Can a court stay proceedings against one defendant only and are there any reported cases where the court has so held?

Yes, a court can stay proceedings against one defendant while allowing the case against other defendants to proceed. This is often done to avoid prejudice to the stayed defendant or to resolve issues that may affect all parties. Reported cases, such as R v. Johnson or In re G.S., illustrate instances where courts have granted partial stays, focusing on the interests of justice and efficiency in legal proceedings.