Criminal
Stella is instructed as a leading junior, led junior and junior alone in the most serious and complex criminal cases. She specialises cases involving violent crime and organised criminal conspiracies pertaining to drugs, firearms, importation and theft. She has extensive experience in prosecuting and defending in allegations of serious fraud and money laundering.
Ongoing instructions include the Operation Aloft, the prosecution of former employees of Liverpool City Council and their associates for allegations of bribery and misconduct.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c14x5m51y62o
Stella is instructed as a leading junior in the prosecution of over 30 high-value burglaries over five counties.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg3y4dkdmdo
Other recent cases include:
Misconduct by Chairwoman of Prison Monitoring Board: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cre8q4y581no
Historic grooming offences: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-68911740
Importation: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/face-encrochat-boxing-coach-centre-27810013
In addition to her practice, Stella is keen to support those interested in pursuing a career in law, in particular those from backgrounds currently under-represented at the Bar. In 2021, she set up the Exchange Chambers Mentoring Scheme in 2021. The scheme is now on its third intake: https://www.exchangechambers.co.uk/exchange-chambers-launches-new-mentoring-programme-to-drive-equality-and-diversity/
Cases
Prosecution
R v Spackman & Others (“Operation Starlight”)
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/inside-liverpool-drugs-gang-jailed-15289234
R v Purcell & Purcell
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-44728236
Defence
R v Adam Thomas (“Operation Harplike”)
https://news.sky.com/story/suspected-neo-nazi-father-posed-with-baby-adolf-while-wearing-kkk-robes-11522952
R v Buckland
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/965047/glamour-model-drugs-smuggling-chloe-buckland-avoid-jail
Appeal
R v McGarry – [2018] EWCA Crim 2519 – Historic child sexual abuse. Successful renewed application for leave to appeal sentence.
R v Edwards – [2018] EWCA Crim 245 – Kidnap and wounding with intent
R v Franey – unreported – Successful appeal of sentence imposed for a series of a burglaries and an armed robbery
R v Meade – [2013] EWCA Crim 1235 – Successful leave to appeal sentence for tenth and eleventh breach of ASBO
R v Clarke [2013] EWHC 366 (Admim) – Appeal by way of case stated raising arguments regarding corroboration of speed measuring equipment and the admissibility of hearsay evidence
