Ben Close

Career background

Joined Citadel in 2010 following successful completion of pupillage with Michael Grey. Before being called to the Bar completed an LLM in Criminal Justice at the University of Nottingham.

Practice details

Instructed by both defence and prosecution in a wide range of criminal matters. Recent and notable instructions have included:

• Successfully secured acquittal after trial of a 16 year old boy charged with the sexual assault of a classmate. Case involved cross-examination of young witnesses via live video link.
• Junior in a high-profile fraud committed by private investigators and involving identity theft. First on indictment. Case involved complicated issues in relation to disclosure and the overlap between offences contrary to the Fraud Act and alternative offences under the Data Protection Act 1998.  
• Successfully secured acquittal after trial of a fourteen year old charged with a knife-point robbery where the issue was identity.
• Represented elderly man charged with serious sexual offences against his young granddaughter dating back to the 1990s.
• Successfully represented defendant charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs valued at £250,000.
• Successfully secured acquittal after trial of a farmer charged with offences relating to the removal of persons from his land by arguing lawful ejectment.
• Whilst prosecuting successfully argued admissibility of identification evidence notwithstanding breaches of PACE and leading to a conviction of a sex offender after trial. 
• Successfully argued abuse of process in relation to missing CCTV evidence in an alleged case of police brutality.

Road Traffic

Has acted in a full range of road traffic matters. In the Magistrates' Court that has included document offences and arguments in relation to exceptional hardship and special reasons, as well as numerous trials. In the Crown Court has acted in both appeals against sentence and conviction as well as dangerous driving and aggravated vehicle taking. Has experience of calling expert witnesses, in one such case successfully arguing that a defendant's ability to drive was not impaired notwithstanding (accepted) use of illicit drugs. Has successfully mounted procedural arguments in relation to the taking of specimens.

Has successfully acted for both the claimant and defendant in County Court cases relating to road traffic accident claims.

Common Law

Has experience of representing parties at inquests in the Coroner's Court.

Has successfully represented both claimants and the defence in the small claims court. Has also acted in an advisory capacity, including on quantum in PI cases.

Continuing Professional Development

Has acted as an instructor on witness familiarisation courses for HSE inspectors.