Katie Spence
Katie joined Dere Street following a successful eighteen months working as an inhouse barrister (and pupil) at one of the largest criminal firms in London. Katie is a criminal practitioner and accepts instructions in the youth, magistrates and Crown Court.
Katie has been instructed as trial counsel on a variety of matters including public order, offences against the person, possession of offensive weapons, drugs matters, dishonesty offences and driving matters.
Katie’s delivery of oral arguments and presence in court has been commended by the judiciary both during trial and during complex sentencing hearings.
Prior to coming to be bar Katie worked as a criminal appeals paralegal dealing with out of time criminal appeals against both conviction and sentence and assisting with the preparation cases to go before the single Judge/ CCRC.
Notable Cases
R v L
The defendant faced three counts of intentional strangulation, ABH and assault. Following cross examination of the complainant in this case the Crown offered no evidence and the jury were directed to return verdicts of not guilty.
R V C
The defendant was acquitted by a jury following a three day trial in which he faced a charge of ABH.
R V S
The defendant was charged with affray, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage. Following representations made by the defence on the morning of trial, the Crown accepted a restraining order on acquittal. Allowing the defendant to retain his good character and avoid a term of imprisonment.
R V H
Katie acted as junior counsel in a six week trial in Teesside Crown court for offences of rape and child cruelty.
R V F
Katie represented a young man with learning difficulties who was charged with harassment and stalking. After a long legal argument and written representations, the Crown was convinced to offer a restraining order in place of a conviction. The clients good character remained intact.
R V M
Jury trial in the Royal Courts of Justice on one count of attempted theft of a motor vehicle.
R V W
Common assault and assault emergency worker. Katie successfully opposed a res Gestae application, and the Crown offered no evidence to the first charge. Katie made a successful half time submission in respect of the second.
R V H-
H was charged with drug driving. Following disclosure issues raised on the day of trial the prosecution was forced to offer no evidence following submissions made by Katie.
R V M
Appeal against conviction. Katie’s half time submission was successful under the second limb of Galbraith after scrutiny of the officer’s body worn video and the case was stopped at half time with the appeal allowed
R V S
Client was charged with 2 x ABH. Katie successfully argued that the Crown’s case could not be proved having carefully examined the complainant and obtained admissions that she was in fact not certain who threw the brick though her window causing herself and another actual bodily harm.
R V S
Client was charged with an assault on his ex-partner. Katie challenged the complainant and witness on their account based on contradicting body worn footage served the morning of trial. The defendant was acquitted, and his good character remained intact.
R V T
Client was charged with failing to provide a specimen when requested to do so by police. Following a two-day trial with evidence given by five police officers and one civilian witness, Katie made successful submissions that the defendant’s mental state at the time amounted to a reasonable excuse in the circumstances.
R V C
Client was originally sentenced in the lower court for speeding and acquired a totting up disqualification. The magistrates did not accept the submissions made that the defendant had exceptional hardship and should not lose his driver’s licence. Upon appeal, Katie successfully argued that the defendants’ exceptional circumstances amounted to exceptional hardship and the defendant was able to keep his driver’s licence.
R V W
The defendant stood to be sentenced for two offences. Possession of a knife and threats to kill. Katie successfully argued that although the offences clearly passed the custody threshold the defendant’s mitigation was incredibly important. The Judge passed sentence of a 24 months community order.
Memberships
The Honourable Society of Middle Temple
Qualifications
MLAW Exempting BPTC, First Class Honours/ Very competent
Prizes
Highest mark BPTC family practice.
Blackstone’s Criminal Advocacy finalist
Northumbria University mooting society winner
Other interests
Katie is a keen netballer player, coach and umpire. In the summer months, Katie can be found surfing and open water swimming.
