Martin Stephens (judge)

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Judge Martin Stephens
Circuit judge
In office
1986–1999
Appointed byElizabeth II
Crown Court Recorder
In office
1979–1986
Personal details
Born(1939-06-26)26 June 1939
Died15 April 2024(2024-04-15) (aged 84)
Residence(s)London, United Kingdom
OccupationJudge

Stephen Martin Stephens KC (26 June 1939 – 15 April 2024) was a British judge.[1] He was called to Bar in 1963 and took Silk in 1982. He was appointed a Recorder in 1979, as a Circuit Judge in 1986 and then appointed a Judge of the Central Criminal Court in 1999.[2] He was a former member of the Parole Board of England and Wales.[3] Stephens died on 15 April 2024, at the age of 84.[4]

Cases[edit]

In January 2009 Stephens presided over the trial of James Hopkins accused of murdering Ms Browne, a transsexual prostitute based in Marylebone.[5] Hopkins was found guilty of the murder of Browne who had a number of celebrities among her clients.[6] Prosecuting Hopkins, barrister for the prosecution commented: "There is some evidence that Ms Browne did have some clients who were in the public eye."[7] The court heard that Hopkins' palm prints were found on the Sun and another publication in a plastic bag on the floor.[8] Browne lived in a flat at 6b Gosfield Street, Marylebone, London, and advertised for clients in phone kiosks and newspapers including the Sunday Sport.[9] Police launched a murder inquiry after Browne's body was found in her central London flat in W1 on 28 February 1997.[10]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Stephens, His Honour (Stephen) Martin". WHO'S WHO 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Circuit Bench Retirement – Stephens". 16 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  3. ^ "Notice of re-appointments to the Parole Board". 16 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  4. ^ "Martin Stephens". The Times. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Notice of re-appointments to the Parole Board". 16 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  6. ^ "Roofer jailed for murdering transsexual prostitute with celebrity clients". 16 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  7. ^ "A man was convicted today of killing a transsexual prostitute 10 years ago after being trapped by a palm print". 16 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  8. ^ "A roofer has been found guilty in the 11-year-old murder case of a transsexual prostitute in London". 16 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  9. ^ "roofer now living in Leeds confessed to the 1997 killing of a pre-op transsexual prostitute in letters to his partner and young son, a court heard on Tuesday". 16 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  10. ^ "Man convicted of 1997 murder of trans sex worker Robyn Browne". 16 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
Legal offices
Preceded by
Unknown
Circuit Judge
1986–1999
Incumbent