15NBS

Stephen Earnshaw was called in 1990 and has 29 years of experience at the criminal bar both as prosecution and defence counsel. His practice covers the whole spectrum of criminal offending including murder, serious violence, rape and sexual assault and  has recently been involved in a number of serious drug supplying cases. In addition,  he regularly presents cases for the NMC.

He is a well regarded  and well respected member of the Bar with a reputation for diligent case preparation.

Stephen is a Grade 3 CPS prosecutor and is also a specialised RASSO counsel. He regularly prosecutes allegations of rape and sexual assault often  involving young and vulnerable witnesses. As such he has developed a  compassionate way of dealing with witnesses and putting them at their ease. He is up to date with witness training.

He also defends in such cases where his Prosecution knowledge is invaluable.

He has been instructed to both prosecute and defend in serious drug supplying cases.

Regularly appears as an NMC case presenter.

Notable cases

2015

R v C:              KCC 4 day  rape trial where defence was mistake of fact and self induced intoxication

R v M/L:        MCC 8 day 2 handed rape trial with issues of admissibility and cross admissibility

R v H:             KCC  10 day rape trial

2016

R v Brock      LCC: 6 day trial of  historic sexual assault with identification and bad character

R v I                WCC: 6 day trial of serious s18 stabbing with consideration of hostile witnesses and dangerousness

R v C               CaCC : 7 day trial of death by dangerous driving requiring proper consideration of experts’ reports     

R v S               BCC: 5 day rape trial focusing on issues of consent and self induced intoxication.

R v L               LCC: 7 day trial on rape and sexual assault within the family. Questions of dangerousness.

R v L               KCC     9 day  pwits trial involving undercover police evidence 

2017

R v M             CrCC:  8 day trial involving charges of concealing criminal charges; South East complex casework

R v  J and ors SbCC: 11 day 3 handed stranger rape trial

R v C               KCC:  5 day gbh trial where victim assaulted with a baseball bat

R v M             ICC: 6 day 3 handed conspiracy to supply class A drugs trial.

NMC v H       8 day regulatory hearing   

R v TL             GCC: 16 day £1m multi- identity  benefit fraud        

2018

R v AB            GCC: attempted murder following  a drug deal. This required careful consideration of DNA evidence.

R v J                PCC:  

R v G              St Albans: indecent images. A large number of indecent images which required proper consideration of computer evidence

R v C/S           GCC 5day drugs trial

NMC v 4        Cardiff  4 handed NMC hearing  

R v J                Guildford CC:s erious sexual assaults within family background

R v  C              Norwich CC:   armed robbery; detailed consideration of cctv evidence

R v J                Aylesbury CC:  4 day trial on  historic sexual assaults

R v G              Lewes CC: 6 day trial of  rape where complainant was drugged. Consideration of toxicology and cctv.          

R v R               Oxford CC: 5 day trial  possession of firearm  

2019

R v SD            CrCC   : 4 day rape trial       

NMC               7 day contested hearing

R v G              ACC: 4 day trial on assault and coercive behaviour within marriage

R v D              ICC: Arson with intent with psychiatric issues

NMC v I         18 day 3 handed regulatory hearing