Exchange Chambers

Criminal

With over 30 years’ experience at the Criminal Bar, Steven is highly regarded and has a successful heavyweight criminal practice. He is regularly instructed in the most serious, complex and high profile criminal cases.

He balances robust and effective cross-examination with a calm and persuasive manner that is highly effective with juries. He has an ability to reassure and inspire the confidence of clients.

Steven welcomes the challenge of complex and demanding cases and is keen to provide advice and guidance from the earliest stages of the proceedings in order to ensure continuity of representation and the most effective presentation of a client’s case.

Grade 4 Prosecutor, Serious Crime Panel Prosecutor, Rape and Serious Sexual Assault Prosecutor.

He has a diverse caseload of grave and complex cases including:

Fraud:

• Steven is a member of the highly commended financial crime and fraud team within Chambers. He has considerable experience in cases of corporate, financial and commercial crime and is predominantly instructed on behalf of the defence.
• Recent cases: representing the former Dean of Education at a North West University facing multiple allegations of systematic invoice fraud; acting on behalf of the Directors of a regional transport company in respect of alleged VAT fraud.
• Expertise in Proceeds of Crime and HMRC restraint hearings.

Murder/manslaughter:

• Most recently instructed in the high profile cases of R v Holt (Client acquitted of murder in respect of the stabbing of a doorman), R v Coyle (Representing the mother of a child who was killed as a consequence of being “caged” and secured by ligatures), R v Turner (Representing a defendant who pleaded guilty to killing his mother).

Armed robbery and serious offences of violence.

Importation and supplying of Class A and B drugs.

• Regularly instructed to defend in cases of drugs importations, conspiracies to supply and “County Lines” prosecutions.

Rape and sexual offences (recent and non-recent):

• Steven has developed a significant practice in this area with particular expertise in historical allegations and “child grooming gangs”.
• Steven has extensive experience in the cross-examination of young and vulnerable witnesses. He has conducted many cases within the ambit of “Section 28” pre-recorded cross-examination.
• Presentation of workshops to the Police, Social Services and University Academics in relation to the use of pre-recorded cross-examination.

Road Transport & Motoring:

• Regularly representing clients facing criminal charges arising from road traffic and transport matters including :  Manslaughter; Death by Dangerous/Careless Driving; Causing serious Injury; Dangerous and Careless Driving; Falsification of Tachograph ; Tachograph and Driver Hours infringement.
• DVSA (VOSA) prosecutions.

Professional Regulatory: Experience of representing healthcare professionals before the General Medical Council and Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Steven has considerable experience in cases concerning complex medical issues arising from cases concerning the death of children, child cruelty, neglect and infliction of serious injuries requiring extensive advice and consultation with medical experts from different specialist fields from the early stages of proceedings.

Pre-trial conferences frequently take place with pathologists, radiologists, psychiatrists and other medical experts to ensure a thorough understanding of the evidence , it’s potential impact on a case and the most favourable way of presenting complex and dense material to a jury.

Trading Standards.

Called 1991, Inner Temple

Criminal Bar Association

Northern Circuit

Lancaster University: LLB Hons (1985-88). Inns of Court School of Law (1990-91). Liverpool John Moores University LLM (Legal Practice) 2015-date (Part Time)

Mini & Juniors coach at Waterloo RUFC U15 girls rugby coach at West Park RUFC RUFC Referee Level 2 Cycling