Rachel Shenton > New Park Court Chambers > Leeds, England > Barrister Profile

Rachel Shenton

+44 (0)113 243 3277 clerks@newparkcourt.co.uk

Work Department

Crime

Position

Rachel Shenton is an experienced criminal advocate practising exclusively in crime and is regularly instructed by both the prosecution and defence in serious criminal cases. In particular, she specialises in murder, violence and serious sexual offences.

Rachel is routinely instructed in cases involving a wide range of sexual offences and is well known for her experience in handling such cases, including “grooming rings”, rape, sexual assault, historic abuse and familial offences, as well as digital sexual offences.

As well as conducting legally aided work she is also regularly sought out by private paying clients.

Rachel has a reputation as a formidable opponent with a high success rate across the board. She is a persuasive jury advocate and has particular skill in dealing with vulnerable witnesses, including children as young as 3 years old and other witnesses with learning disabilities, autism and other mental health problems. She is known for her attention to detail and diligent case preparation, as well as excellent client care.

Sexual Offences (Defendant)

• R v JH (Retrial listed February 2024). Rape and perverting the course of justice.
• R v CM and CM (April 2023). Trial and re-trial of sexual allegations made by four complainants over 10 years.
• R v KM (February 2023). Defendant acquitted of stranger attempted rape.

Sexual Offences (Prosecution)

• R v OH (2020). Defendant convicted of historic sexual assault upon a child.
• R v MB (2019). Defendant convicted of rape and sexual assault of a child family member.
• R v JG and AG (2019). Allegation of rape, sexual assault and grooming over several years. Defendant convicted and received 21 years.

Other Criminal Cases

• R v JK (March 2023). Allegations of attempted murder by a female Defendant using an electric screwdriver to attack her neighbour. Pleas to Section 18 and aggravated burglary accepted on the day of trial.
• R v Evitt & McGlacken (October 2022). Defendants convicted of murdering and dismembering their friend using a circular saw.
• R v Raheel Khan (October 2020). Defendant unanimously acquitted of murder by stabbing in Oldham.

Memberships

• Grade 4 Prosecutor
• RASSO qualified
• Qualified Advocacy Trainer at Middle Temple
• Lecturer in criminal law updates