Owain Williams

Owain joined Draycott Browne in July 2024 after years of working in busy criminal defence practices in Bolton, Liverpool and Manchester.

He has been an Accredited Police Station Representative for over 10yrs and vast experience in representing suspects at the Police Station. He prides himself on his no-nonsense approach with the Police to get the best results for those he represents.

Owain works in our Crown Court Department and in particular specialises in matters involving serious violence (such as Murder, Robbery or Wounding With Intent) and matters involving Domestic Violence. His years of experience has allowed Owain to build up strong relationships with leading barristers and experts such as Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Forensic Experts and Digital Analysts.

He has become a recognised figure with the Manchester Crown Court judiciary who have personally commended Owain’s dedication and work ethic in his cases.

As a father of two young children, Owain understands the devastating impact that a criminal investigation can have on a person and their family and the relationship with their children.

Owain also undertakes work for our Prison Law Department, conducting Oral Hearings before the Parole Board and in Adjudications.

Owain can be contacted on 07900 229498, or alternatively by email at owain.williams@draycottbrowne.co.uk

Notable cases:

R v AS (2026)

Owain worked on this case involving a series of domestic allegations of controlling behaviour, ABH and rape. AS consistently maintained the allegations were maliciously fabricated. AS’ case was referred to the National Referral Mechanism for Modern Slavery and Owain sought reports from various stakeholders regarding whether AS was subjected to modern slavery. The conclusion from all parties was that AS was trafficked from India and forced into domestic servitude by the supposed victim and her family.

Following the service of a Defence Statement, the Prosecution conceded to offer no evidence against AS and Not Guilty verdicts were officially recorded. The case was an important reminder that the investigating authorities need to do more to remain thorough and impartial when investigating such serious allegations.  Instructed Counsel was Sophie Kenny of Nine Chambers, Manchester.

R v ZD (2025)

Owain represented this defendant charged with two very serious armed robberies that involved machetes. The Defendant falsely advertised Surron e-bikes for sale on Social Media and arranged to meet with potential buyers, only to rob them of £1000s of cash. One victim suffered a substantial deep tissue wound to his hand during one of the robberies. Following consideration of modern slavery documents, arranging psychological and psychiatric assessments and preparing other mitigating material, ZD was sentenced to 3yrs 11 months custody and avoided an extended sentence.

R v KH (2025) – Operation Frenchpark

This Defendant was accused of three counts of conspiracy to supply class A in a county lines operation across Derbyshire and Greater Manchester. KH sentenced after Owain obtained modern slavery, psychological and psychiatric assessments. Despite being described as the one of the more senior figures in the conspiracy and played a high significant role, the Defendant was sentenced to a total of 3yrs 2mths and also avoided Proceeds of Crime Proceedings.

R v DC (2025)

Owain worked with barrister Gemma Maxwell (St Johns Buildings) on a serious domestic allegation of wounding with intent. It was alleged that DC had in effect “glassed” the Complainant in the throat / chin area causing a large open wound. Included the instruction of forensic experts as to the causality of the injury and preparation for thorough cross-examination of the Complainant.  Following a 7 day trial, Defendant was acquitted of wounding with intent and the lesser offence of malicious / unlawful wounding.

R v RA (2024)
Owain litigated on a case before Swansea Crown Court involving a surgeon who was accused of possessing indecent images of children. The case heavily focused on forensic analysis of phones and laptops. The reports of that analysis was able to show that RA was innocent of the matters he was accused of and he was found Not Guilty following a trial.

R v MS (2024)
Owain worked on this case involving a female with significant mental health issues who had been drugged and threatened with physical and sexual violence if she did not agree to store a firearm on behalf of an Organised Crime Gang. A referral was made to the National Referral Mechanism for Modern Slavery and during which Owain obtained reports from various experts including psychiatrists, psychologists, criminologists and sociologists that all concluded this lady was extremely vulnerable. Following service of a Defence Statement, the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence against MS.

R v GD – historic sexual offences (2024) – GD was accused of historic sexual abuse during the 1980s. GD was elderly and suffered with early onset dementia. Owain worked on the case much on his own during the Criminal Bar industrial Action. Following a 10 day trial, GD was acquitted.

R v DF – Murder (2022) – Owain was the litigator on another “one punch murder” case. DF was on a night out in Oldham during which a confrontation too place with the deceased during which the deceased was punched and fell to the floor. DF was charged with murder. Following challenges to the evidence made by DF’s legal team, the Prosecution offered no evidence in respect of the charge of murder.

R v DR – Operation Malachite – Murder (2021). Owain was the litigator on a case involving the gangland stabbing between two gangs in South Manchester. Following trial, the Defendant was acquitted of murder. Appeal against sentence for manslaughter was reduced at the Court of Appeal. Instructed Counsel was Nina Graham KC.