Sarah Regan

Recent cases

R v JF (Bristol CC 2023) Represented D acquitted of rape involving the removal of a condom during consensual sex. Multiple disclosure issues and novel s. 41 point.

R v WS (Bristol CC 2023) Prosecuted D accused of rape and sexual assault. D and all 3 prosecution witnesses required assistance of intermediary. Sentenced to 12 years.

R v LP (Bristol CC 2023) Represented D charged with 5 allegations of rape on ex- partner. Voluminous messages used to show C manipulated the process. Acquitted of all counts.

Operation Harley (Bristol CC 2022) Prosecuted a number of those charged with riot arising from the Kill the Bill protests.

R v BS (Bristol CC 2022) Represented D acquitted of s. 18 and s. 20 when a single punch resulted in life changing injuries

R v RM (Bristol CC 2022) Prosecuted D now aged 84 for historical sexual offences against 4 members of his family.

R v CG (Taunton CC 2022) Prosecuted D for the rape of 2 of his daughters, who were 9 and 12 and the sexual assault of a family friend. Sentenced to 23 years imprisonment.

R v LG (Bristol CC 2021) Defended mother who posted a video of her attempting to smother 2-week-old child. Sentenced to a community order with a Mental Health Treatment Requirement.

R v A D & others (Bristol CC 2021) Prosecuted 4 defendants for trafficking and exploiting Romanian women & subsequent POCA proceedings.

R v LB & Others (Bristol CC 2021) Instructed as leading counsel for the first defendant who was acquitted of multiple counts of child cruelty in relation to two nurseries run by her for over twenty years.

R v SB (Bristol CC 2021) Represented D who was acquitted of the rape of a young woman staying in his home. He could not remember what happened because he was drunk, and DNA evidence supported her case.

R v IO (Bristol CC 2020) Prosecuted D for (stranger) rape & sexual assault on 2 women. Sentenced to 16 years extended sentence.

R v MH (Bristol Crown Court 2020) represented D charged with inflicting life changing injuries on a 3-week-old child. Argued successfully for a non-custodial sentence.

R v LC (Bristol CC 2020) Prosecuted D for offences of rape (found on films on his phone), sexual assault and coercive & controlling behaviour against 2 women. Sentenced to 16 years.

R v JO (Bristol CC 2019) Prosecuted D in respect of 15 offences of rape (by deception) arising from his use of fake social media accounts to threaten the victim. Sentenced to 23 years extended sentence.

R v J H (Bristol CC 2018) Successfully argued that D, who was already subject to an IPP for 2 offences of kidnap of a child, should receive a determinate sentence in respect of a third offence of kidnapping child on this occasion from a school following D’s escape from custody.

R v N W (Bristol CC 2018) Prosecuted D who was represented by a silk and convicted of offences of serious sexual assaults on men he deceived and drugged. Sentenced to 20 ½ years extended sentence and leading case re need for expert evidence to determine significant harm (R v. Chall & others (2019) EWCA Crim 865).

Recommendations

“Sarah is a great advocate. She beautifully presented the case but was unstintingly fair”

“She is elegant in front of the jury and gives elegant submissions in front of the judge”

Chambers and Partners 2024

‘‘Sarah is always fantastically well-prepared. Her grasp of the intimate detail of any case is staggeringly good; she is a master of detail.”

Legal 500 2024

“Sarah is an extremely thoughtful and confident advocate.”

“She is particularly good with vulnerable witnesses and defendants.”

“Her cross-examination and closing speeches are textbook.”

“Sarah is compassionate, intelligent and perceptive.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

‘Sarah is exceptionally well prepared and will leave no stone unturned. Her skills with the jury are invaluable.’

Legal 500 2023

“A powerful junior advocate with a heavyweight criminal practice. She is a thoughtful and impressive person who works extremely hard and has a real edge to her. She also has the compassion needed to do the more sensitive work.” “She is an expert in cross-examining children and vulnerable people.”

Chambers and Partners 2022

Lectures

Sarah has lectured on advocacy on behalf of Lincoln’s Inn and to state-school pupils as a member of the Bar Council’s Speakers for Justice Project. She is a Western Circuit facilitator for delivering training in respect of vulnerable witnesses and advises and lectures the police and prosecutors on best practice in respect of vulnerable witnesses.

Education

Professional memberships

Appointments