R v Richard Burrows
Mark Connor led Jemma Gordon in prosecuting a paedophile who spent 27 years on the run in Thailand after stealing another man's identity. Richard...
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Alexa specialises in criminal law, defending and prosecuting in the Crown and Youth Court.
Alexa joined St John’s Buildings after successfully completing pupillage supervised by Debra White.
Alexa has had successful appearances in the Court of Appeal and the High Court. She successfully defended in the Court of Appeal against a sentence imposed 4 years previously. In the High Court, she successfully appealed the decision of the Lower Court to activate the 7-year period in default for a Proceeds of Crime Act case, securing the client’s immediate release.
Recent/ongoing instructions include:
- Rape and serious sexual offences
- Historic sexual offences
- Serious violence including grievous bodily harm and wounding with intent
- Drug conspiracy and related offences
- Firearms offences
Alexa is experienced in being a Led Junior in the Crown Court. She was led during the high-profile case of Richard Burrows in Chester Crown Court, where she was instructed to complete drafting in a complex, multi-faceted case. This case was widely reported on, with high levels of sensitivity.
Alexa has also been led defending in a multi-complainant rape trial, securing an acquittal on all counts.
Alexa has completed the Advocacy for Vulnerable People and Children training.
Alexa is a CPS Grade 2 Prosecutor.
Crown Court & appeals
Cases
R v F&P (2025): Secured an acquittal on day two of trial after the Crown offered no evidence to a knife point robbery offence.
R v Richards Burrows (2025): Led by Phillip Clemo, represented the defendant, a paedophile who spent 27 years on the run in Thailand after stealing another man’s identity. He was charged with 97 offences, including dozens of historical child sexual abuse offences. This case was reported on the BBC, Sky News, Daily Express, Guardian, and other various news outlets.
Drury v DPP (2024): Successful appeal in the High Court setting aside an order to activate the 7 year default period for POCA enforcement.
R v Louis (2024): Led by Phillip Clemo, represented the defence in a case in which three independent complainants all accused the defendant of violent rapes and associated offending. A jury sitting at Chester Crown Court acquitted the defendant of all 17 counts unanimously on the indictment.
R v F (2023): Successfully defended a client in a trial against a count of s.18 grievous bodily harm.
R v S (2023): Secured an acquittal after Crown Court trial in relation to a production of cannabis case.
R v H (2022): Successfully mitigated for a suspended sentence for a defendant who pleaded guilty to two counts of ABH, including one count of biting and strangulation, and one count involving use of a pavement as a weapon.
R v E (2022): Defended in the Magistrates’ Court in a neighbourhood dispute.
R v S (2022): Defended an appeal against sentence in the Crown Court.
R v M (2022): Secured a sentence of imprisonment for an ABH of a mother and her four-week-old baby. The case was covered in the Daily Post.
R v L (2022): Secured an immediate custodial sentence for three assault offences, including assaults against police officers. The case was covered on Leader Live.
R v D (2022): Defended a dangerous driver at sentence, successfully mitigated for a suspended sentence. The case was covered in the Shropshire Star.
R v H (2022): Prosecuted a sex offender at sentence who was given an immediate custodial term. The case was covered in the Daily Post.
R v S (2022): Prosecuted at sentence a defendant guilty of assault by beating and breach of a restraining order, resulting in a sentence of 2 years and 3 months in custody. The case was covered in the Daily Post.
R v H (2022): Prosecuted a dangerous driver at sentence, who received a suspended custodial sentence.
