Andrea Mason

Andrea Mason QC was Justin Burton's defence barrister during his trial for the murder of Stephen Mackintosh in November 2005. Macki had been fatally stabbed in August 2005, but in self-defence by Ali Taylor following months of racially-motivated bullying towards himself and sister Darlene Taylor. Ali was struck by a car fleeing the scene and died in hospital as Justin attempted to hide the knife, which was discovered days later by D.S. Simpson.
Mason visited Justin in prison days before his trial, telling him that the evidence against him was circumstancial as there were no actual witnesses to the stabbing, and she'd be able to cross-examine his family who were witnesses for the prosecution. During the trial, Mason first questioned Macki's friend Simon Jones, contrasting his positive description of Macki with a video of Macki attacking Ali. Whilst Justin's biological family protested his innocence, step-sister Darlene was adamant that Justin was guilty and Ali innocent. After Justin's former cellmate Dean testified with claims that Justin had confessed, prosecution barrister Jonathan Earnshaw attempted to make Justin's relationship with teacher Becca Dean - his character witness - appear inappropriate.
However, things took a sudden turn when - continuing to receive racially-motivated abuse from Macki's friends - Darlene confessed to having witnessed Ali stab Macki. In her closing statement, Mason pointed out that Darlene had attempted to protect the memory of her brother, who had the strongest motive to kill Macki. Justin was ultimately found not guilty.
== List of appearances ==
=== 2005 ===
*11th November 2005
*14th November 2005
*15th November 2005
*16th November 2005
*17th November 2005
*18th November 2005
Category:Hollyoaks characters
Category:2005 minor characters
Category:Barristers