Jo Shepherd
Call: 1993
Jo Shepherd
BA (Honours) History
[University College of North Wales (Bangor)
Post-graduate Diploma in Law (Common Professional Examination) [University of Huddersfield]
Bar Vocational Course
[Inns of Court School of Law, London]
Options: Landlord and Tenant (very competent) and Family Law (Competent)
Criminal Bar Association & Northern Circuit
Contact
T: 01274 722 560
Jo was called to the Bar by the Inner Temple in 1993 having completed her BA (Hons) degree in History at the University of Wales. Her pupillage was completed in London, and she has been instructed in Criminal Courts at all levels up to and including the High Court and the Court of Appeal.
She has a wide experience in both Defence and Prosecution and is a Grade 3/RASSO Prosecutor; and was formerly a Grade B for the Health & Safety Executive and HM Revenue and Customs.
Jo is an accredited pupil supervisor.
Her main areas of practice are Criminal Law and General Common Law including regulatory work.
Jo works predominantly in Leeds, Bradford and Manchester Crown Courts – both Prosecuting and Defending cases from Murder and rape to burglary and robbery.
Jo has a particular interest in Mental Health and its application to criminal law – both as a prosecution and defence advocate.
Jo has specialised in road traffic law, conducting cases at all levels -including before the High Court and Administrative Court:
R v B ex parte Preston Crown Court (Administrative Court - Road traffic appeal on costs from Central funds) [2002]
R v M (Case Stated Appeal in High Court - Road Traffic) [2003]
Reputation
Jo has almost 30 years’ experience at the criminal bar.
Expertise
Jo has almost 30 years’ experience at the criminal bar, both prosecuting and defending, practising at all levels and on both sides of the Pennines, initially in Courts throughout the North West and latterly Leeds, Bradford and York Crown Courts.
Notable Cases
R v Bradshaw [2024] Leeds Crown Court – prosecution. 20 year sentence. Three counts of rape of a girl under 13, 11 counts of making an indecent photograph or pseudo photograph of a child, distributing an indecent photograph or pseudo photograph of a child, two counts of possession of a prohibited image of a child, possession of an extreme pornographic images and assault of a girl under 13. https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/news/leeds-news/sick-leeds-pervert-matthew-bradshaw-29522363
R v M [2022] Bradford Crown Court – defence historic sexual offences
R v C [2022] Leeds Crown Court – defence section 18/Dangerous offender
R v K [2021] Bradford Crown Court – Defence of mentally ill offender charged with Arson
R v Z [2021] York Crown Court – defence rape trial
R v J [2021] Leeds Crown Court – defence rape trial
R v G [2021] Chester Crown Court – defence historic sexual offences trial
R v W [2021] Bradford Crown Court – defence of youth charged with rape.
R v H [2019] Liverpool Crown Court – successfully vacated Guilty plea to section 18 and successfully defended at subsequent trial.
R v S [2019] Chester Crown Court – successfully defended a Defendant with Alzheimer’s charged with historic sexual abuse
R v T (Perverting the course of justice – false alibi to son- lead Defendant in gangland murder) – Liverpool Crown Court [2016] http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/14501799.False_alibi_mum_jailed_for_trying_to_help_killer_son_after__brutal_gang_murder_/
R v L (Prosecution – Fitness to plead and successful Proof of Act/omission) [2016] Leeds Crown Court
R v S (Section 47 trial) Preston Crown Court [2016]
R v M – Class A drugs conspiracy – Liverpool Crown Court [2015]
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/skelmersdale-drugs-gang-sentenced-total-9158118
R v W (Prosecution of Fitness to plead and successful proof of act/omission) [2015] Manchester Crown Court
R v T (section 20 where complainant left with permanent disabilities – conviction following trial) [2014] York Crown Court
R v F (sexual offences committed following release on parole after 20 years – Dangerousness provisions) [2014] – Preston Crown Court
R v B (Successful Prosecution on Section 20 wounding) [2014] Bradford Crown Court
R v L (£200k Theft from Employer by Wife - Acquitted after trial of money laundering - Preston Crown Court) [2012]
R v B (Preston Crown Court – Attempted Murder trial) [2012]
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-17789545
W v DPP (Crown Court - appeal against sentence - “April Jones troll” [2012]
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-20155928
R v H (Murder – pleaded to manslaughter) Liverpool Crown Court [2012]
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-20684079
R v C (Liverpool Crown Court – defended police officer charged with misconduct in public office) [2011]
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/formby-ex-police-officer-jailed-affair-3367078
R v H & Another (successful Appeal against Conviction – Court of Appeal) [2011]
R v P & Others (Defence in multi-handed Drug conspiracy – Preston Crown Court) [2011]
http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/13-men-face-jail-over-north-west-drugs-conspiracy-1-3986089
R v H (Appeal against Sentence – Court of Appeal
Miss Shepherd was commended by the Honourable Mrs Justice Rafferty on both preparation & presentation) [2010]
R v S & Another (Infamous “Furry case” - Conspiracy to Murder – Junior for Defence – Preston Crown Court) [2009]
R v L (Multi-count historical sex case – Defendant with learning disabilities – Preston Crown Court [2007]
R v Unsworth & S (Murder – Preston Crown Court – junior for the Crown) [2007]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/lancashire/6369319.stm
Clerks
