4/5 GRANGE ROAD WEST, JARROW, TYNE & WEAR, NE32 3JA
CRIMINAL
LAW
Our criminal law department advises on over 2500 criminal matters each year. We offer 24 hour cover at police stations every day of the year. We employ highly qualified criminal litigators and advocates who have in total 150 years of experience in both Magistrates Court and Crown Court. Geoffrey Forrester has been identified in the Legal 500 as one of the foremost criminal practitioners in the whole of the North East.
QUALITY
LEGAL ADVICE
All road traffic offences including exceptional hardship arguments and applications to restore driving licences
All dishonesty-based offences including allegations of benefit fraud
Sex Offences including historic sex cases
Murder and other homicide charges
Drugs offences
Assault and other offences of violence
Public Order offences
THE CRIMINAL LAW TEAM
GEOFFREY FORRESTER
Geoffrey Forrester is recognised as the leading criminal defence practitioner in the North East of England. He has over 45 years of experience and acts regularly for professional clients on both a legally aided and private paying basis. He has acted in over 20 homicide cases and developed a reputation as a fearless defender of his clients interests. He also specialises in drink driving and technical defence cases in the Magistrates Court.
MICHELLE STONLEY
Michelle is a Director at the firm and is Head of the Crown Court department. She began her career in criminal law over 30 years ago when she joined the firm.
Michelle initially obtained her Institute of Legal Executives qualification before completing a degree in law at Northumbria University. She qualified as a solicitor in 2013 and went on to achieve her Higher Courts (Criminal Advocacy) Qualification in 2015, enabling her to appear before the Crown Court. She is Court duty and police station accredited.
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Michelle has successfully dealt with all types of criminal cases including murder, manslaughter, serious sexual offences, drugs conspiracies and proceeds of crime applications.
DAVID FORRESTER
David Forrester is a Director specialising in criminal law. With over 25 years of advocacy and litigation experience he regularly deals with all types of criminal defence work including murder, manslaughter and serious sexual offences as well as all types of driving offences and benefit fraud matters.
David obtained a 2.1honours degree in Law from Durham University and completed the Legal Practice Course at Northumbria University.
He is father of two and in his spare time is an avid basketball fan and podcaster.
VALERIE BELL
Val is a Director at the firm, specialising in criminal work. Val started her two year Articles at the firm in 1988, having obtained her LLB (hons) degree at Newcastle Polytechnic. She qualified as a solicitor in 1990.
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Val has over 30 years’ experience in dealing with all manner of criminal work. She has a particular interest in representing juveniles and other vulnerable members of society. Val is also qualified as a Duty Solicitor enabling her to represent clients without their own representation at both the police station and Court.
SANDRA BURDEN
Sandra joined our firm as a criminal secretary in 2007. After expressing a particular interest in Crown Court matters she began working with the department as a paralegal in 2018.
Sandra has dealt with a variety of Crown Court matters including serious sexual offences, driving offences, public order offences and offences against the person. She is responsible for all aspects of Crown Court work including assisting clients with drafting statements, attending criminal trials and supporting the clients alongside their Barrister and instructing experts to file reports within criminal proceedings.
Sandra is often praised by clients for her approachable manner and efficiency in dealing with matters.
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JADE HOUSTON
Jade joined us in September 2022 after graduating from Sunderland University with a 2:1 Law Degree (LLB).
She is currently working as a Trainee Solicitor in our Crown Court department. Jade is enthusiastic and conscientious and has quickly become a key member of our team.
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Jill is a Paralegal who works within our Crown Court department.
Jill has obtained a 2.1 degree in law, as well as a Masters in criminal Law and procedure.
Jill has also completed a Legal Executive qualification in criminal law. She has almost 10 years’ experience of working within the Criminal Justice System and has worked on a number of high profile cases, including serious sexual offences and murders.