Francis McEntee joined 15 Winckley Square in July 2025 after a career spanning over 37 years in the the Crown Prosecution Service in Lancashire, Cumbria and Greater Manchester, during which time he prosecuted a range of the most complex, serious and sensitive cases.

Having successfully prosecuted his first murder trial as sole advocate in 2009 [R. v. M], the words of the mother of the victim in that case have served to reinforce Francis’s commitment to this important work, as she took his arm at the start of the trial and said: “All our faith is in you.”

In his role as the Principal Crown Advocate for the North West Francis has attained considerable experience in the prosecution of homicide trials, which have included denial of involvement in the killing [Operation Stetson 2024], cases turning on psychiatric evidence, or asserted self-defence or loss of control [Operation Aquarius 2024].

An ability to master large files comprising evidence from multiple sources has seen Francis develop a specialism in prosecuting Organised Crime Groups, having been the lead Prosecution Counsel in Lancashire for trials deploying Encrochat evidence, and more recently securing convictions in Operation Cove, a 28-defendant conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Known for the use of innovative means to simplify and present often extensive and detailed evidence, Francis has prosecuted conspiracies involving: sex trafficking [Operation Magician]; home invasion and shooting [Operation Brent]; immigration fraud [Operation Barva].

Consequent upon the convictions in many of these conspiracies, Francis has prosecuted a number of complex POCA applications, such as those involving disputes over hidden assets in multiple off-shore accounts and resulting in the recovery of substantial sums: over £1.75m in Operation Maple.

Francis is also a senior RASSO prosecutor, dealing with a range of serious sexual offences.

Whilst it is anticipated that Prosecution will remain the principal focus of his work, Francis sees the experience that he has acquired over the years as immediately transferable to the conduct of Defence work.