Who? Dino Barricella, 33-year-old associate solicitor and criminal defence specialist at Saunders Goodin Riddleston in Ipswich.

Why is he in the news? Represen-ted Jacques Karim Abi-Ayad, recently acquitted of terrorist charges at the Old Bailey but pleaded guilty to deception, receiving 18 months’ imprisonment. Mr Abi-Ayad was alleged to have had in his possession a manual on how to make explosives known as the ‘anarchist cook book’. He was also alleged to have had handwritten notes on explosive devices, numerous newspaper articles on terrorism, and forged documents including passports and driving licences. Mr Abi-Ayad was a fugitive, having absconded from France following a stabbing incident. In his absence, he was tried and convicted of attempted murder, and sentenced to life imprisonment.


Dino Barricella
Saunders Goodin Riddleston

Background: BA (Hons), MA in Criminology from Leicester University 1996. Articles with Bates Wells & Braithwaite in London, qualifying in 1998. Specialised in criminal defence work with his current firm since 2001.

Route to the case: ‘I represented Mr Abi-Ayad when he was first arrested for the deception matters and thereafter when charged with offences under the Terrorism Act.’


Thoughts on the case: ‘This was a very interesting case indeed because it not only involved unique legislation, but it also had a very emotive aspect to it. Section 58 of the Terrorism Act, under which Mr Abi-Ayad was charged, is very Draconian legislation, which I believe in light of this verdict and the current political climate needs to be reviewed. The document that the defendant was in possession of is readily accessible on the Internet. The emotive side of the case was the fact that Mr Abi-Ayad and his family, including a young daughter, had been subject to racist abuse [in France], which had led to the alleged stabbing and he had effectively become a fugitive in this country.’


Dealing with the media: ‘This case received great media attention locally. There was always a fine balance to achieve – that my client’s defence was not prejudiced, but to also ensure that his defence and version of events were put across accurately. I am satisfied this was achieved.’