth charged with 23 counts of rape and gang rape involving a vulnerable complainant over two years. After a three-week trial, the defendant was acquitted on all charges.
R v BH 1 & 2 [2010]
In two separate trials, Rehana successfully defended her client, accused of rape and sexual assault. The defendant was found not guilty after thorough challenge of the prosecution's evidence.
R v IR [2011]
Rehana defended a school teacher charged with sexual assault of a child under 16. Despite serious allegations, the jury returned not guilty verdicts after a week-long trial.
R v JOS [2010]
Rehana defended a client who pleaded guilty to 18 offences of possession of indecent images of children. The court took into account his early guilty plea, remorse, and rehabilitation efforts, sentencing him to a three-year community order.
R v MSU [2015]
Rehana defended a religious secondary school teacher accused of marital rape and assault. After a two-day trial, the charges were dismissed and the defendant returned to teaching without adverse findings.
R v MMU [2021]
Represented a taxi driver charged with multiple counts of sexual assault of a vulnerable schoolgirl. After two jury trials and a robust challenge to DNA evidence, the defendant was acquitted of all charges.
Firearms
R v SM and IM [2020]
Rehana successfully defended a mother and daughter charged with multiple firearms offences, including possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Following robust defence, both defendants were acquitted of all charges.
R v KS [2021]
Rehana successfully defended “Kaos,” a prominent Hackney rap artist, charged with serious firearm offences. Following strong defence arguments, and expert DNA evidence the prosecution offered no evidence and the defendant was acquitted.
Violent Crime
R v NH [2018]
Rehana successfully defended NH, accused of violent disorder during a large brawl involving hundreds of people outside Birmingham Crown Court. Despite video evidence from members of the public, the jury accepted NH acted in self-defence and acquitted him.
Court of Appeal
R v ZR [2007]
Rehana acted for the appellant whose conviction for conspiracy to deal with proceeds of drug trafficking was quashed following the landmark R v Saik (2006) ruling. The Court of Appeal found that the jury had been misdirected on the necessary mental element, as the defendant had only been suspected of knowing the illicit nature of the money rather than having actual knowledge or intent. The conviction was quashed and a retrial ordered.
Read more: Rizvi, Zafar – CCRC
https://ccrc.gov.uk/decision/rizvi-zafar/
R v LM [2012]
Rehana defended LM, a member of the Queen’s Crescent Gang convicted of double murder. On appeal, his minimum term was successfully reduced from 19 to 17 years, with the Court recognising his younger age compared to co-defendants.
Read more: Teenager jailed for Kilburn murder wins sentence appeal – Brent & Kilburn Times
https://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/crime/22020861.teenager-jailed-kilburn-murder-wins-sentence-appeal/
R v VM [2025]
Rehana acted for the appellant whose extended sentence for multiple firearms offences was quashed. The Court of Appeal substituted a reduced sentence of 7 years’ imprisonment.
R v ML [2025]
Rehana acted for the appellant whose extended sentence of 24 years for two shootings on Broadwater Farm Estate and Rigg Approach, Leyton, plus conspiracy to commit GBH, was reduced by the Court of Appeal to 17½ years.
Read more: Appeal court reduces sentence for conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm – Solicitors Journal
https://www.solicitorsjournal.com/sjarticle/appeal-court-reduces-sentence-for-conspiracy-to-commit-grievous-bodily-harm
