Sevim Tonbul

Sevim Tonbul is a highly experienced criminal defence solicitor with a proven track record in representing clients facing the most serious and complex allegations, including murder, rape, attempted murder, drug importation, fraud, and firearms offences. Her meticulous preparation, fearless advocacy, and compassionate client care consistently deliver outstanding results.

Sevim has acted in numerous high-profile and media-sensitive cases. She is known for her strategic use of expert evidence, including psychiatric, forensic, and modern slavery specialists, and her ability to secure acquittals, reduced sentences, and suspended sentences in high-risk proceedings.

Selected Case Highlights

• R v T (Inner London Crown Court) – Murder
  Represented a client charged with murdering his partner, Kennedi Westcarr-Sabaroche. Despite media attention, Sevim secured a guilty plea to manslaughter. A murder trial is listed for February 2025. She instructed Dr Frank Farhan, forensic psychiatrist, to assist in preparing the defence.
• R v A (Central Criminal Court) – Murder, Attempted Murder, Firearms
  Represented a 17-year-old in a high-profile gang shooting. The case involved complex issues around joint enterprise and youth sentencing. Sevim secured leave to appeal the 29-year sentence despite counsel’s advice against it.
• R v H (Court of Appeal) – Attempted Murder
  Achieved a sentence reduction from 15 to 9 years following persuasive legal submissions and mitigation, overriding previous counsel’s recommendation not to appeal.
• R v T (Snaresbrook Crown Court) – Possession of an Offensive Weapon
  Acquittal secured after successfully arguing that the defendant had a reasonable excuse for carrying a work knife.
• R v P (Cambridge Crown Court) – Rape
  In a consent-based allegation involving an anxious defendant who fled the UK, Sevim’s strategy led to a not guilty verdict.
• R v B (Basildon Crown Court) – Rape, Attempted Rape
  Represented a client in a challenging sexual offence case involving child witnesses and a complex sleep disorder defence (sexsomnia).
• R v Z (Isleworth Crown Court) – Fraud/Impersonation
  Successfully defended a woman accused of impersonating a doctor. Secured a probation order despite intense public interest.
• R v C (Wood Green Crown Court) – Drug Offences
  Achieved a two-year suspended sentence in a serious Class A supply case by securing expert evidence on modern slavery.
• R v K – Attempted Robbery
  Negotiated a two-year suspended sentence post-trial for an attempted Rolex robbery—an exceptional outcome.
• R v R (Harrow Crown Court) – Robbery, Aggravated Burglary
  Proceedings discontinued after Sevim obtained critical defence witness statements personally.
• Drug Importation (Isleworth Crown Court)
  Secured suspended or non-custodial outcomes for several foreign nationals in Class A drug cases through expert advocacy and mitigation.
• Private Client (Southwark Crown Court) – Common Assault, Burglary
  Successfully vacated a guilty plea after evidencing inadequate legal advice from former counsel.
• Assault on Emergency Worker (Isleworth Crown Court)
  Charges dropped after Sevim presented CCTV undermining the prosecution case.
• Local Authority Prosecutions – Regulatory Defence
  Regularly instructed by professionals and company directors, with a reputation for resolving matters discreetly and out of court.