Nick Johnson QC secures murder convictions in multi-handed shooting

January 5, 2017

Nick Johnson QC, having taken silk just last year, has already been instructed in a number of murder trials as leading counsel, including successfully prosecuting three defendants charged with murder in a trial which was completed last month at Teesside Crown Court. The victim, Lee Pettite, was shot first in the foot and then through the back as he was running away. Nick advised that three men, Stubbs, Lovell and Smith be charged on a joint enterprise basis, arguing that Lovell and Smith assisted Stubbs, who fired the gun, with the necessary intent by carrying out a targeted, planned and persistent attack. Having obtained expert evidence from psychiatrists and neuro-psychologists which addressed Stubbs’ defence, Stubbs pleaded guilty to murder on the first day of trial. After 4 weeks, the jury found Lovell also guilty of murder and Smith guilty of manslaughter. Stubbs and Lovell received life sentences with minimum terms of 24 and 25 years respectively, with Smith receiving a 12 year sentence.

Commenting on the case, Nick said “It was a real pleasure working alongside a dedicated homicide team and CPS specialists, despite the considerable challenges in this case. Many witnesses were extremely reluctant to attend through fear in the local community and we also faced the stricter requirements of the law of joint enterprise as defined recently by the Supreme Court.”

Nick continues to specialise in fraud and corporate criminal matters, alongside his serious and organised crime practice. You can find out more about him at his website www.nickjohnsonqc.com.