keith@bettssol.co.uk

Telephone: 07740 2574762

Keith is a Higher Court Advocate (Criminal) and appears regularly in the Crown Court, being a member of Perren Buildings, a specialist chambers for solicitor advocates.

He is currently being led by Queens Counsel in a lengthy fraud case.

Keith has successfully appeared in the Court of Appeal before The Lord Chief Justice and with over 20 years experience in Criminal Litigation, he is both the Practice Principal and Head of the Serious Fraud Team.

Keith is a Specialist Fraud Panel Supervisor, Member of the Criminal Law Solicitors Association, Law Society and Solicitors Association for Higher Court Advocates.
Originally based in Dover, Keith has developed over the years extensive periods of Customs-related offences, seizures and haulage-related matters. Keith has developed an extensive network of contacts throughout Europe dealing regularly with large-scale international drug importations, firearms importations and other serious international crimes.

steve@bettssol.co.uk

Telephone: 07738 545350

Steve Tarleton was admitted as a Solicitor in 1988. He has extensive experience as a Criminal Advocate in the Magistrates Court and Youth Court. He is a Duty Solicitor, regularly advising clients in police stations across the South-East of England and elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

His cases cover a broad spectrum of criminal offences from minor road traffic matters to murders. Steve is a Member of the Law Society and Criminal Law Solicitors Association.

Steve has been well-known and respected throughout the Magistrates Court and police stations in Kent for many years. Steve is Head of the Summary Offences/Custody Team.

will@bettssol.co.uk

Telephone: 07595 056212

Will joins Betts & Co. after many years working for the Crown Prosecution Service both in Kent and in Essex.

Whilst working for the Crown Prosecution Service, Will developed an extensive knowledge of Criminal Litigation. His duties included appearing as a Associate Prosecutor, giving him considerable advocacy experience.

Will provides strong support to the whole team and his experience working with the Crown Prosecution Service has proved an invaluable addition to our practice.

jackie@bettssol.co.uk

Telephone: 07753 724025

Jackie Hearne was a former Probation Officer in inner-London before joining the Defence Team of two major well-known London Criminal Defence firms.

Jackie has worked in all areas of Criminal Defence for the past 20 years and has dealt with clients accused of murder, rape, robbery, large-scale drug importation, firearm importation and money laundering. Jackie has travelled throughout Europe, undertaking enquiries on behalf of clients accused of serious offences.

Jackie is a Senior Case Manager and is now Head of our Crown Court Litigation Team.

laura@bettssol.co.uk

Laura Wright joined Betts & Co Solicitors some three years ago in an administrative/secretarial role.

During the past three years, she has built up an extensive knowledge of the workings of the Criminal Justice System and has recently decided to put that knowledge to good use working as a Litigation Assistant in support of the whole team.

malcolm@bettssol.co.uk

Malcolm Wilkinson has many years experience of Criminal Litigation, preparing cases at all levels and representing clients at the police station following their initial arrest.

In the past few years, Malcolm has separately qualified as a Specialist able to provide advice and representation to clients on all aspects of detention, categorisation and Parole Board hearings.

Malcolm travels all over the United Kingdom advising prisoners on their rights. Malcolm heads up our Prison Law team.

mefo@bettssol.co.uk

Mefo Philips is a Crown Court Case Manager and provides valuable assistance to the Crown Court team in preparing cases, taking instructions from clients and attending Court with Trial Counsel.

Previously employed by a major Kent firm, Mefo has many years experience in Criminal Litigation which she puts to good use.