Crime:  prosecution and defence, Grade 3 prosecutor, CPS Rape panel

Leeds Girls’ High School

2(i) LL.B (Hons) Exempting at University of Northumbria at Newcastle

Joined Henry Hyams Solicitors Leeds office as a trainee in 1999, qualified as a solicitor in 2001 before becoming a partner in 2005 and gaining her higher rights in 2006

Called to the Bar in 2011

All areas of criminal law with a particular interest in cases involving children or vulnerable clients with mental health issues

R v Flesher (2007) – Leeds Crown Court and Court of Appeal – defence of a female charged with arson being reckless as to the endangerment of life arising out of her suicide attempt in which she set a fire at home. Successful appeal against the custodial sentence imposed in the Crown Court

R v Xue (2008) – successful defence of a female Chinese national tried for cultivation of cannabis after a large scale cannabis factory was found at her home address

R v P (2010) – defence - assault occasioning actual bodily harm on his 1 year old child where there were parallel care proceedings

R v X (2010) – defence - child cruelty and assault occasioning actual bodily harm on her children where there were parallel care proceedings

R v Stephenson (2011) – defence - Historical familial rapes and indecent assaults

R v McLaren (2011) – defence - GBH with intent; sustained knife attack

R v Walker (2011) – defence - possession with intent to supply £25,000 worth of cocaine and burglary of a bank

R v McLean (2011) – defence - robbery of his 65 year old grandmother; strangling her to the point of unconsciousness before locking her in a cupboard

R v Thompson (2012) – defence – s.18 trial

R v Gaunt (2012) – defence – s.18 trial (glassing). Acquitted of s.18 but had pleaded guilty to s.20; successful appeal against sentence imposed

R v Chan and others (2012) - defence – 9 week trial for violent disorder; turf war between members of alleged Triad gangs

R v Santana (2012) – defence - rape and assault trial

R v Picken (2012) – defence – arson reckless as to endangerment of life – hospital order

R v Rebate (2012) – defence – attempted strangulation of his elderly mother using a home made noose – hospital order

R v Mahmood (2012 and 2013) – defence – rape and attempted child abduction trial

R v Grmay (2013) – defence - Violent attempted rape and GBH (stabbing) trial; cut-throat defence

R v Gordon (2013) – defence – Firearms/ammunition and drugs trial

R v Artuchiewicz (2013) – prosecution – robbery trial involving TV links from Japan and clothing comparison expert

R v Taylor (2013) – prosecution – knifepoint robbery trial involving challenged expert evidence from forensic scientists and image experts

R v Walsh (2013) – defence – buggery and gross indecency trial (historical familial abuse)