Maria specialises in criminal law having begun her career at the Bar in London before moving to Chester in 2003. She is a robust advocate, with a tenacious approach to cases. She has vast experience of dealing with cases involving vulnerable individuals be those defendant’s and or witnesses.
Whilst in London she acted as junior counsel in a number of cases; including offences of child abuse (shaken baby syndrome), multiple defendant rape, drugs importations, kidnap and murder.
In 2003 she left London to join 1 Stanley Place where she has since developed her practise to include prosecution work.
She is a Category 4 prosecutor and a member of the RASSO panel. She has also conducted cases for HMCE and Local Authorities.
Maria is regularly instructed in cases involving serious and highly sensitive allegations of a sexual nature.
Maria has experience acting as junior counsel and leading counsel in the Crown Court.
Homicide
Sanderson – defended a 15 year old charged with manslaughter. Cut throat defence. Defendant acquitted.
Williams – junior for defence of one of two females charged with premeditated murder of businesswoman.
Wilkinson 2021 – junior for prosecution. Anonymity order in respect of main prosecution witness.
Bagall 2021 – junior for defence where the crown’s case was entirely circumstantial until a cell confession. Case required detailed analysis of CCTV, forensics, cell site evidence.
Houghton 2021– junior for defence. Successful case of diminished responsibility for multiple stabbing murder.
Heath 2022 – Junior in case with unusual shake/impact injuries to infant child while in sole care. Defendant convicted of manslaughter.
Sexual Offences
Macbeth – acted for former 1960’s pop artist charged with sexual offences. Successfully appealed Defendant’s sentence.
Junior counsel in an operation Palial prosecution.
Dos Santos / Bleach. Successfully defended rape allegations where crown rely on ‘confession evidence’ via media.
Walters – rape case stopped at half time following successful pursuit of social media disclosure.
Thelwell – successfully defended multiple complainant historic sex abuse allegations against relative.
Successful defence of rape allegation where Defendant was unfit to plead/stand trial.
Gibson – Prosecution of serving police officer for misconduct involving a sex act.
Violence
Welsh 2021 – successful intoxication in s18 wounding case where bottle used to inflict permanent injury.
Drug conspiracies
Operation Blue Fedora 2022 – defending large scale conspiracy to supply into North Wales.
Blue Cobalt 2022 – defending large scale conspiracy into North Wales.
LLB hons
Member of Lincoln’s Inn
Member of the Criminal Bar Association
Category 4 CPS Prosecutor
RASSO panel member
Vulnerable Witness Facilitator (ICCA)
Category 4 prosecutor
