My background

My journey with the Crown Prosecution Service started in the North East back in 1988, as an admin officer providing support to prosecutors. I occasionally got the chance to visit court and was intrigued by the proceedings - it brought to life the information that I saw every day on files. I was then promoted to law clerk in the Crown Court.

When I sat behind counsel in trials, I’d wish I could ask the questions or present the case to the judge – but I never dreamt it could be a reality because I have no qualifications beyond A levels. And then the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came along like a fairy godmother, introducing the role of associate prosecutor. I qualified as an associate prosecutor in 2000 and undertook prosecutions in guilty plea cases. The role evolved over time, and I was soon prosecuting remand courts, sentencing and youth courts too.

The Crown Prosecution Service sponsored me to study for my law degree, which I completed in 2006. I had my daughter in 2008 and, when I found myself a divorced, single mother in 2010, I was more determined than ever to be a good role model to her. I was successful with further sponsorship through the Crown Prosecution Service prosecutor pathway to study my Legal Practice Course. It was hard work – I was studying over 20 hours a week in addition to full-time work – but I dug deep and completed the qualification with a commendation. I then successfully applied to become a Crown Prosecution Service legal trainee and qualified as a crown prosecutor, before securing a senior crown prosecutor position in 2024.

Hear more about my experience as a Crown Prosecution Service legal trainee

My inspiration

Working for the Crown Prosecution Service gives me a real sense of pride. A prosecutor is the public face of the organisation, and I’m passionate that all victims of crime have a positive experience of the court process. I have direct contact with victims and witnesses as well as members of the criminal justice system, and I leave work feeling I’ve accomplished something that will affect people, hopefully in a positive way. The outcome isn’t always positive but, with the right explanation, I know that most victims and witnesses leave the court process knowing that they have been listened to and supported throughout the process. Every day is a learning day as no two cases are the same. I have the best colleagues and managers. It’s a real team effort. This job has made me a more understanding person and my view of the world is a better one as a result of my career.

My typical day

Working in the advocacy team of the magistrates’ court unit, my week is divided between being in court, reviewing cases, providing charging authority to the police and managing my allocated cases.

I’m in court two or three days each week, prosecuting remand courts, trials, ‘not guilty’ plea courts, youth courts, the whole remit.

In trial courts I speak to the witnesses before the court starts, provide them with a copy of their statement and explain what will happen. It gives me the chance to introduce myself so that they aren’t walking into a room full of people they’ve never seen before. This is so important - it's an alien environment for them and we want them to be able to achieve their best evidence.

I always ask victims if they would like to me to notify them of the trial outcome, so after court I call them with an update. Witness care is a vital part of my role - there would be no prosecution without victims and witnesses. I then make sure that my court has been correctly submitted and check my commitments for the next day. If I’m in court, I prepare my listed cases. If I’m in a review role I complete some of my allocated work.

Review days are spent working on my allocated cases. Each week I’m allocated a mix of cases for charging authority, where people are on bail or under investigation along with anticipated ‘not guilty’ plea matters. One of my roles is to prosecute the ‘not guilty’ plea court – this also means fully preparing the cases as well as prosecuting them in court.

When charging cases, I often have to set an action plan for the officer before I can authorise charges. These cases remain with me and, when a response is received, I review the case again to make sure that there’s a realistic prospect of a conviction. There are cases where I advise no further action as well as giving charging authority. As a senior crown prosecutor, I make my own casework decisions by applying The Code for Crown Prosecutors and always endorse my thought process on each case. I also ‘red charge’ at least once weekly – this is where someone is in custody at the police station and the Crown Prosecution Service must give statutory authority. The nature of these cases is vast and varied and we’re limited on decision-making time. It’s essential that I can think on my feet and correctly apply the law and policies in all cases, but ‘red’ cases add that extra pressure – something that we prosecutors appear to thrive on!

On ‘duty lawyer’ days I deal with queries from agent prosecutors, defence and internal colleagues for cases listed the next day. I attend training courses, mentor new colleagues and I’m also a Criminal Behaviour Order specialist in my team - one of four senior crown prosecutors who work closely with a specialist team of police officers to try and prevent repeat antisocial behaviour by seeking appropriate court orders.

My biggest learning

I’ve learnt that I can do it! I can achieve my goals and dreams – and so can you! It might take time, but nothing is impossible. I used to joke that I was the oldest trainee solicitor in history but I’m here in a role that I genuinely love. Are there difficult days? Yes. Do I have a good work support network? Absolutely. Are there lots of opportunities within the Crown Prosecution Service to try out different teams and roles? Without a doubt. I can genuinely say, even on those difficult days, that I’m proud of what I do and my learning, no matter how big or small, will continue throughout my career.