Garden Court North Chambers
Garden Court North Chambers
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Dean Johnstone sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years and six months after pleading guilty to murder

11 July 2025

Mr Johnstone was sentenced yesterday (10 July 2025) in Manchester Crown Court (pictured). Credit: Stephen Richard / Shutterstock.

Mr Johnstone was sentenced yesterday (10 July 2025) in Manchester Crown Court (pictured). Credit: Stephen Richard / Shutterstock.

 

Yesterday (10 July 2025), Dean Johnstone was sentenced to 17 years and six months’ imprisonment in Manchester Crown Court for the murder of Ms Karen Youdell.

Mr Johnstone, represented by Garden Court North’s Nina Grahame KC, was originally charged with attempted murder for inflicting serious brain damage on Ms Youdell during an assault in July 2023, which left her in a persistent vegetative state.

Ms Youdell’s compromised physical condition led to her death in May 2024, and Mr Johnstone’s was then charged with murder to which he pleaded guilty in April 2025.

He also pleaded guilty to non-fatal strangulation of Helen Drinkwater, his partner at the time.

Lisa Johnstone, Yvonne Johnstone, and Glen Nelson, all pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. Lisa Johnstone and Glen Nelson were jailed for 40 months, while Yvonne Johnstone was sent to prison for 27 months.

 

Nina Grahame KC led Jane Dagnall of St John’s Buildings, instructed by Claire Langton of Keith Dyson & Co.

 

Additional media

Greater Manchester Police – Man jailed for life for ‘brutal’ murder of woman in north Manchester

Manchester Evening News – The faces of a murderer and his associates who tried to help him get away with it

 

For further information, please contact Alex Blair, Communications Manager at Garden Court North Chambers: ablair@gcnchambers.co.uk

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