Matthew is an experienced barrister specialising in all aspects of criminal work. He prosecutes for the Complex Crime Unit and for OCSAU.”
“Particularly adept at prosecuting serious drug or sexual offences.”
(Legal 500, 2021)
Previous editions of The Legal 500 recommends him as a leading junior whose “broad practice covers murder, fraud and sexual offences matters” and is recommended for “sensitive serious sexual offences cases” and as being “experienced in cases involving historic sexual abuse.”
A fluent Welsh speaker, he is able to conduct trials in Welsh.
- OCSAU: 2024 – 2025 prosecution of particularly sensitive sexual allegations
- Operation Fimbry, CCU (2024 – 2025): Leading Junior, prosecuting the Ely riots.
- Operation Rembrandt (2024 – 2025): Leading junior, prosecuting money laundering operation. Working with the gambling commission and HMRC.
- Haden [2024] EWCA Crim 344: Archbold 2025, 5B-56, ‘the Crown appealed in four cases against refusals by judges of the Crown Court to make confiscation orders against the respondents because of a failure to complete the proceedings within the permitted time provided by s.14.’ Now a leading authority in respect of questions of postponement.
- Operation Cadiz, CCU (2024): Prosecution of prison officer supplying drugs into prison.
- R v Davies (2024): Murder. Fatal stabbing in Pontypridd. Led junior.
- Operation Dalasi, CCU (2023 – 2025): Leading Junior, prosecuting complex five handed money laundering operation arising out of Operation Dorado.
- Operation Wormit (2023 – 2024): Prosecution of an OCG who were using drones to supply drugs into several prisons across the south of the UK.
- Operation Tredegar (2023 – 2024): Leading junior, prosecuting eleven handed drug supply operation.
- R v Bartlett (2023): Prosecution of teacher who engaged in a sexual relationship with a vulnerable student.
- R v Willis (2023): Prosecution of attempted murder.
- R v Deeley (2022): Murder in Efail Isaf. Led junior. Grandmother confronted and brutally murdered in her own home.
- R v Steele (2022): Murder in Bridgend. Led junior.
- R v GA (2022): Prosecution of attempted murder. The victim and defendant were father and son, the defendant suffered from serious mental health difficulties.
- Operation Dorado, CCU (2021 – 2023): Prosecution of an OCG supplying class A and B drugs across South Wales.
- R v K (2021): Prosecution of leading local consultant for allegations of serious sexual assault.
- R v Davies (2021): Prosecution of death by dangerous driving. Involved evidence from leading ‘syncope’ experts.
- Operation Jericho, CCU (2020 – 2023): Operation Venetic case.
- R v Mortimore (2020): Prosecution of attempted murder. Both victim and defendant suffered from significant mental health difficulties.
- R v Aldobhani & others (2020): Murder. Led junior.
- Operation Nightjar, CCU 2 (2019 – 2024): Leading Junior prosecuting complex nine handed money laundering operation. Most of the defendants were represented by leading counsel.
- Operation Sparkle, CCU (2019): Money Laundering operation arising out of the prosecution of a drugs supply OCG.
- Operation Violet Panama, CCU (2018): Leading Junior, twenty two handed large scale cannabis production operation.
- Operation Wheel (2018): Prosecution of OCG supplying class A drugs based in Newport, Gwent.
- Operation Violet Anvil, CCU (2017): Leading Junior in large scale cocaine supply prosecution.
- Terrel [2007] EWCA Crim 3079: Archbold 2025, 5A-682 ‘the court was particularly concerned with sexual offences prevention orders and the assessment of dangerousness’.
Matthew is a member of the Criminal Bar Association.
- Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf
- Exeter University (Law)
- Cardiff University (Criminology and Criminal Justice)
- Inns of Court School of Law (Bar Vocational Course)
Please click here to view and download a copy of Matthew Cobbe’s Privacy Policy.