Holly Betke

Call 2013

betke@exchangechambers.co.uk

Photo of Holly Betke

Criminal

Holly has been a criminal practitioner since 2008, first as a solicitor, then since 2013 as a barrister. She has experience acting for both the prosecution and defence in conducting trials, pre-trial and preparation hearings, sentences and newton hearings. She has acted in a range of matters including:

  • Violent offences, from common assault to murder
  • Dishonesty offences from shoplifting to armed robbery
  • Fraud offences including revenue fraud
  • Drug offences
  • Sexual offences
  • Public Order offences
  • Environmental offences
  • Proceeds of Crime Applications and Confiscation Enforcement Proceedings
  • Local Authority Prosecutions
  • VOSA Prosecutions

An effective advocate, skilled in cross examination, Holly is a Category 1 Prosecutor.

She has also advised clients regarding appeal against conviction and sentence, and appeared at the Court of Appeal.

Criminal Cases

R v R and others – £10 million buy-to-let fraud trial. Part of a wider investigation into organised crime in Tameside.

R v CC – Leeds Crown Court. Defended man accused of sexual activity with a child. Acquitted after trial.

R v B – secured a successful result for her client in a contested confiscation case. Following a conviction for fraud in a multi-handed case, Holly was successful in contesting the £21 million figure on behalf of her client. After a seven day hearing, the client was found to have no hidden assets, a benefit figure of £9.8 million and an available amount of £204,000 which had already been paid.

R v D – secured a not guilty verdict for her client, a 33 year old Romanian female in a sex trafficking case. After a month long trial, the defendant was acquitted of running prostitutes.

R v W – represented a male charged with two counts of evasion of payment of excise duty on tobacco worth over £95,000.

R v B – represented a male charged with possession with intent to supply and production of cannabis.

R v S – represented a male and his company charged with offences against the environment agency.

R v B – represented (as junior) a male who was charged with murder, defence being one of diminished responsibility due to acute alcohol syndrome.

R v P – represented a male charged with affray and possession of an offensive weapon.

R v W – represented a female charged with burglary of a dwelling.

R v P – prosecuted a male charged with affray and possession of a bladed article.

R v N – defence of breach of restraining order, reasonable excuse put forward due to Battered Woman Syndrome.