Who? Nigel Richardson, 53, senior crime partner at ?London firm Hodge Jones & Allen.

Why is he in the news? As a solicitor-advocate he successfully defended a client charged under the Obscene Publications Act 1959. The defendant, Michael Peacock, 52, of Brixton, London, runs a gay website selling DVDs of male fisting, urination and bondage, domination and sado-masochism.

The jury at Southwark Crown Court watched a selection of the DVDs and was asked to decide whether they were likely to ?deprave and corrupt? viewers. It cleared Peacock of all charges.

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