Stephen Wells

Stephen is a criminal practitioner. He prosecutes and defends in Crown Courts and has appeared in the Court of Appeal in appeals against sentence and conviction. His practice has included cases of violence, firearms, offensive weapons, sexual offences (including offences against children), drugs offences (including large-scale importation and exportation), and offences of dishonesty. Stephen has experience of dealing with applications relating to evidence. He is familiar with modern slavery defences. He has advised the CPS and defence solicitors on evidence and procedure. 

Stephen has been a tutor on Bar Courses. He is also an accredited advocacy tutor trainer for Lincoln’s Inn where he trains tutors as well as teaching advocacy to pupils and to barristers on the new practitioners’ programme.

Notable cases:

R v Henderson Maidstone Crown Court

Defending an allegation of causing death by driving under the influence of drugs. He had run over a man who was lying in the road late at night. The defendant admitted smoking cannabis earlier in the day, but denied being impaired by it. He denied driving carelessly. He admitted causing death. He was acquitted. 

R v Bhagalia and others Bristol Crown Court

Defending a client accused of conspiracies to import, supply and export large quantities of synthetic cannabinoids. He was one of five defendants at trial. The defendant ran a shop providing mailboxes and parcel dispatch services. The Crown’s case was that he was “the logistics expert” in an organised crime gang. He was acquitted. 

R v Johnson Ipswich Crown Court

Defending a client accused of ABH and burglary. The Crown’s case was that he was one of six men who broke into a house at night and beat and threatened one of the occupants. The defendant was the only one arrested. During the incident, he suffered a deep wound to his forehead that appeared to have been caused by a machete or something similar. He denied having been one of the six men who broke in, asserting he had been at the address separately earlier in the evening and that he had been attacked by the alleged victim. He was convicted by a majority. 

Interests:

Stephen is a keen motorcyclist. He also enjoys sailing, walking and cooking.