Gordon Stables

Gordon’s practice focuses on homicide, attempted murder, serious violence, firearms, organised crime, serious sexual offences, fraud and other complex criminal litigation.  He is instructed in substantial Crown Court cases as leading junior, led junior and sole counsel, frequently involving multiple defendants, extensive disclosure, expert evidence and challenging legal issues. He is equally at home acting for the prosecution and defence and is recognised for the quality of his advocacy, forensic preparation and strategic judgment.

Gordon is a CPS Grade 4 Prosecutor and a member of the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Panel. He is regularly instructed in cases of national significance and has advised on charge, evidence and trial strategy in some of the most serious prosecutions in recent years. His recent work includes:

• Prosecuting, led by King’s Counsel, the high-profile murder of Harvey Willgoose, arising from the fatal stabbing of a schoolboy at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield following a six-week trial.
• Prosecuting, led by King’s Counsel, the murder of Richard Dyson, involving the discovery of the victim’s dismembered body concealed in concrete and extensive firearms evidence.
• Leading the prosecution in a substantial Rotherham child sexual exploitation case resulting in convictions and sentences of 20 and 18½ years’ imprisonment.
• Leading the prosecution in what was then the largest prison contraband conspiracy prosecuted in the United Kingdom, involving 19 defendants and a five-month trial.
• Prosecuting organised crime group cases involving multiple shootings, firearms and serious violence.
• Defending in murder, attempted murder, manslaughter and firearms cases, including securing acquittals in cases that initially appeared overwhelming.

Recent cases

R v CW & KS: Led by Peter Moulson KC, prosecuted Christopher Wright, a farmer who shot and dismembered his lodger, and his lifelong friend Karl Schwalbe who helped him dispose of the body. Wright, 73, was convicted of murder and Schwalbe, 72, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice. Wright was also found guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, preventing a lawful burial and six firearms offences. Wright was sentenced to 35 years for murder and Schwalbe was given a three year sentence for perverting the course of justice. The case has received significant media coverage including the BBC, the Guardian, London Evening Standard, the Independent, the Metro, and Sky News.

Prosecuted together with Richard Thyne KC in a 6-week long trial before Mrs Justice Ellenbogen the 15-year-old Sheffield schoolboy convicted of murdering 15-year-old Harvey Willgoose, another pupil, he stabbed at All Saints Catholic High School during their lunch break on 3rd February 2025. The case has received significant media coverage including Sky News, the BBC, ITV, the Guardian, the Times, the Daily Mail and the CPS Yorkshire and Humberside website.

R v Absolom Sigiyo, Romulad Houphouet & Jacek Brzozwski (March 2025): Prosecuted in a 5-week trial at Sheffield Crown Court for a number of offences including rape over a period of six months. Sentenced to 20 years and 18-and-a-half years respectively. This case was reported in The Guardian, the Daily Mail, Sky News, the CPS and various other news outlets.

R v Hassan Mohammed (April 2024): Prosecuted a man for weapons and drugs offences. Convicted and received an 11 year sentence. The case was reported in the Sheffield Star.

R v Daniel Astley (Nov 2022): Secured the acquittal of this man on a charge of murder. The jury accepted the manslaughter charge that he admitted.

R v CG (Oct 2022): Prosecuted this man on child sex offences.  Convicted.

R v RS (Oct 2022): Secured the acquittal of this man on weapon charge.

R v PM (Aug 2022): Prosecuted this man on child sex offences. Convicted and received an extended 25 year sentence.

R v Philip Gregory (Aug 2022): Prosecuted this man on fraud charges. Convicted.

R v LW (July 2022): Prosecuted this man on sex offences and offences of violence against his partner. Convicted. 18 years imprisonment

R v MK (June 2022) Prosecuted this man in relation to serious violence and sex offences. Extended sentence of 20 years.

R v RG (May 2022): Prosecuted this man for sex offences against children. Convicted. 12 years imprisonment.

R v France (May 2022): Defended a man charged with the historic sexual abuse of two children. The case received national coverage on the BBC and ITV as well as Yorkshire Live, Hull Live and the websites of South Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Police.

Before coming to the Bar, Gordon served as an officer in the Royal Dragoon Guards following training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He held command and staff appointments, sat on Court Martial Boards and represented soldiers during military disciplinary proceedings.

That experience gives him a detailed understanding of military structures, culture, discipline and decision-making. He has represented service personnel in Courts Martial and service-related proceedings and is particularly well placed to advise and represent members of the Armed Forces in criminal and disciplinary matters.

Alongside his serious-crime practice, Gordon has extensive experience in fraud and regulatory litigation. He has acted in substantial fraud cases involving complex financial, documentary and expert evidence, together with environmental, trading standards and regulatory prosecutions.

His analytical background, coupled with a degree in Engineering Science from the University of Oxford, enables him to master large volumes of technical and documentary material quickly and effectively.

He is also instructed in inquests and coronial proceedings, particularly where proceedings involve complex factual, scientific or medical evidence.

Gordon was appointed a Recorder in 2023 and is authorised to sit in both Family and Crime. He holds a Class 2 Crime ticket. He regularly presides in challenging criminal and family cases and brings his extensive advocacy experience to judicial decision-making.

As Head of St John’s Buildings’ Sheffield Criminal Team, he leads a large criminal team on the North-Eastern Circuit. He combines substantial trial experience with proven leadership and management skills developed through military service, professional practice and judicial office.

• Recorder (Crime)
• Recorder (Family)
• Class 2 Crime Ticket
• Head of Criminal Team, Sheffield, St John’s Buildings
• CPS Grade 4 Prosecutor
• Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Panel Member
• Pupil Supervisor
• Called to the Bar (Lincoln’s Inn), 1995
• Former Officer, Royal Dragoon Guards
• Engineering Science, University of Oxford