Barrister Sentenced to Over Three Years for Plotting Violent Revenge with Client
A barrister has been sentenced to three years and three months in prison after being found guilty of conspiring with a criminal client to inflict serious harm on a rival. Samreen Akhtar was convicted at Manchester Crown Court for encouraging or assisting the infliction of grievous bodily harm with intent.
The case arose from events on 14 September 2021, when Akhtar's client, Tabish Ali, sustained gunshot injuries during a violent feud involving rival drug gangs. Following the incident, Akhtar was recorded in a telephone conversation with Ali, discussing plans to locate the individual responsible for the shooting with the intent of causing them serious injury.
Akhtar was arrested in February 2022 and subsequently charged with the offence, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Despite pleading not guilty, she was convicted by a majority verdict after a five day trial held in June 2023. The sentencing took place earlier this week.
Prior to her conviction, Akhtar had been recognised by the Bar Council in 2020 as one of ten Social Mobility Advocates, an initiative aimed at enhancing representation within the legal profession for individuals from state educated and disadvantaged backgrounds.
Her professional background included roles in banking, insurance, and the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department at the City of London Police. Following these positions, she secured a pupillage at the Crown Prosecution Service.
Detective Inspector Paul Hutchinson of West Yorkshire Police commented on the case, highlighting Akhtar's awareness of her legal and moral duties as a barrister. He noted that she chose to act outside these responsibilities by collaborating with a dangerous criminal involved in a violent gang conflict, which included serious criminal acts for which Ali was later convicted.
Hutchinson further stated that Akhtar's actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for the ethical standards expected of legal professionals and the detrimental effects of gang related violence on communities.