Katy Appleton

Year called: 2000 

Email Katy Appleton

Area of Expertise

Katy specialises in crime. Katy both prosecutes and defends.

Directories

‘Katy combines a calm determination to win every case with an outstanding work ethic. She is an intelligent lawyer and a fearsome cross-examiner.’

Ranked: Tier 3 (Legal 500 2025) (Crime Leading Juniors) 

Memberships

Lincolns Inn

Northern Circuit

Criminal Bar Association

Women in Criminal Law

Founder Member of Women in Criminal Law North West

Clerked by

Rachel Kehoe at Rachel.Kehoe@7HS.co.uk

Or alternatively email Clerks@7HS.co.uk

Practice Overview

Katy studied at Merchant Taylors Girls School before reading Law. Katy was called to the Bar by Lincolns Inn in 2000. Katy specialises in crime with more than 17 years’ experience. Katy both prosecutes and defends. Before returning to the Northern Circuit, Katy predominantly practised at the Central Criminal Court.

Notable/Recent Cases

Serious Organised Crime

Operation Perth – Murder of Ashley Dale, who was shot with a Skorpion sub-machine gun in her own home, Old Swan, in August 2022, the Attempted Murder of Lee Harrison and associated offences.

Operation Serve – Murder of Elle Edwards, who was shot with a Skorpion sub-machine gun at the Lighthouse Public House, Wirral, on Christmas Eve 2022, the Attempted Murder of Kieran Salkeld, the Attempted Murder of Jake Duffy and associated offences.

Operation Robin – Murder of 9 years’ old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, who was shot with a revolver in her home, Dovecot, in August 2022, the Attempted Murder of Joseph Nee and associated offences.

Operation Legato – Murder of 16 years’ old Rhamero West, who was stabbed in Old Trafford, Manchester, in September 2021.

Operation Accordion – Murder of Miguel Reynolds, who was shot with a 9mm Luger calibre semi-automatic pistol in Netherton, Liverpool, in 2018.

R v T & O – Murder of a gang leader arising from the ongoing feud between two rival Organised Crime Gangs, The Hackney Turks and The Tottenham Turks.

R v G & O – Contract killing. Britain’s youngest hitman convicted, following the acquittal of the estranged husband of the victim.

R v K & J – Gang land murder following a fight in Footlocker Store, Oxford Street, London.

R v L & O – Murder of a gang member arising from the ongoing feud between The Hackney Turks and The Tottenham Turks.

R v B – Attempted Murder following a drugs feud. The victim was stabbed through the eye socket with a screwdriver, sustaining a brain injury, which left him permanently disabled.

R v N & G – Murder of a gang member. The defendants were extradited from Jamaica.

 

 

Serious Crime

Operation Monopoly – Murder of 19 years’ old Matthew Daulby, who was stabbed in Ormskirk Town Centre in July 2023.

Operation Lambeth – Murder of Stuart Newton in Oswaldtwistle.

Operation Ector – Misconduct in a Judicial or Public Office and Sexual Assaults by a serving Police Officer upon Cadets and Cadet Leaders.

R v S – Possession of a Skorpion submachine gun, Possession of Explosive Device (hand grenade) and Possession of ammunition.

R v W & O – Assisting an Offender in the Murder of Police Constable Phillips.

R v V D & G – Murder. V D had a previous conviction for manslaughter and suffered from severe mental health issues. She admitted stabbing the victim to put him out of his misery, following an assault by G. Defence of Diminished Responsibility.

R v W – Murder. The victim was stabbed by the 15 years’ old defendant, after he had confronted youths for throwing conkers.

R v N – Murder. A prolonged and sustained hammer attack on the defendant’s disabled wife. Defence of Diminished Responsibility.

R v G & O – Murder. Injuries sustained to the victim included in excess of twenty stab wounds and eight hammer blows to the head.
R v C & O – Murder. Injuries sustained to the victim included in excess of eighteen stab wounds and five hammer blows to the head.

R v B & O – Murder. Stabbing. Revenge attack on a group of Albanian males.

R v K & Ors – Conspiracy to Possess a Firearm with Intent to cause fear of Violence.

R v R & Ors – Violent Disorder in HMP Wetherby.

R v S & P – s18 GBH. An unprovoked assault resulting in life threatening injuries.

R v N – s18 GBH. Stabbing. The victim sustained life threatening injuries. The case was stayed on application by the defence.

R v O – s18 GBH. The victim was left blinded by the attack.

R v N – Arson.

R v S – s18 GBH. A father lost control whilst caring for his newborn baby, causing catastrophic injuries.

R v C & O – Violent Disorder. The worst disorder inside a football stadium in Manchester for 18 years. Violence at a Europa League match between Manchester United fans and Liverpool FC fans.

R v D & O – Firearms and Supply of Class A drugs.

 

Drugs Offences

Operation Karma – Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs between Liverpool and Lincoln in 2023.

Operation Squirrel – Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs – County Lines.

Operation Overboard – Conspiracy to Supply Class A – Encrochat.

R v H & O – Conspiracy to Import & Supply Class A drugs into the United Kingdom.

R v S & O – Assisting in the Supply of Class A drugs, supplying over 3,280kg APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients).

R v E & O – Conspiracy to Steal Class B drugs and Conspiracy to commit Misconduct in Public Office. A serving police officer provided information to others, to enable them to break into cannabis factories.

R v A & O – Conspiracy to Import and Supply Class A drugs into the United Kingdom.

R v H & O – Conspiracy to Supply Class A & Class B drugs across Merseyside.

R v C & O – The use of a drone to convey Class A drugs into prison.

R v L – Possession with Intent to Supply a psychoactive substance, nitrous oxide.

 

Fraud and Theft Offences

R v P – Preventing a Lawful Burial and Benefit Fraud

R v C – Fraud. Busker who purported to collect money on behalf of Hillsborough victims and the charity Help the Heroes.

R v A & O – VAT Fraud. The London City Bond Fraud.

R v T – VAT Fraud.

R v K – Fraud and Theft from employer.

R v V – Benefit Fraud.

R v D – Robbery. A spree of robberies committed by the defendant, who suffered from severe mental health issues.

 

Rape and Serious Sexual Offences

R v G – Rapes and serious Sexual Offences against four university students across Manchester and Liverpool.

R v G – Rape and serious Sexual Offences.

R v A – Sexual Assaults upon a child.

R v H – Rape and Sexual Offences upon stepdaughter and her friend. The case was stayed on application by the defence.

R v H – Rape and Sexual Offences, involving hypnotising a schoolboy.

R v S – Rape upon a 4 years’ old family friend.

R v P – Sexual Offences upon niece and step nieces.

R v C – Grooming of an under-age girl for sexual intercourse. Snared by the group Hunters for Justice.