Practices exclusively in Criminal law

Member of the British Academy of Forensic Sciences. Special expertise in firearms and ballistics. Published a paper on handguns which was presented at a joint British/South African conference.

Practice has concentrated in cases involving complex scientific and medical issues. These largely arise in homicide, serious assaults, rape and child abuse cases. Instructed on behalf of the defence as leading counsel and single counsel in grave and weighty cases.

In October 2007 Stephen was appointed by The International Criminal Court as Foreign Defence Counsel to the Extraordinary Chambers of the Courts of Cambodia.

Cases of Note

• Leading counsel for the defence in multi-handed 3 week murder trial at Birmingham Crown Court. Extremely complex issues regarding cause of death, head injury and brain pathology. Huge media and public interest followed case as the deceased was the father of a sports celebrity. .

• Leading counsel for the defence in 4 handed murder trial listed at Northampton Crown Court with a time estimate of 3 weeks. Unusually large volume of material.

• Represented mentally disturbed woman who had smothered her 4 month-old son. Complex legal issues regarding infanticide, manslaughter and murder. Listed for 1 week at Northampton Crown Court.

• Defended in a case involving allegations of rape and indecent assault over a twenty-five year period of three daughters and three step daughters. Listed at Northampton Crown Court lasting 4 days. .

• Represented defendant charged with poisoning her husband. Technical issues arose as to dose rates and composition of active ingredients. Trial heard at Northampton Crown Court. National coverage in popular press.

• Representing schizophrenic charged with the murder of a fellow ex-serviceman for whom he was carer. The victim was terminally ill with cancer. Pleas’ to assisted suicide were put to the Crown. The manner of assisted suicide was point blank shotgun injury to the left temple. Counsel attended the second post mortem and by virtue of previous experience, was able to agree with the Home Office pathologist the distance from which the shotgun had been discharged.

Other cases include serious violence including attempted murder, mutilation and torture, rape and sexual offences, armed robbery and firearms offences in general and fraud.

Reported Case
R -v- Stow [2008] 1 CRIM APP (s) 603 (102) C.A

[Practices from Northampton Annexe - Enquiries to London Clerks Room]

Memberships:

Criminal Bar Association

Midland Circuit

National Rifle Association

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