Solicitor acted for Vincent Tabak

Who? Ian Kelcey, 60, criminal solicitor-advocate and senior partner at Bristol firm Kelcey & Hall.

Why is he in the news? He represented Vincent Tabak, the Dutch engineer found guilty last week of the murder of Bristol landscape architect Jo Yeates. After Tabak’s conviction, it emerged that evidence, not seen by the jury, revealed Tabak kept internet pornography showing violence against women, including images of men holding their hands around women’s necks during sex and pictures of women tied up in car boots.

Thoughts on the case: ‘I knew from an early stage that this would be a difficult and tactically challenging case. We had to conduct it with a degree of secrecy in the office and make sure everything was securely locked away. The pressure on all of us was 24/7. If [the pornography evidence] had gone in, there is no doubt it would have prejudiced his right to a fair trial. The judge conducted the case impeccably. Tabak can have no complaints about the ­fairness of the process.

‘This case involved a very narrow issue - what was Tabak’s intent in those fatal few moments?’

Kelcey said the defence pathologist showed there was limited pressure on the neck, and death could have occurred within 15-20 seconds possibly from heart failure. ‘While the prosecution had said there were 43 injuries on Miss Yeates’ body, the defence pathologist showed that many of these were caused after her death.’

Dealing with the media: ‘Of the cases I’ve done, this has had the most intense media interest. I was very concerned that the media had overstepped the mark on a number of occasions. We regularly had to correct inaccurately reported details and made several complaints to the attorney general regarding contempt of court.

'The media attention was too intrusive - photographers were taking pictures of jurors and everyone in the queue to get into the court. I think it was a mistake for the local authority and the police to put up barriers that gave the press a grandstand. Questions need to be asked, not only about the media’s behaviour, but about how some information got into their hands in the first place.’

Why become a lawyer? ‘I did law A-level and realised I could help those who are less privileged get access to justice. I fear about that now.’

Career high: ‘Years ago, I acted for a drug addict who had lost his way and become estranged from his family. We spent a lot of time talking. Four years later he came into my office with his wife and baby to say thank you.’