Stephen Wood KC
Head of Chambers - Call: 1991 | Silk: 2020
Stephen Wood KC
Qualifications: LL.B.(Hons)
Contact
T: 01274 722 560 or 0113 246 2600
Stephen Wood KC is renowned for his expertise in the prosecution and defence of cases involving homicide and organised crime.
Prior to his appointment to Silk in 2020, Stephen was widely acknowledged as being one of the foremost juniors on Circuit. He excels as a trial advocate and is a formidable cross-examiner.
Stephen possesses excellent judgment married with an acute tactical awareness for all stages of the prosecution process.
Stephen’s encyclopaedic knowledge of criminal law, the sentencing provisions and of the Criminal Procedure Rules is acknowledged by other legal professionals and the judiciary; one Judge remarking that Stephen was a “..walking talking Archbold”. Accordingly, Stephen acts in an advisory capacity pre-charge in cases involving prosecutions where there is a novel issue of law.
Stephen’s practice now encompasses all aspects of serious and organised crime and the most serious cases of sexual offending. Described by a High Court Judge as a “first rate prosecutor”, Stephen is dedicated and hard-working and instils great confidence in those who work with him.
Stephen also works with screenplay writers and directors on television and film productions depicting court scenes. He was with the director on set during filming of the Crown Court scenes in the acclaimed Channel 4 series ‘National Treasure’ and advised the writer and director of the Netflix Drama “I Came By”.
Reputation
"Stephen has a 'hands-on' style and is always willing to advise”.
"Stephen is always well prepared and approachable and has offered a high level of service ”.
"Stephen Wood KC is ‘well-prepared and courageous in court’ and ‘devastating in cross-examination’, with an established track record in prosecuting and defending in a wide range of serious criminal matters”.
"Stephen is a fearless cross-examiner and his jury speeches are perfectly pitched. He is a good operator, tactically astute. Juries love him”.
"Stephen Wood KC is a well-regarded practitioner with experience on both the prosecution and defence sides of criminal proceedings. He has experience handling serious criminal cases including murder and sexual offences. He is a Grade 4 prosecutor who appears in the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal”.
"He is a fluent advocate and has great ability at enabling juries to understand complex issues. A tactically astute silk who is great with clients”.
"He prosecutes serious cases extremely effectively in a calm, understated, and fair-minded way. He is highly organised. His cross examinations are focused, and to the point. He stands his ground with judges and is good at maintaining his case strategy. He is engaging with juries. He obviously commands the respect of those who instruct him and his opponents”.
"Stephen Wood has an extensive criminal defence practice”.
"Highly rated for serious crime defence”.
"Stephen Wood is ‘good with difficult clients’ with experience in fraud and conspiracy”.
"An excellent choice for heavy crime”.
" “Very Good with difficult clients… Well followed as a serious crime defender”.
" Always has an ace up his sleeve when defending heavy crime”.
Expertise
Stephen is instructed in an advisory capacity and for advocacy in all aspects of serious crime and including offences with novel points of law. His experience includes:
• Child sexual exploitation and trafficking;
• Serious drug offences;
• Firearm offences
• Organised crime;
• Murder and manslaughter;
• Terrorism.
Stephen prosecutes and defends at every stage of the criminal process, from pre-charge advice for prosecuting authorities and individuals and companies subject to investigation, to representation at trial and at any appeal.
Stephen is also instructed to advise upon and conduct cases before the Administrative Court and appellate courts concerning judicial review of matters relating to criminal law.
Stephen also acts as an advocacy trainer.
