Sophie Johnstone

EXPERTISE

Sophie is developing a strong defence practice and has an emerging reputation for approaching cases with a tactical eye, advancing legal arguments and leaving no stone unturned to secure results. Sophie is a determined advocate who understands the importance of providing outstanding client care to both her lay and professional client. Sophie has experience in preparing for trials at short notice and has an ability to sift through and analyse complex evidence to devise a clear case strategy for her clients.

Sophie defends in a variety of matters in the Crown Court including offences of serious violence, false imprisonment, sexual offences including rape, assault by penetration and historic cases, drug offences (including production, cultivation and possession with intent to supply), complex fraud and acquisitive offences. Sophie also has an interest in motoring offences, particularly where serious injury and life changing injury is sustained. Sophie regularly prosecutes and is a Grade 3 Prosecutor. Sophie has experience dealing with vulnerable witnesses and has also completed specific Youth Court training and welcomes instructions of this nature.

In addition to her criminal practice, Sophie has a growing regulatory practice, frequently appearing for the local authority in private prosecutions covering various offences. Sophie has also been instructed to represent defendants in these matters. Sophie enjoys the challenge of grappling with niche areas of law.

Sophie also welcomes instructions of an advisory nature as part of her practice and has previously been instructed to advise on judicial review and an appeal by way of case stated. Sophie understands the importance of extensive legal analysis and produces high quality written work.

Over and above her criminal practice, Sophie is also regularly instructed by the Police force in relation to applications for Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, Sexual Risk Orders, Domestic Violence Protection Orders and Confiscation proceedings. Sophie has also represented the Insolvency Service.

APPOINTMENTS

CPS Grade 3 Prosecutor

ARTICLES

Sophie has a particular interest in cases involving dangerous dogs. Sophie has represented individuals in cases of this type and has successfully argued against the imposition of destruction orders and contingent destruction orders.
“The Ban on American XL bully dogs – a disproportionate reaction or a necessary response?”

EDUCATION

Newcastle University LLB Hons (2.1)
Northumbria University, Bar Professional Training Course (Very Competent) with LLM (Distinction)

AWARDS/EXTRA-CURRICULAR

BPP, Advocate of the Year, Winner (2018)
Newcastle University Client Negotiating, sponsored by DWF (runner up)
Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) Regional Negotiation Competition

MEMBERSHIPS

The Honourable Society of Middle Temple

Expertise

Clerking team

Liam Gorman

Lead Criminal & Regulatory Clerk

0191 245 9521

Chloe Lau

Criminal & Regulatory Clerk

0191 245 9550

Edward Shepherd

Criminal & Regulatory Clerk

0191 245 9542

Chris Gibbin

Criminal & Family Clerk

01642 247 569

Paul McNab

Lead Housing, Personal Injury & Public Law Clerk

0113 3235 955

Lisa Tyczynska

Employment Clerk

0113 3235 955

What Others Say
Notable Cases

"very calming, attentive, understanding and knowledgeable"

Lay client
"The usual outcome of these prosecutions is a custodial sentence and I am delighted by this result for our client. I was really pleased to work with Sophie on this case, who meticulously prepared and provided eloquent submissions in court. She has been integral in securing the result for the client."

Elliott Kenton, Weightmans Solicitors

R v B [2026] Junior counsel led by Simon Russell Flint KC. Defence of client charged with manslaughter. Involved the alleged infliction of a single blow to the stomach of the deceased. Causation remained a live issue and the defence of ‘rough horseplay’ was ventilated; whether the infliction of force was consented to by the deceased, such rendering it lawful or otherwise, and whether the defendant had any intent to cause injury. After a 9-day trial unanimously acquitted after 48 minutes.
R v V & Ors [2025] Junior counsel led by Michael Magarian KC. Defence of 19 year client charged with murder. Prosecution was one of joint enterprise. Case involved heavily analysis of SOE including CCTV and telephonic evidence and potential deployment of covertly obtained material. Successful acquittal of both Murder and Manslaughter. Client retained his previous good character.

