Mary McKeone

Overview

Mary is a leading criminal defence practitioner with considerable experience in serious violent and sexual offences. She undertakes the full range of work including murder, manslaughter, GBH and 'gangland' cases, large-scale drug conspiracies, large-scale public order offences, conspiracy to incite criminal damage, serious fraud and offences under the Immigration Acts.

She has also appeared in a number of high-profile cases including an IRA conspiracy to cause explosions in 1997 and the 2010 case of Hannah McIntyre, the teacher cleared of having sex with a pupil.

Notable Cases

R v Kathryn Roach (Bolton Crown Court 2011) – teacher charged with sending sexually explicit text messages to a school boy. This case was reported by the Manchester Evening News and by the BBC

R v M (Sheffield Crown Court, 2011) – rape – allegations of sexual abuse by three of defendant's five daughters – acquittal of all seventeen counts on the indictment.

Represented Hannah McIntyre, a Classics teacher at Merchant Taylor School in Liverpool, who was charged with having sexual intercourse with a pupil who at the time was 16 years old (2010)

R v Troiano (Warrington Crown Court, 2010) – teacher found not guilty of allegations of causing or enticing sexual activity with 16 year old in a classroom. This case was reported in the local media.

Junior counsel representing a juvenile who was charged with three murders and one attempted murder (2009)

Defending community police officer charged with misconduct (2009)

Appeal in relation to credit on demand (2009)

A five-handed case involving three armed robberies (2009)

Rapes and sexual assaults, some of which have involved a number of teachers (ongoing)

Judicial review (prison law adjudication) (2009)

Firearms with mental health issues (2008)

17-year-old charged alongside her mother with conspiracy to import 7kg of cocaine (2006)

Appeared for girlfriend charged with perverting the course of justice in Narel Sharpe murder case (2006) This case was reported by the BBC.

Leading defence junior in lengthy money laundering trial (several £million) (2005)

Leading junior in kidnapping and false imprisonment case (2004)

Represented a member of "Pitt Bull crew" for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life – three-month trial and subsequent gangland murder trial (2002)

Overview

Mary is particularly interested in cases which uphold prisoners' rights and challenge accepted principles. Over the past 18 months Mary has developed her prison law practice substantially particularly in the area of parole board hearings and judicial review. She undertakes all aspects of prison law work including adjudications, Parole Board hearings and Lifer Panels and judicial review relating to prison law.

Overview

Mary recently extended her practice to include all areas of civil actions against the police, which complement her criminal practice. She has a particular interest in cases involving false imprisonment, malicious prosecution and wrongful arrest.