Notable Cases
R v Leon Smith (2024) - Hull Crown Court
Murder Acquittal. Following a trial that lasted approximately 4 weeks, Stephen Wood KC and his Junior Charlotte Baines of Wilberforce Chambers Hull, secured an acquittal for their client Leon Smith. Mr Smith was found not guilty of both murder and the alternative manslaughter. https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/young-man-cleared-over-death-9765037
R v Jason Gowen (2024) - Preston Crown Court
Stephen Wood KC prosecuted Gowen who strangled and smothered a mother-of-two to death after already being on bail for attacking another woman. Gowen received a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years. News Coverage: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12973425/Abusive-boyfriend-28-strangled-smothered-mother-two-37-death-bail-attacking-woman-killer-faces-life-jail.html
R v Anon (2024) - Leeds Crown Court
Stephen led Abigail Langford prosecuted two teenagers for hacking to death Harley Brown, using machetes. News Coverage: https://news.sky.com/story/harley-browns-killers-sentenced-to-life-for-stabbing-him-to-death-after- chance-meeting-outside-huddersfield-shop-13033725
R v Mark Vaskouski (2024) - Hull Crown Court
Defendant convicted of murder having assaulted victim and left him in a flat which was already on fire causing death. News Coverage: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ced1p527v61o
R v Feve, Wattam and ors (2023) - Hull Crown Court
Led Clare Walsh and successfully prosecuted defendants for Murder, Manslaughter and Perverting the Course of Justice. News coverage: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/grimsby-news/kian-feve-guilty-murdering-jack-8960407 and https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2e20rv7g22o
Rex v Moyo, Gill and Rehman (2023)- Sheffield Crown Court
Instructed by Yorkshire and Humberside Complex CPS Complex Casework Unit, this was the first case to be prosecuted in the United Kingdom involving the production of functioning sub-machine guns using a 3D printer. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-64900210
R v X (2023)- Bradford Crown Court
Defending mother for attempted murder of very young child.
R v Selmani & Senia (2023)- Sheffield Crown Court
Instructed to prosecute in the retrial for the manslaughter of Armend Xhika. Selmani was sentenced to 20 years and Senia 13 years and four months. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-67168728
R v Jabari Fanty and Others (2022)
Sheffield Crown Court, Prosecution, Obtained convictions after trial of all Defendants on all counts for murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to possess modified firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life, and conspiracy to supply controlled drugs of Class A. One of the most complex cases to be investigated by South Yorkshire Police. Instructed by Yorkshire and Humberside Complex Casework Unit. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-61986797
R v Butt (2021)- Leeds Crown Court
Prosecution: Killing using motor car as weapon
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-56860006
And before the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)
https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/crime/sadistic-leeds-murderer-loses-appeal-to-have-his-28-year-sentence-reduced-3547729
R v Taylor Meanley and Others (2021)
Prosecution: Execution of rival gang member using ‘slam gun’.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-59085628
R v Jaspal Marwaha (2021) – Leeds Crown Court
Prosecution: Advising on charge and prosecuting first prosecution of its kind involving ‘Airbow’ weapon and verdict establishing weapon was ‘firearm’ withing meaning of Firearms Act 1968
https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/crime/an-utterly-lethal-weapon-how-leeds-jurors-made-landmark-legal-ruling-on-the-deadly-airbow-3445912
R v Mottershead and Others (2021) – Sheffield Crown Court
Prosecution: Gangland shooting
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-55591197
R v X (2020)– Bradford Crown Court
Prosecution: Mother suffocating children.
https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/18800526.bradford-mum-tried-strangle-poison-young-sons-given-indefinite-hospital-order/
R v Lloyd Birkby (2020) – Bradford Crown Court
Defence: Death caused by throwing mobile phone at victim.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-52215975
R v Paul Crowther (2020) – Leeds Crown Court
Defence: Killing by Defendant who heard voices commanding him.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-54077848
R v Stephen Dunford & Others (2020) – Sheffield Crown Court
Prosecution: Series of gangland related shootings, culminating in shooting of 12 year old boy.
https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/crime/live-updates-sheffield-gangster-stephen-dunford-given-life-imprisonment-over-attempted-murder-12-year-old-boy-drive-shooting-2995445
R v Sharples (2020) – Liverpool Crown Court
Defence: Murder by mixed martial artist.
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/boozed-up-nutcase-beat-vulnerable-19104180
R v Ian Watkins (2019)– Leeds Crown Court
Prosecution: Offences committed by former lead singer of The LostProphets in prison.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-49294092
R v Crossland (2019) – York Crown Court
Prosecution: Largest ever haul of IIOC in North Yorkshire and Firearms offences.
https://www.itv.com/news/2019-03-11/pensioner-jailed-over-one-of-largest-hauls-of-indecent-images-found-in-england
R v John Taylor (2018) – Leeds Crown Court
Prosecution: Cold case review of serious sexual offences committed by Defendant already serving life for murder.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-45990773
R v Neil Taggart – Leeds Crown Court
Defence of former Lord Mayor of Leeds
https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2017-07-04/disgraced-former-lord-mayor-jailed-for-sex-offences
Clerks
