The cases outlined are indicative of Steve Nelson’s huge experience of criminal defence.
Infanticide.
R v (A youth defendant) Central Criminal Court
Sole Counsel. Described by Steve as the most difficult case of his career. A tragic case involving a very young and vulnerable defendant and which involved the liaisons with a variety of child psychology and psychiatric services. It also involved some very disturbing and emotional CCTV evidence. Following a great number of representations and meetings with the Crown Prosecution Service the case was eventually dealt with by the Crown offering no evidence.
Murder
R v JSG Central Criminal Court
Junior. KC passed away early in a four-month trial. Although a new leader was brought on board, Steve did much of the heavy lifting throughout.
Client was a defendant in a complicated and potentially gang and/or drug related shooting. Very detailed examination of CCTV and telephone evidence established an evidential deficiency such that it was not possible to show the client knew of any plan to murder the deceased. Client acquitted of murder.
R v TJ Woolwich Crown Court
Junior. Alleged murder in Prison. Extensive examination of CCTV and various computerised logs. Client acquitted following half time submission.
R v JH Central Criminal Court
Junior. Multi-handed murder case. Client was a youth and at college, so significant potential impact on a young defendant’s future. Extensive examination of CCTV and phones. Acquittal for murder, conviction on lesser matters.
R v RW Central Criminal Court
Sole Counsel. Eventual accepted plea to Manslaughter by Reason of Diminished Responsibility. Extensive use of Psychiatric Evidence.
R v MS Maidstone Crown Court
Sole Counsel. Much research into ballistic and firearm evidence including recoil and position of firearms in relation the deceased’s pathology evidence. Acquitted of Murder.
R v AA Central Criminal Court
Junior in trial of issue where the defendant was ruled unfit to plead or stand trial by reason of Mental Illness. After examination of CCTV, blood spatter and other forensic evidence, Court found that the death did occur at the hands of the accused.
Sole Counsel when defendant’s health subsequently improved. Manslaughter admitted by reason of diminished responsibility.
R v WR Central Criminal Court
Junior in a case where the victim had been buried in unusual circumstances. The issue was whether it was Murder or Manslaughter and required a detailed examination of Blood Stains and splatter as well as an examination of Pathology when determining cause of death. The client was acquitted of Murder.
R v MB Central Criminal Court
Junior. Multi handed Murder case which required a good knowledge of the Law relating to Joint Enterprise. It was a shooting where it was unclear who had used the firearm. Defendant acquitted.
Attempted Murder and other Serious Violence
R v NN Newcastle Crown Court
A case early in Steve’s advocacy career where the client wanted him to conduct the trial. Case involved substantial Gangland violence in the North East. A knowledge of firearms and the early use of CCTV was of assistance.
R v DH Woolwich Crown Court
Multi-handed case involving serious Section 18 Violence, False Imprisonment and torture. Following a half time submission which reduced the matters the Jury had to consider in relation to Steve’s client by half, defendant was acquitted of all charges.
R v JT Woolwich Crown Court
Assault case where a Father was accused of serious violence against his own son. The circumstances were highly unusual and required a working knowledge of the local geography. Steve demonstrated that the alleged timings and places were impossible.
R v SA Maidstone Crown Court
Robbery and assault case where Steve was able to demonstrate using telephone evidence and CCTV timings that the Client could not have been the assailant. Defendant acquitted.
R v MH Woolwich Crown Court
Drugs and violence case with a very informed and determined client. Steve was able to build an empathy with the client such that they formed a good team in a matter which needed a knowledge of Blood Stains, DNA transfer and a very careful and controlled cross examination.
R v DW Woolwich Crown Court
Client was accused of a stabbing at a block of flats. Careful examination of the blood trail, scene photographs and DNA evidence showed that the complainant was in fact the aggressor. Client acquitted.
Other Cases
R v GY Woolwich Crown Court
Alleged defacing of the Stephen Lawrence memorial. A case early in Steve’s advocacy career, in which careful examination of various Police Officers established that the client was not involved.
R v CH Woolwich Crown Court
Arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered. In unusual circumstances Steve demonstrated that there was no reckless endangerment. Following representations the Crown accepted a plea to simple Arson. Client was conditionally discharged.
R v JS Woolwich Crown Court
A case involving Kidnap and Firearms in which it was shown the defendant played no part. Defendant acquitted following a half time submission.
R v DH Woolwich Crown Court
Kidnap and false imprisonment case which involved a firearm. Careful examination of the facts showed the defendant played no real part in events. Half time submission led to the dismissal of several counts on the indictment, client subsequently acquitted on the remaining counts.
R v MH Woolwich Crown Court
A difficult and complex matter involving drugs and assault. Lay client heavily invested in the case, and had dispensed with the services of several previous counsel and solicitors. Steve was instructed shortly before trial at which he achieved a hung jury. Prosecution offered no evidence at retrial.
