Martin Stephens (judge)

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]

His Honour
Judge Martin Stephens
KC
Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom
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

Cases

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

References
  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.


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