R v S [2025] Represented 25 year old defendant charged with assault by digital penetration of complainant whilst asleep and two counts of witness intimidation. Involved the pre-recorded examination of the complainant, with the defence case focusing on the consumption of alcohol and drugs on the night of the incident and discrepancies within the complainant’s account. Defendant unanimously acquitted of all counts.
R v B [2025] Unanimous acquittal of client charged with rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent after a 6 day trial at Teesside Crown Court. Successful submission of no case to answer at close of prosecution case on a count of false imprisonment. Case involved exploring text messages sent by the complainant in the time preceding the allegations. 24 year old client retained previous good character.
R v L [2025] Defending in case involving a series of serious sexual offences involving children, blackmail and perverting the course of justice. After a section 28 hearing, the prosecution offered no evidence in respect of one contentious count of causing a child to engage in penetrative sexual activity.
R v H [2025] Represented a 21-year-old client charged with rape who was unanimously acquitted after a 7-day trial.
R v B [2024] Successfully prosecuted defendant charged with sexual assault of a female in a nightclub.
R v L [2024] Represented a defendant who was charged with voyeurism, stalking involving fear of violence and various assaults.
R v S [2024] Represented the Crown for sentence of a defendant who had pleaded to various offences involving sexual communication with a child and attempt to cause a child to engage in and watch sexual activity.
R v WG [2024] Represented a defendant who was in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, historically having breached the Order 17 times previously. Successfully mitigated and persuaded the Court to impose a custodial sentence of only 10 months.
R v T [2024] Represented a defendant for sentence for offences relating to indecent images of children. Successfully argued for the imposition of a suspended sentence order.

R v H [2025] Secured unanimous jury acquittal of her client charged with inflicting GBH and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The incident arose after two female complainants approached defendant and his partner who were walking home after a night out. An altercation ensued resulting in each complainant sustaining various injuries. Defendant argued that he was acting in self-defence.
R v W [2024] Defending client charged with section 20 unlawful wounding which involved the biting of the victim’s ear such to render the victim permanently disfigured. Client was ultimately sentenced to 22 months imprisonment.
R v S [2024] Defending at trial for racially aggravated section 47 assault occasioning actual bodily harm against the defendant’s neighbour. The defendant was ultimately convicted after trial, but carefully advanced mitigation resulted in the defendant only receiving a fine at sentence.
R v D [2024] Successful prosecution of an assault by beating in relation to an ongoing neighbour dispute.
R v F [2024] Represented a defendant who pleaded guilty to two breaches of a restraining order and an assault on an emergency worker. Defendant was ultimately sentenced to 5 months imprisonment.
R v B [2024] Defence sentenced for a robbery and possession of a bladed article. Successfully argued against dangerousness. Defendant was sentenced to 4 years and 4 months imprisonment.

R v R [2024] Representation of an Albanian national for cultivation of cannabis. Secured a custodial sentence of only 6 months for the offending.
R v K [2024] Represented an Albanian national who was convicted of cultivation of cannabis. Advanced mitigation resulting in the defendant being sentenced to an immediate custodial sentence of only 8 months.
R v K [2024] Appeared on behalf of the Crown for sentence for offences of possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs.

R v S [2025] Defence of client charged with conspiracy to defraud and fraud by false representation. Defendant was part of a wider Organised Criminal Group who were involved in courier fraud and impersonation of police officers. Client was ultimately sentenced to 45 months imprisonment.
R v H [2025] Defended an individual charged with burglary and high value theft (totalling over £140,000) of a commercial premises.
R v C [2024] Successful prosecution of an individual charged with fraud by false representation (approximate lost in the region of £300,000)

R v M [2024] Represented a young defendant charged with an offence of causing serious injury by careless driving. The injured party sustained life changing injuries and possible amputation of the lower limb. Successfully secured the imposition of a community order.
R v D [2024] Represented a defendant at trial for an offence of careless driving. The defendant was a man of good character. Successful submission of no case to answer saw the Court formally dismissing the charge against the defendant at the close of the prosecution case.
R v F [2024] Defence sentence involving successfully arguing against the imposition of an immediate driving ban for a defendant charged with being in charge of a vehicle, despite having a relevant previous conviction. The defendant’s license was endorsed with 10 points instead of a disqualification.
R v M [2024] Defence sentence successfully arguing exceptional hardship.
R v K [2024] Prosecution of a man charged with failing to provide a specimen. The defendant argued he had an acute needle phobia and instructed an expert to support his case. The trial focussed heavily on the evidence of the expert. Successful cross examination of expert to elicit that the defendant could have provided a specimen, despite his contentions regarding the phobia, and that provision of a specimen may have caused some anxiety. The defendant was convicted after trial.
P v S [2024] Defence sentence of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. A suspended sentence order was imposed.

R v G [2024] (appellant) Appeal against sentence – successfully argued against the imposition of a mandatory 6-month minimum sentence for possession of a weapon. The appellant received a community order in the alternative.
R v R [2024] (appellant) Appeal against sentence - successfully argued a reduction in length of custodial sentence to reflect historical compliance with a suspended sentence order.
R v M [2024] (appellant) Appeal against sentence – successfully argued for a reduction in fines imposed in the Magistrates Court from £1554 to £252. Successfully argued against the imposition of costs.
R v C [2024] (appellant) Appeal against sentence – successfully argued that the terms and length of a restraining order were disproportionate in line with case law.