Adele Duffy works exclusively in our Complex Crime Department. She is known for her hard work and has built a strong reputation for her flawless, innovative, professional and robust approach to the criminal defence work. With over 20 years in the field, she pro-actively represent the interests of her clients.
She has extensive knowledge and experience representing clients who face the most serious allegations. This includes murder, serious violence, drugs conspiracies including EncroChat cases, terrorism cases and POCA proceedings. She also handles all matters before the Crown Court.
Clients are able to feel at ease with Adele due to her considerable experience. They feel safe in the knowledge that their case is being dealt with by someone who is experienced in dealing with crown court cases. Adele works hard with all her clients to build trust and always has the client’s best interest at heart.
Adele has built up strong relationships with leading barristers and experts such as Psychiatrists, Psychologists and Forensic Experts. Her work is recognised in the Crown Court judiciary, and she is often commended for her dedication and work ethic in her cases.
Prior to joining Reeds, Adele ran the Crown Court department at another Manchester firm for 15 years dealing with all the crown court cases, and has a great reputation from her clients.
Recent and notable cases
The Defendant was charged with the high-profile murder of a Manchester Met University student. The prosecution alleged that in response to a light hearted comment, the Defendant produced a flick knife which he proceeded to use, causing 8 stab wounds. The killing was caught on CCTV. The defendant was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter.
XW was 18 and of no fixed abode he had been charged with murder. He was accused of stabbing the victim multiple times in Trafford. He was found not guilty of murder whilst his three co-defendants were all found guilty of murder.
XW was charged with stabbing a 21 year old to death who was said to be trying to protect his friends. XW was acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter.
Adele represented a defendant who was charged with conspiracy to commit murder. It was alleged the defendants smuggled mobile phones to order the murder of a drug dealer from their prison cells. They recruited three hooded gunmen who tried to shoot convicted drug dealer in the backyard of his home. The defendant was found not guilty after trial
Adele Represented one of 13 Defendants tried for the murder of Abdulwahab Hafidah in Moss Side, Manchester. The Prosecution alleged the Defendant was a ringleader in the joint enterprise to kill or do really serious injury to the deceased who they claimed was a member of the “Rusholme Crips” gang and had strayed onto another gang’s (“Active Only”) territory before being chased through the streets and attacked with knives and hammers. Legal issues relating to joint enterprise were raised and admissibility of evidence relating to gang membership. Our client was the only client found not guilty of Murder.
Adele represented the defendant arrested for a murder on the dancefloor of a night club. The prosecution alleged that he stabbed the victim in the neck with a broken bottle killing him. The defendant was found not guilty.
Section 18 wounding, negotiated to a section 20 – and received a suspended sentence order.
This defendant was charged for the 4th time for Possession with Intent to Supply Class A drugs and received 5 years 6 months custody – when normally it’s a 7year minimum term.
This case related to multi handed conspiracy to supply class A drugs. The role of S was negotiated down as he would have been a third striker on PWITS Class A drugs, a lesser charge was negotiated on a basis of plea where the defendant received 3 years 9 months in custody.
Adele represented two defendants in a large scale Encro chat conspiracy involving 39 co-defendants and three separate conspiracies. She dealt with one of the main defendants who was allocated a leading role and one of the defendants at the top of the conspiracy, he received 17 years in custody.
Adele represented One of the defendants in the largest Class A drugs importation cases prosecuted in the UK involving drugs concealed in ambulances. She represented in the contested POCA proceedings in which the prosecution originally contended for a benefit figure of £2.6 million which they varied to £1.9 million. They sought to recover such amount in part from the sale of a house. The case raised difficult legal issues relating to “assumptions”, tainted gifts, equitable interests in property but most importantly how the benefit figure should be assessed in a case of this nature. The judge ruled that the benefit figure was £4,500 and confiscation was ordered in such amount.
The first successful appeal brought before the courts against a sentence imposed following the Manchester Riots in 2011.
Adele represented a defendant who was charged with being a member of a prescribed organisation that backed the murder of Jo Cox. This was a very complex case which had a 5 week trial. The defendant was subsequently sentenced to 6 years custody.