Gaylene Coles was called to the Bar in 2023 having previously qualified as a solicitor in 2011. Since 2019, Gaylene has appeared as a Higher Court Advocate appearing daily in Crown Court. In 2023 Gaylene was granted a full exemption by the Bar Standards Board to practise as a barrister.

Gaylene has considerable advocacy defending in Magistrates Court, Youth Court and Crown Court on a wide range of offences including robbery; burglary; theft; stalking; harassment; violent offences; serious drug offences; public order offences; and sexual assault.

She has a reputation as being diligent and tenacious and has a particular interest in cases where care is needed with vulnerable and young defendants.

Recent case examples:

• R v D – Southampton Crown Court 2024: Allegation of sexual assault. Not guilty verdict.
• R v B – Southampton Crown Court (2024): Allegations of assault occasioning bodily harm on three occasions in a domestic context. Not guilty verdicts.
• R v O – Southampton Crown Court (2024): Allegation of intentional strangulation in domestic context. Not guilty verdict.
• R v N – Winchester Crown Court (2024): Allegations of assault on emergency workers. Guilty plea and sentence under Mental Health Act.
• R v A – Southampton Youth Court (2023): Allegations of sexual assault by penetration. Not guilty verdicts
• R v SA – Portsmouth Crown Court (2023): Allegation of assault occasioning bodily harm by defendant protecting his home. A successful submission of no case to answer was made.
• R v W – Portsmouth Crown Court (2023): Allegation of assault occasioning bodily harm in domestic context. Not guilty verdict.
• R v B (&others) – Southampton Crown Court (2023): Allegations of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. Guilty plea sentenced to a suspended sentence.
• R v S 2022 – Southampton Crown Court. Allegation of blackmail. Guilty plea sentenced to a suspended sentence order.