Kate Young
Senior Associate specialising in
Criminal Defence & Pre-Charge
Kate began working in criminal defence in 2008 and quickly attained accreditation as a police station representative. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2010 specialising in Criminal defence. Kate then progressed further and gained duty status in 2011 allowing her to represent clients at Court and the police station under the Duty Solicitor scheme. In 2017 she was awarded Higher Rights of Audience enabling her to represent clients before the Crown Court.
In addition to Criminal law, Kate has practised Childcare law and Regulatory work including Health and Safety prosecutions. On a regular basis, representing clients before the Magistrates Court, the Youth Court, the Crown Court, and in Family proceedings. She also has experience of defending individuals facing regulatory matters brought by the General Medical Council and the General Osteopathic Council.
Since qualification, Kate has specialised in defending clients charged with serious cases with particular emphasis on defending sexual allegations. She is a skilled trial advocate ensuring cases are prepared meticulously.
She regularly attends Court and the police station providing robust and clear advice based upon current legislation and case law.
Kate has considerable experience covering the full spectrum of criminal offences from low level matters to the most serious offences. She is now specialising in Pre Charge Engagement and has successfully completed the Olliers Training Academy in this discipline. She is keen to identify lines of enquiry at an early stage to steer police away from charge. She appreciates that clients will often have little knowledge of the criminal justice system and takes time to explain matters carefully and to ensure her clients are kept up to date every step of the way. As a Duty Solicitor, Kate attends those in need of the scheme at the Magistrates Court and the Police Station. She also attends Court and the Police Station on a private basis and engages the police in Pre Charge Engagement. She is instructed on both a private and legal aid basis.
Case Studies
Regulatory
- GMC v K – Represented an individual seeking restoration. Client had not been advised on legal implications of voluntary erasure. Provided advice and client sought not to be restored at this time. Ensured client was not banned from making further applications.
- GOC v E – Represented a client before the Professional Conduct Committee regarding fitness to practise. The case was concluded with no findings against the client.
- HSE v U – Prosecution involving a breach of Health and Safety Regulations causing injury. Client accepted breach and was fined.
- HSE v G – Prosecution involving a fatality following an alleged breach of Health and Safety Regulations.
- HSE v H – Prosecution involving a serious injury following an alleged breach of Health and Safety Regulations.
Crime
- R v C – Client faced an allegation of s47 Assault involving glassing another in a nightclub. Client acquitted at trial.
- R v D – Client faced an allegation of s39 Assault by beating. Prosecution offered no evidence and the case was dismissed.
- R v H – Client faced a matter of driving without due care. Client kept his driving licence and points were imposed.
- R v S – Indecent exposure. Client accused of exposing himself at a public transport stop on five separate occasions. Client acquitted at trial.
- R v E – Client accused of assault but asserted that the complainant had been the aggressor. Following a request for disclosure, received notification that the complainant had a relevant previous conviction for violence. Successfully made an application to introduce this relevant non-defendant bad character evidence at trial to demonstrate that the complainant had a propensity for violence.
- R v M – Client accused of owning a dog dangerously out of control causing injury to several victims. Expert instructed who determined dog was not dangerous. Client given animal banning order for 2 years and the court did not impose a destruction order.
- R v S – Client charged with common assault and criminal damage. Client entered an early guilty plea and following mitigation was sentenced to an 18-month conditional discharge and successfully opposed a restraining order.
- R v M – Client charged with Fraud by False Representation and Receiving Stolen Goods. Client entered an early guilty plea and following mitigation received a 12-month Community Order.
- R v P – Client charged with theft. Client entered an early guilty plea and following mitigation received a financial penalty.
- R v E – Successfully argued for the Prosecution to withdraw a charge of drunk and disorderly. Client accepted assaulting a police officer and was sentenced to a community order following mitigation.
- R v B – Following client’s failure to attend trial, he was arrested and brought before the Court. Successfully secured bail with conditions and arranged a future trial date.
Other cases – recent cases
- R v C – September 2022 – Attended the police station for a client accused of money laundering. Submission of prepared statement and No Further Action was taken.
- R v B – August 2022 – Client was accused of assisting an offender in relation to a murder investigation. Following advice at the police station, No Further Action was taken.
- R v J – July 2022 – Implemented Pre Charge Engagement in respect of an alleged matter of possession of indecent images. Following representations and further disclosure, No Further Action was taken against him.
- R v S – May 2022 – Police interview where client was accused of Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm against three individuals. Following advice and further representations No Further Action was taken.
- R v C – May 2022 – Discharge of historic Sexual Offences Prevention Order. Successfully applied to the Court for client’s restrictive and archaic order to be discharged.
- R v B – May 2022 – Attended the police station for a client accused of common assault. Following advice and interview no further action was taken.
- R v D – April 2022 – Implemented Pre Charge Engagement in respect of an alleged rape case. Following requests and lines of enquiry, no further action was taken.
- R v W – March 2022 – Implemented Pre Charge Engagement in respect of an alleged rape case. Following requests and lines of enquiry, No further action was taken.
- R v H – March 2022 – Represented a client in Pre Charge Investigation. Accused of possession of indecent images. Following representations and further disclosure, No Further Action was taken against him.
- R v M – February 2022 – Client accused of common assault. Made a successful submission of no case to answer at trial following cross examination of complainant. Client was acquitted.
- R v L – February 2022 – Represented a client at the police station accused of a domestic assault. Following advice and interview No Further Action was taken.
- R v Z – January 2022 – Represented a client at the police station accused of a domestic assault. Following advice and interview No Further Action was taken.
- R v Z – January 2022 – Represented a client at the police station accused of a domestic assault. Following advice and interview received a police caution.
- R v H – December 2021 – Represented a client in Pre Charge Investigation. Accused of possession of indecent images. Following representations and further disclosure, No Further Action was taken against him.
- R v A – December 2021 – Represented a client at the police station accused of controlling/coercive behaviour and common assault. No further Action following police interview.
Membership of Organisations, Focus Groups & Mentoring
- Olliers- Pre Charge Engagement Academy- September 2022
- Higher Rights – May 2017
- Duty Solicitor – October 2011
- Solicitor- November 2010
- Accredited Police Station Representative- 2009
Testimonials
“After chatting with Matthew and he showed his professional knowledge and I decided to go for them as crime specialist. Kate and Hannah are dealing with my case and they are very helpful and professional skills and help me pass the hard time. And I would like to thank them and Olliers solicitor with good service. And they worked with the barrister very well also. I would like to recommend them dealing with crime case.”
“Kate, thank you so much for your advice I could tell you knew it was very out of the ordinary to me.”
“You have helped me gain a better understanding of self and I wish you all the best.”
“Many, many thanks for your efforts regarding this matter and for your ‘above and beyond’ call.”
