Reeds, a principal crown advocate working within the CPS's organised crime division, was one of 104 lawyers to gain the coveted title in the 2009 round of appointments. It's the first time in the CPS's 23-year history that one of its in-house lawyers has been appointed to the position.

Reeds, 47, became a member of the bar in 1984 and he joined the CPS as one of the first three principal crown advocates in 2006.

The CPS is the independent authority responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales.

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