Simon Medland QC successfully defends teenager on murder charge

July 31, 2014

Simon Medland QC from Exchange Chambers has successfully defended a teenager who has been cleared of murder after killing her mother.

Rebecca Durkin, 19, from Southport admitted the unlawful killing of hospital cleaner Clancy Durkin at the house they shared in Birkdale. Her defence to the murder charge was that she did not intend for her mother to die and that she momentarily lost her self control after years of abuse at the hands of her mother. A jury took just two and a half hours to find the Southport College attending teenager not guilty of murder.

Ms Durkin admitted manslaughter and will be sentenced next month after Judge Clement Goldstone ordered a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

Simon Medland QC was instructed by Julie Murphy of ABR Solicitors.

Brain Cummings QC from Exchange Chambers prosecuted the case.

Simon’s experience and specialisms encompass all aspects of serious crime. He has prosecuted and defended in some of the region’s most serious cases including many cases of murder, attempted murder and child destruction, child cruelty, serious sexual offending including historic sexual abuse and manslaughter. He was called to the Bar in 1991 by Middle Temple.

Simon is a vastly experienced member of the criminal team at Exchange Chambers.