Exchange Chambers barristers act in major drugs trial

March 27, 2017

Barristers from Exchange Chambers have acted in a major drugs trial at Leeds Crown Court.

Keith Boots, a police inspector, was responsible for seizing and disposing of drugs for West Yorkshire Police, but instead stole them to supply back to criminal gangs.

When colleagues raided his Bradford home they found cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and cannabis with an estimated street value of £700,000.

After a three month trial, Boots, 55 was jailed for 26 years.  His son Ashley Boots, 30, was sentenced to 24 years and Ian Mitchell, of no fixed address, to five years.

Keith Boots was found guilty of a range of offences including conspiracy to steal drugs, conspiracy to supply drugs, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, theft and possessing drugs with intent to supply.

Ashley Boots, who was represented by Chris Tehrani QC and Imran Shafi from Exchange Chambers, was  found guilty of three counts of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs, one count of conspiracy to steal and one count of perverting the course of justice.  He admitted seven counts of possession with intent to supply drugs and one count of possession of a quantity of ammunition.

Ian Mitchell was found guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.