Dean
Easthope
Barrister | Called 2017
Practice Summary
Dean has a busy and varied practice, prosecuting and defending cases including complex conspiracies, murder, manslaughter, driving fatality, and serious sexual offending.
Having practised in the Crown Court for thirteen years as a Solicitor-Advocate before joining the Bar in 2016, Dean’s experience extends way beyond his Year of Call and also brings decades of experience to each case, and the well-rounded perspective that comes from understanding every agency of his profession. He understands all aspects of police investigations from arrest through to trial. He is adept at dealing with all types of clients, including those with mental health and personal difficulties. and youth defendants.
Dean has appeared as leading and led junior counsel defending a number of high-profile murder trials, and the prosecution of complex conspiracies to burgle and steal and also to supply class A drugs in county lines operations. His serious caseload involves understanding of a wide variety of expert witness evidence, including cell site analysis, drugs evidence, DNA evidence, facial and body mapping, forensic pathology, and ballistics.
Dean works predominantly on the Midlands Circuit, but also off circuit in appropriate cases. He has appeared at the Old Bailey, and enjoyed considerable success at the Court of Appeal.
Dean is a Grade 3 CPS Panel Advocate, and has experience of dealing with contested Proceeds of Crime hearings and applications.
Education
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of Birmingham
Dean‘s expertise
Criminal Law
Dean has particular skill and experience in dealing with vulnerable defendants, such as those with mental health issues, and witnesses in the most sensitive cases often requiring the use of intermediaries. He has completed specialist vulnerable witness training, and is experienced in s28 cases involving the pre-recording of evidence.
As well as the Crown Prosecution Service, Dean has also prosecuted on behalf of the Local Authority, Royal Mail, Probation Service and Environmental Agency.
Dean accepts instructions for both private and publicly funded work.
Court Martial & Prison Law
Dean has experience of conducting Court-Martial hearings including trials both in Court-Martial centres both in England and Germany, as well as Prison Disciplinary hearings including Adjudication Hearings and Parole Hearings.
Recent Notable Cases
R v VG (2026) – Birmingham Crown Court – prosecuting a National Crime Agency case involving possession of prohibited firearms, possession with intent to supply class b drugs, production of cannabis and abstraction of electricity. Conviction secured.
Operations Calafat, Broadsheet and Gander (2026) – Mold, Caernarfon & Shrewsbury Crown Court – prosecution of large-scale multi-handed conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to steal agricultural vehicles and machinery with linked cases originating in different counties in North Wales and Shropshire which was dealt with in Shrewsbury, Caernarfon and Mold Crown Courts, as well as subsequent Proceeds of Crime applications. This case involved 12 defendants and the value of the property stolen was approximately £10 million. Convictions secured.
Operation Priary (2025) – Stafford Crown Courts – giving pre-charge advice and being led by Michael Brady KC in prosecution of multi-handed conspiracy to steal high end motor vehicles, the value of which amounted to £1.8 million. This case involved 9 defendants who were all Lithuanian nationals. Convictions secured.
Operation Tekap (2025) – Wolverhampton Crown Court – defending in a 10-week multi-handed trial alleging conspiracy to commit aggravated burglaries, conspiracy to burgle, conspiracy to steal and possession of criminal property.
R v ES et al (2025) – Birmingham Crown Court – prosecution of multi-handed drug supply case investigated by National Crime Agency. Convictions secured at Birmingham Crown Court with defendants linked to similar supply networks in London.
R v AM (2025) – Wolverhampton Crown Court – defence of a defendant accused of attempted rape and other serious sexual offences against a 14 year old girl. Acquitted of the most serious offences including attempted rape.
R v JN (2024) – Wolverhampton Crown Court – Junior Defence Counsel led by Michelle Heeley KC defending 16 year-old accused of murder following a drug dispute. Month-long trial, defendant required an intermediary. The Defendant was acquitted of murder.
R v MM et al (2024) – Birmingham Crown Court – Junior Prosecution Counsel led by Michael Williams KC in a complex multi-handed county lines conspiracy to supply class A drugs and money laundering. Convictions secured.
R v JB (2024) – Wolverhampton Crown Court – Junior Defence Counsel in case alleging sexual offences, involving complex legal arguments on admissibility of similar offences. Acquitted.
R v DF et al (2024) – Shrewsbury Crown Court – prosecution of multi-handed money laundering case. Convictions secured.
R v MB et al (2024) – Wolverhampton Crown Court – defence of a defendant accused of three offences of Section 18 Assault involving allegations of stabbing.
Other Notable Cases
Murder
R v WM et al – Wolverhampton Crown Court – Led Junior.
R v NS – Stafford Crown Court – Led Junior. Convicted of manslaughter as an alternative to murder.
R v NT et al – Birmingham Crown Court – Led Junior – acquitted of murder.
Manslaughter
R v LH et al – Stafford Crown Court – Leading Junior.
Serious Sexual Offences
R v GJ – Shrewsbury Crown Court – Successful defence of defendant charged with rape.
R v WP – Shrewsbury Crown Court – Successful defence of foreign national defendant charged with attempted rape.
R v MF – Shrewsbury Crown Court – Successful defence of autistic defendant charged with 3 counts of rape and other offences of sexual assault, involving an autistic complainant necessitating an intermediary.
Serious Drugs Offences
R v NF – Shrewsbury Crown Court – Successful defence for a defendant charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs.
Professional Memberships
Criminal Bar Association
The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn
Crown Prosecution Service – Grade 3 Panel Member