First Prison Team
Matthew Aldwinckle
Senior Solicitor and Head of Prison Law
Matthew has been with First Defence since their inception in 2005.He attended De Montfort University where he studied Law and Human Resource Management and obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Law with commendation. Having completed his training contract in Ipswich Matthew moved to Bedford in 2000 and worked for 4 years with another local firm before joining Pictons criminal law team, who became First Defence in June 2005.
Matthew has 10 years of criminal law experience, practicing in the Magistrates court for 7 years before deciding to specialise in Prison Law. He holds supervisor status with the Legal Services Commission and is Institute of Prison Law qualified. Matthew has dealt with and had success in many varied cases within the prison law field including IPP parole and recall appeals, lifer parole applications, adjudications and judicial reviews.
Rebecca Caves
Paralegal
Rebecca is a paralegal in our Prison Law department, based at the Bedford office. She is able to assist and advise prisoners with regard to Home Detention Curfews, recalls, recategorisation, adjudications and parole hearings. Rebecca received an A Level in Law and joined the firm in 2012. Rebecca is a hard working and ambitious individual and plans to also become a Police Station Representative.