Garden Court North Chambers
Garden Court North Chambers
T: 0161 817 6377 E: gcn@gcnchambers.co.uk

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

News

A pro-Kurdistan protest in St Peter's Square, Manchester, in January 2026. Credit: AS Photo Family / Shutterstock.

News

Judicial review settled after Tasaddat Hussain secures permission to challenge refusal of initial claim for vulnerable client

Tasaddat has secured permission to appeal on behalf of his client, a vulnerable man who fled Iraqi Kurdistan to seek asylum in the UK.

Garden Curt North's Anna Morris KC (pictured) delivered the closing submission to Module 10 of the Covid-19 Inquiry earlier today (5 March 2026). Credit: Covid-19 Inquiry / YouTube.

News

Covid-19 Inquiry: Tenth and final module draws to a close

Garden Curt North's Anna Morris KC delivered the closing submission to Module 10 of the Covid-19 Inquiry on behalf of the bereaved families.

Garden Court North's Mira Hammad and Rosalind Burgin represented two of the co-defendants at Newcastle Crown Court (pictured) during the eight-day jury trial. Credit: Duncan Andison / Shutterstock.

News

Mira Hammad and Rosalind Burgin deliver closing speeches in jury trial over factory protest

Garden Court North's Mira Hammad and Rosalind Burgin represented two co-defendants at Newcastle Crown Court during the eight-day jury trial.

The Lampard Inquiry is chaired by Baroness Kate Lampard CBE (pictured). Credit: Lampard Inquiry / YouTube.

News

Lampard Inquiry hears two weeks of evidence from bereaved families and friends

Garden Court North’s Anna Morris KC, Ciara Bartlam and Lily Lewis represent INQUEST at the ongoing Lampard Inquiry.

Sign up to our mailing list

Our mailing list is dedicated to professionals with an interest in our work.

Sign up